Lower Austria is the kind of place that makes group trips easy: smooth bike paths for the chill riders, toothy climbs for the mountain goats, and lakeside sunsets for everyone in between. We rolled in as a mixed crew—gravel, e-gravel, MTB, and a steel stallion—and set basecamp in Lunz am See, where Refugium Lunz spoiled us with spa vibes and plates that looked like they’d been plated with a ruler. Pro tip for travel days: spin a lazy loop around Lunzer See and watch the mountains catch fire at dusk.

Day 1 — The Ribbon of Ybbstal (with a Plot Twist)

We eased in on the Ybbstal Radweg, a river-hugging ribbon from Lunz am See toward Waidhofen an der Ybbs—varied, scenic, and perfect for warming up not just legs but group rhythm. Castle spotters: keep your eyes peeled for Hollenstein an der Ybbs around the 30 km mark. Hungry riders: at ~58 km, Ybbsitz serves up a no-brainer lunch stop—Gasthof zum Goldenen Hirschen hit the spot.

Return options fork here: cruise back on the path, shuttle, or point the bikes at the hills. We, of course, chose the spice—and got served. A “looks-public” climb turned private near the top; a stern landowner and a U-turn later, we were rerouting through the valley, chalking it up to the price of exploring. By the time the computers read 108 km, lakeside dinner at Schlosstaverne tasted like a trophy—fresh local fish, feet up, story time.

Lower Austria | Mostviertel | Day 1

Accommodation: Refugium Lunz

Lunch: Gasthof zum Goldenen Hirschen

Dinner: Schlosstaverne

Day 2 — Into the Ötscher-Tormäuer: Gravel with a Skyline

The Ötscher Gravel Loop is Lower Austria’s greatest hits album: Erlauf River valley flats that beg for speed, a road climb that winds you into big-view country, and a national park backdrop that looks CGI’d. There are several ways to thread it—choose your own adventure without losing the plot.

Surface sampler? Road, gravel, rock, even swatches of grass—enough variety to keep everyone honest. Some pitches bite harder than they look, and our downhill delivered the classic “pssst” punchline. Pack a tube, plugs, and a pump; you’ll feel like a genius when someone needs them.

Fuel notes from our loop: refuel at Kartause Gaming and wrap it all with dinner at Zellerhof back in Lunz. Overnight remains Refugium Lunz because, well, legs love wellness.

Lower Austria | Ötscher Gravel Loop | Day 2

Accommodation: Refugium Lunz

Lunch: Karthause Gaming

Dinner: Zellerhof

Why this region works for mixed groups

• Terrain choice, every day: dedicated cycle paths for flow; gravel and mountain options for spice.
• Compact logistics: a single lakeside base with good food and wellness means less faff, more ride.
• Scenery per kilometer: castles, valleys, national park vistas—the sort of backdrop that makes even the “easy day” feel epic.