How can I use an EncFS encrypted and mounted directory as the document root for Apache2?

Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
How can I use an EncFS encrypted and mounted directory as the document root for Apache2?
I am running Apache 2.4 under Ubuntu 18.04.
As I am working with sensible data I encrypted the files using EncFS. Mounting and accessing the directory works fine.
If I set the (mounted) directory as the document root in the /etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf browser access gives me:
/etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf
You don't have permission to access /index.php on this server.
/ver/log/apache2/error.log tells me:
/ver/log/apache2/error.log
(13)Permission denied: [client ::1:52572] AH00035: access to /index.php denied (filesystem path '/home/USER/Encfs/MOUNTED_DIRECTORY') because search permissions are missing on a component of the path
I set the permissions to rwxrwxrwx already and am running out of ideas to try.
rwxrwxrwx
By clicking "Post Your Answer", you acknowledge that you have read our updated terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy, and that your continued use of the website is subject to these policies.