Sandl brings together several distinct reasons to visit: an easy circular trail with two possible starting points, winter cross-country skiing and an annual walking pilgrimage. There are also other trails, a destination at the observatory, and bus connections from Linz and Freistadt. To plan your visit, first decide what you want to focus on: for the Legends Trail, consider its route and length; for cross-country skiing, the snow conditions; and for bus travel, the current timetable. This will help you choose activities according to the experience you want and keep the relevant practical details in mind.

Trails and landmarks

The Legends Trail is an easy 3.7-kilometre circular route. You can start and finish either at the Hinterglas Museum or in the town centre, and the trail passes through a Natura 2000 protected area. As a circular route, it returns to your chosen starting point, so you do not need to plan a separate end point. Choosing between the Hinterglas Museum and the town centre gives you a specific starting point and place to return to. The trail’s name may also be a point of interest if you enjoy legends.

The Waldluftbadeweg trail leads through Sandl. The planets trail ends at the Prof. Wöss observatory in Sandl; Neptune and Pluto are located at the endpoint within the municipality. The two trails therefore differ in how they relate to the area: the Waldluftbadeweg runs through Sandl, while the observatory is the destination of the planets trail. Unlike the Legends Trail, which is a circular route, these trails offer a way to distinguish between a loop, a route through the town and a specific endpoint. Check the conditions on the planets trail before setting out.

Winter activities and indoor pool

Sandl offers around 25 kilometres of well-groomed cross-country ski trails. Whether you can use them depends on snow conditions, so check conditions before planning a tour. The Viehberglifte Sandl, also known as Schilifte Sandl, offer a ski school. Cross-country skiing and the ski school cater to different winter interests: circular trails on the one hand, and lessons at the lifts on the other. The Sandl indoor pool and sauna can be rented for private use. If you plan to use them privately, arrange your reservation in advance.

Pilgrimage and parish church

The Sandl parish community organizes a walking pilgrimage to Maria Trost (Dobrá Voda) every year. After extensive renovation work, Sandl Parish Church was ceremonially reopened on November 16, 2025. It is useful to distinguish between the two when considering the timing: the pilgrimage takes place every year, while the reopening is a dated event. Thus, a recurring religious tradition and a specific historical event sit alongside one another.

Getting there by bus

There is a direct bus connection from Linz Central Station to Sandl, as well as a bus connection from Freistadt station. Check the current timetable before travelling, as public transport connections can change. The two stations offer different starting points for your journey: which connection is right for you depends on where you are travelling from and the current timetable. If you are looking for a hotel in Sandl, you can consider your bus journey alongside the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Waldburg, Windhaag bei Freistadt, Lasberg, Tragwein, Schönau im Mühlkreis, Liebenau, Nadelbach, Grünbach.

Go to the main travel overview: Freistadt.