Estimated net time	4-5 hours
Difficulty	No difficulties, but there are three short sections supported by via Ferrata that requires some concentration. However, there is no exposure. The whole route runs on forest road and well marked paths.
Drinking water	You cross a stream along the forest road, and there is a fountain at Sandlingalm.
GSM coverage	Coverage throughout the route (July 2010).
Parking	Room for many cars at trail head.
Start height	870 metres.
Vertical metres	950 metres for the roundtrip.
Trip distance	8.7 km
GPS-file	X
Map		Google Interactive Map
Route photo	Route from Hagan Lodge to Sandlingalm.   Passing Sandlingalm.

From Salzburg drive road B158 east to Bad Ischl, approximately 50 km. Then drive approximately 11 km south on road B145, through Bad Goisern, and fork left (east), staying on road B145 (don't fork right onto road B166). Drive approximately 14 km on road B145 in the direction of Bad Aussee, and then turn left towards Altaussee. In Altaussee follow signs for Hagan Lodge, and find parking around the ski-centre by Hagan Lodge.

Start walking by ascending the ski slopes with the ski-lift up to 1065 metres. Turn right here, onto the forest road, and follow this forest road north to where it makes a sharp left turn, for approximately 900 metres. Ignore any forest roads forking off to the left. From the sharp left turn continue uphill for a couple of hundred metres, to a wooden gate. Cross the gate and proceed another 350 metres to Sandlingalm. Turn right here, following the path uphill. This path is marked by red and white paint. When you get to a path junction approximately 600 metres from Sandlingalm turn left onto the path signed for Sandling. Follow this path all the way to the summit. Note that above 1600 metres the path enters a flat stretch, even descending a little in places. You also get to three slightly more awkward sections, which are supported by wires. These sections are not difficult, but requires the use of hands. The summit is marked by a large cross, and has a registration book.

The descent is best done by reversing the ascent route.

NOTE: After having ascended the ski-slopes it might be a shorter route to Sandlingalm if first turning right onto the forest road and then turn left almost immediately afterwards.

20. July 2010

I decided to do a morning hike from our rented house at Hagan Lodge this Tuesday. As with the two previous days there was some fog, but today most of the fog lifted when I was at the summit. At least I had some views of the surrounding mountains, including a very nice view of Dachstein.

To my surprise, since I had started early and hiked relatively fast, I met two hikers coming down when I was a few metres below the summit. I spent around 20 minutes at the summit, waiting for the fog to clear, but for some reason I forgot to sign the registry book located by the summit cross. But I did manage to get back down to Hagan Lodge in time to join the rest of the family for breakfast, and I assume that gives a couple of bonus points ...
Photos 20.07.2010