The Schafbergbahn, a historic cog railway, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Salzkammergut and offers an incomparable ride to the 1,783 meter high SchafbergSince its opening in 1893, the railway has taken visitors from St. Wolfgang directly to the summit and rewards you with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Austria. The Schafbergbahn is not only a technical masterpiece, but also a nostalgic experience that fits perfectly into the picturesque landscape of Lake Wolfgang.
The trip begins on the banks of the Wolfgangsee in St. Wolfgang, right at the valley station of the Schafbergbahn. As soon as you get into the historic carriages, you can feel the nostalgic charm of this more than 100-year-old cog railway. The route leads at a leisurely pace through green alpine meadows, past picturesque farms and through shady forests, always with a fascinating view of Lake Wolfgangsee and the surrounding mountains.
After about 35 minutes you reach the summit of the Schafberg, which is one of the best panoramic views Austria. From here you have an incomparable view of Lake Wolfgangsee and the neighboring lakes of the Salzkammergut, including the Mondsee, Attersee and Traunsee. On clear days the view extends to the Dachstein massif and the Alps in the south.
Once at the top, the surroundings of the Schafberg invite you to numerous hikes For experienced hikers there is the possibility to explore the summit further on various routes or to descend to St. Wolfgang or to Mondsee A popular trail leads to the Schafbergalm, which is an ideal starting point for hikes in the Alpine landscape.
If you prefer to stay at the summit, you can stop off at one of the mountain huts and enjoy regional specialties. We particularly recommend the traditional Austrian cuisine, which tastes twice as good in this wonderful setting.
The Schafbergbahn is not only a popular tourist destination, but also a technical monument. It is the steepest cog railway in Austria and one of the oldest cog railways in Europe. The carriages and locomotives, some of which date back to the railway's early days, have been lovingly restored and are still in operation. The combination of nostalgia and technology that makes the Schafbergbahn a unique experience is particularly impressive.
Every year, numerous visitors take the opportunity to experience this technical marvel and enjoy the beauty of nature on the way to the Schafberg. The historic railway is operated with modern safety standards, making it a safe and family-friendly experience.
The Schafbergbahn is mainly in operation during the warm months from May to October. During this time, the summit is easily accessible and offers the best views. In winter, operations are suspended due to snow conditions, but this makes the anticipation of the next summer all the greater.
Also particularly popular are the sunrise trips, which are offered at specific times. On these trips you will experience the breathtaking moment when the sun rises over the mountain peaks and bathes the landscape in a golden light - an unforgettable experience for early risers.