The summit of the Schafberg at 1,783 m, above St. Wolfgang. Up to 13 Salzkammergut lakes visible on a clear day. Hotel at the summit since 1862. A key scene in The Sound of Music was filmed here.
The Story
There are higher summits in the Alps. There are few with a better view for the effort.
From the Schafberg at 1,783 metres the entire Salzkammergut lake district spreads below in all directions. On a clear day the count reaches 13 lakes simultaneously: Wolfgangsee directly below, Fuschlsee to the north, Mondsee and Attersee extending further, and the Dachstein glacier floating on the southern horizon. The view rewards both the passengers who rode the Schafbergbahn steam cog railway and the walkers who climbed the 3 to 4-hour trail from St. Wolfgang.
The Hotel Schafbergspitze has stood at this summit since 1862, which means generations of Salzkammergut visitors have arrived here cold, wind-scraped, and glad they came. The summit also featured in the opening title sequence of The Sound of Music (1965), a detail that matters to a large portion of the visitors who make the journey each year.
Visiting
Reach the summit via the Schafbergbahn from the valley station in St. Wolfgang (approximately 35 minutes by train) or on foot from St. Wolfgang (3 to 4 hours). The railway operates seasonally from May through October. The summit is free once you arrive. The Hotel Schafbergspitze serves food and hot drinks; overnight stays are possible. Bring a warm layer regardless of valley conditions. Allow a minimum half-day for the return rail journey plus summit time.