Schafberg Bahn Bergstation Schafbergspitze — Attraction in Sankt Gilgen

A trip to Schafberg Bahn Bergstation Schafbergspitze is an experience not to be missed!

The journey up on the Schafberg Bahn is quite the ascent. It's a bit slow, but that's perfectly understandable given the steep mountain climb, which actually gives you more time to take in the increasingly dramatic scenery. The train seats are comfortable, though I think adding collapsible armrests would be a nice touch for even more convenience.

Once you reach the top, the views are absolutely breathtaking! You'll want to bring a good phone with a strong zoom or a pair of binoculars to truly capture and appreciate the panoramic landscapes. Be prepared that the mountain can get quite crowded, especially on days with good weather. Interestingly, the weather at the very top doesn't seem to deter visitors; even if it's warm and sunny at the base, people still flock up, despite it being noticeably colder at the peak.

For those who enjoy exploring on foot, there are numerous trails for hiking both up and down the mountain, offering different perspectives of the stunning views. However, a strong word of caution: if you plan to hike, be extremely careful, as most sections lack railings. It's crucial to prioritize safety.

We enjoyed a meal at the restaurant at the top, which operates on a self-serve basis. You grab your drinks at the counter, and larger food orders are brought directly to your table once prepared. This system is actually a plus, as it generally minimizes waiting times for your order, though you might still find a queue at the counter itself. The food and drinks were fantastic, perfectly complementing the incredible view we had. A delightful bonus was watching the birds soaring overhead; some even ventured close to our table, hoping for a bit of bread! The restrooms at the restaurant were also clean, which is always appreciated.

A very important tip for your return journey: The train ticket for your descent is strictly time-specific. For instance, if your ticket is for 16:25, you cannot board an earlier train (e.g., 16:00). Your ticket simply won't be valid for any time other than the one printed, so plan accordingly, especially if you have timed travel or...

Visited here recently on my holiday to Austria in Aug 2024. What an amazing place. Pricey but worth it. One of the few mountain top views which offers a stunning panoramic 360 view of several different lakes in the area, from Wolfgangsee, Attersee, Mondsee and more as far as the eye can see.

The price to the top is 50+ euros which is quite expensive but probably because of the Cog/Steam train which takes you up the mountain. Don't forget they have to maintain the tracks and trains to take people up and down. For those saying the train ride is slow, it's not supposed to be fast, a cog train runs on a special mechanism as the train is pulled up the track to make it up the mountain.

For views as you ascend, its best to sit on the right if you can and then on the left on the way down, forward facing. As we went in Aug, it was very busy so you will have to share cabins/benches with other people.

Once you get to the top you will be rewarded, the views are stunning, not just the lakes but the mountains, how they overlap in the distance, everywhere you turn is a different but magnificent view.

Very sunny so take sun-glasses if your eyes are light sensitive. Wear good shoes/trainers as to walk up to the top part is a little bit of an incline.

We didn't eat in the restaurant, we just grabbed a drink from the little snack hut.

If you need toilets, you can go into the restaurant and use the restrooms, free of charge.

Little side note, at the station when you buy tickets, they will ask you what time you wish to disembark for the train. You can't just jump on any train coming back as you have to scan your ticket at the barrier so be mindful of how much time you may want to spend at the top of the mountain, taking pictures, relaxing, strolling, hiking etc.

We took the last train of the day and rightly so it was packed to the brim. This is why you need a time slot because there are only so many spaces in the cabins.

When we arrived parking was very busy but there was a marshall to help us find a parking place. You pay by the metre. As its a tourist area, you are unlikely to find a place to park for free within...

The views are amazing, well worth the ~ €54 for the ride. One can walk up, but it looked a little more involved than we wanted for this relaxing holiday. The town below is busy with tourists and locals on holiday. Expect to be delayed by pedestrians and bikes. Parking is a challenge, but we did find some. They do charge a full day parking for any stay, €12.

The train itself is not the draw, it's the view from the top. The train is crowded and hot. The doors have a sliding window to allow a little airflow, but on our trip (early Aug 24), it was hot, even coming from Savannah, Georgia. Dress appropriately for the weather, and be prepared to be patient. The ride up takes about 35 mins, depending on the wait at several passing stations, where up-bound and down-bound trains must pass.

Some others here tell which side to sit on, I would say the right side (when facing uphill) is the best in both directions. The left side has some early views of the lakes but the right side has some truly stellar views as you near the top. The views from the top are a lot better than any view from the train, so don't worry too much. I think facing the direction of travel is the best,...