SchafbergBahn

The Salzburg AG rack railway that has climbed from St. Wolfgang to the Schafberg since 1893. The same company runs the WolfgangseeSchifffahrt boats.

Who they are

The SchafbergBahn is operated by Salzburg AG Tourismus GmbH, the tourism arm of the Salzburg utilities company. It groups its attractions under the 5 Schätze brand, which is why the SchafbergBahn website now redirects to 5schaetze.at. The train has run since 1893 and the company presents it as the steepest rack railway in Austria. It leaves from the valley station in St. Wolfgang, on the shore of the Wolfgangsee. At the valley station there is a museum area with a historic locomotive, and nostalgic trips are scheduled throughout the year. The same company runs the WolfgangseeSchifffahrt boats, which is why it sells combined mountain and boat tickets.

The route and the summit

The train covers 4.2 km to the Schafbergalm, the intermediate station, at 1,364 m, in about 30 minutes. From there it continues to the summit station, at 1,732 m, and the whole journey takes a little over 35 minutes. The Schafberg peak is at 1,783 m. On the busiest days departures may go to every 20 minutes. Up top there is a 360-degree panoramic terrace from which, according to the company, you can see eleven lakes, with drinks and light food. There are also the Hotel Schafbergspitze and the Himmelspforte, a former mountain hut. To reach both you have to climb about 50 m of height difference along a steep path from the station.

Season

The train does not run all year. For the 2026-2027 winter season the company publishes this calendar:

• 2 to 19 November 2026: closed.
• 20 November to 20 December: Wednesday to Sunday, only to the Schafbergalm.
• 26 December to 3 January 2027: daily, only to the Schafbergalm.

On those dates the EQ café-restaurant also opens. The ascent to the summit is left for the summer season, whose dates you need to check on the website each year.

Tickets and bookings

Tickets are bought online at the 5 Schätze shop and at the ticket offices in St. Wolfgang (SchafbergBahn and Markt) and St. Gilgen. They are also sold on board the lake boats. To go up you don't need to book; groups of 20 or more must write beforehand to [email protected]. The descent from the summit does have a fixed time, chosen when buying and which can be changed at the machines at the summit, the hotel or the Himmelspforte. From the Schafbergalm you go down in order of arrival, as space allows. The website does not publish cancellation conditions on this page. The KlimaTicket and the guest mobility ticket are not valid on this train.

Dogs, pushchairs and bikes

• Dogs go up with a muzzle and lead, or in a carrier, and pay a fare unless they are in a carrier.
• Baby pushchairs are not admitted, because the summit paths are steep and not adapted. They can be left at the valley station.
• Bikes are forbidden on the train and on the whole mountain.

The website is in German and English. For queries you can call +43 662 8884 9700.