St. Wolfgang on the northern shore of Lake Wolfgang is one of the most picturesque villages of the Salzkammergut. From here the historic Schafberg Railway climbs to the summit of the Schafberg – the cog railway you see in The Sound of Music movie.
In the film
At the end of the “My Favorite Things” sequence, Maria and the children ride the Schafberg Railway up the mountain. Many guests assume that the Do-Re-Mi picnic meadow is up there – it is not: the meadow is near Werfen, and at the top of the Schafberg you find a mountain restaurant and one of the best panoramic views in Austria, over many lakes of the Salzkammergut.
The real history
The Schafberg Railway opened in 1893, in the time of Emperor Franz Joseph. In about 35 minutes it climbs 1,190 metres over 5.85 km, with gradients of up to 26 percent – one of the steepest cog railways in Austria. In the village, the late-Gothic pilgrimage church houses the famous winged altar by Michael Pacher, and the lakeside hotel Im Weissen Rössl became world-famous through the operetta “The White Horse Inn” (1930).
Visiting tips
- Schafberg Railway: runs from spring to autumn – please check the timetable and book ahead in summer on the website of the Schafberg Railway.
- Im Weissen Rössl: the White Horse Inn on the lakeshore is a classic stop for coffee or lunch.
- A sweet tradition: the bakery Lebkuchen Gandl has been making traditional gingerbread in St. Wolfgang for generations.
- By boat: the Lake Wolfgang boats connect St. Wolfgang with St. Gilgen and Strobl.
- In Advent: the Wolfgangsee Advent with Christmas markets in St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen and Strobl – with the 3-in-1 boat ticket you can visit all three by ship.
Visit with Bob’s Special Tours
St. Wolfgang is not part of our current tours – we are working on a tour that will include it. On our tours to the filming locations of The Sound of Music movie we pass Lake Wolfgang near St. Gilgen, with a view across the lake:
- Public 4.5h tour to the filming locations
- Private 4.5h tour to the filming locations
- Full-day tour to the filming locations and Hallstatt
More about the lake: Lake Wolfgang, St. Gilgen and Lake Fuschl. All filming locations at a glance: The Sound of Music movie filming locations in and around Salzburg.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Schafberg Railway in The Sound of Music movie?
Yes. Maria and the children ride the Schafberg Railway at the end of the “My Favorite Things” sequence.
Is the Do-Re-Mi meadow on the Schafberg?
No. The Do-Re-Mi picnic was filmed on the meadows above Werfen. At the top of the Schafberg there is a mountain restaurant with a panoramic view.
Do your tours go to St. Wolfgang?
Not at the moment. Our tours to the filming locations pass Lake Wolfgang near St. Gilgen; a tour including St. Wolfgang is in preparation.