Geisterberg Alpendorf: the ghost mountain adventure for kids

The Geisterberg (Ghost Mountain) above St. Johann-Alpendorf in Salzburger Land is a family adventure area on the Gernkogel at around 1,800 m. More than 40 play stations line paths that are mostly pushchair-friendly, and children solve tasks set by the friendly ghosts Gspensti and Spuki along the way. Here is how to get up, what is where, how long to allow and what the trip costs in summer 2026.

Geisterberg at a glance

Who for	children aged roughly 2 to 12, via ferrata from 12
Time needed	at least 3 hours, ideally 5 or more
Season 2026	1 June – 11 Oct, 9:00–17:00 (daily only 27 June – 8 Sept)
Getting up	Alpendorf Gondelbahn (about 15 min) plus a tractor train
Family of four	€123 at the ticket desk, online from €104
Summer card	no card in our catalogue includes the Geisterberg
Parking	free at the valley station

Outside the main season it opens on selected days only: 1–7 June Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday; 13–23 June and 12 Sept – 11 Oct Saturday to Tuesday.

Getting up

1. Car park at the valley station of the Alpendorf Gondelbahn (Alpendorf 2, St. Johann im Pongau), free. There is already a big playground here with a giant rope slide, swings and a trampoline.
2. Gondola up, about 15 minutes. At the top station there is a photo point and a little further on the Geistersprungturm, a tower where kids jump into an air cushion.
3. Ghost train (Geisterbergzug): a tractor pulls wagons with up to 50 seats and room for pushchairs. It runs every 30 minutes via the Buchauhütte to the heart of the area, a 15-minute ride. First ride up 9:30, lunch break 13:00–13:40, last ride down from the top station 16:30.

The train is included in the ticket. If you prefer to walk, there are 17 km of trails on the mountain.

What is where: the four ghost worlds

Behind the talking ghost gate lie four worlds: earth, fire, water and air ghosts.

• Wichtelweg (gnome trail) for the youngest: children and parents look for different ghosts along the way.
• Alpine adventure park for older kids: the ghost castle (Geisterschloss), air swings, water play, a ghost lake, a pine-cone shooting gallery, climbing towers and lots of slides. Most families head for the castle and the ghost village.
• Panoramic trails for adults and older children with views over the Pongau mountains.
• Drachis Klettersteig: a 40 m rock face with ladders and rungs, recommended from age 12, including one exposed rope bridge. About 5–10 minutes from the Buchauhütte. Gear can only be rented down in St. Johann (at the valley station or in town); there is no rental on the mountain. During the summer holidays there is a guided climb with a mountain guide every Tuesday.

Tip: pick up a free ghost medallion and stickers at the ticket desk. Children who find all the ghosts on the map and solve the tasks get a small gift back at the desk.

How long to allow

The operator recommends at least 3 hours, ideally 5 or more. With the gondola, train and lunch it becomes a full day with small children. Arrive before 10:00: fewer people, and the Early Bird hiking ticket applies.

All stations are outdoors. Bring a jacket and rain gear, swimwear for the water play on hot days, and sun cream.

Prices 2026

Ticket (up and down, train included)	Adult (15+)	Child (6–14)	Mini (3–5)
ticket desk	€38.50	€23.00	€10.50
online until midnight the day before	from €32.50	from €19.50	from €9.00

A family of four with children aged 8 and 11 pays €123 at the desk, or from €104 online the day before. Dogs need a €6.40 day ticket. The play equipment may only be used during opening hours with a valid ticket.

For several days there is the 12 PEAKS Adventure Card for 2 to 5 days of your choice on six mountains around Flachau, Wagrain and St. Johann, including the Geisterberg. Two days cost €72 (adult), €43.50 (child) and €18.50 (mini) at the desk, slightly less online. It pays off if you visit at least two of those mountains.

What the summer cards cover

• The SalzburgerLand Card has not included the Geisterberg since summer 2025, nor the Grafenberg in Wagrain. More in SalzburgerLand Card 2026.
• The Salzburger Sportwelt Card, the guest card from your accommodation in St. Johann, gives a discount on the 12 PEAKS Adventure Card. You pay full price for the day ticket.
• No other card in our catalogue includes the Geisterberg. Budget for it as a paid outing.

Pushchairs, food and comfort

• Pushchairs: both the gondola and the train carry them. Most paths work with an off-road pushchair with larger wheels. With a toddler a carrier is often easier.
• Food: the Buchauhütte, Obergassalm and Gernkogelalm are open on the mountain. On hot days bring water and snacks.
• Facilities: accessible toilet and free Wi-Fi.
• Dogs: on a lead and muzzled on the train.
• Weather: the lift runs in bad weather too, but may close in heavy rain, wind or thunderstorms.

Our experience

With our three small children, the Geisterberg is an outing they look forward to long in advance. The ghosts, the castle, the water play and the train ride keep them busy from morning to afternoon, and they see the way up as an adventure, not a hike. So we all enjoy the mountains: the kids play, and we parents get the wonderful views.

Summary

The Geisterberg is one of the best family day trips in Salzburger Land: gondola, train, ghost castle and water play in one place. No summer card covers it in 2026; a family of four pays about €104 to €123. Looking for a region where lifts are included for kids? See Austria with kids in summer. From Schladming-Dachstein it is roughly an hour’s drive; tips there are in Schladming with kids in summer.

Sources

1. Geisterberg St. Johann-Alpendorf (Snow Space Salzburg, official)
2. Geisterberg – opening times and prices 2026 (St. Johann in Salzburg)
3. Salzburger Sportwelt Card – St. Johann guest card

Information is valid as of the article's last update. Card conditions change every season, so check them with the region or your accommodation before you travel.

Translated from the Czech original. Figures and conditions come from the same verified data.