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Complete Guide to Ghost Mountain – Geisterberg St JOhann

When we visited St JOhann for three days in the Summer we spent a whole day up Geisterberg (Ghost Mountain) in Alpendorf. The boys absolutely loved our visit, in their mind, it was the best thing we did during our stay. What I really liked about it was that it had so much for the kids to do which meant the adults got to relax and take in the absolutely stunning panoramic views of the mountains. Snow Space Salzburg has really thought about everything you need for a great family day out. It should without doubt be on your list of things to do while staying in St JOhann and can also be easily reached from Salzburg.

If you are planning a visit to Ghost Mountain then this blog post will give you everything you need to know before you visit to make the most of your time at the alpine leisure park.

Table of Contents

Where is Ghost Mountain St JOhann

Geisterberg is located in Alpendorf which is a village that is part of the St. JOhann in Salzburg, 3km from the city centre. Alpendorf is German for alpine village and it is where we stayed we visited. In luxury 4 star superior Hotel Tannenhof. It is also home to the gondola lift of the Alpendorf Bergbahnen. This is how you access Ghost Mountain.

Alpendorf Cable Car

The Alpendorf Bergbahen is really easy to find as it has a giant play area right outside. Harry’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw it. So much so it was a struggle to drag him away from the zip lines to go up the mountain! There is also free parking underground, so if you are not staying in the area then you need not worry. Although we did not use this when we visited as we were staying opposite the entrance.

You can use the address – Valley station Alpendorf Gondelbahn, Alpendorf 2 5600, St. Johann im Pongau

Which will take you the entrance to the cable car at Valley Station and the car park.

The cable car ride up the mountain is a really nice one too. Not only is it a good length around fifteen minutes, it takes you up 1600m, and the views are stunning. The cable car itself takes up to 8 people. Although when we visited we had one to ourselves which meant we could move around and enjoy the views. I prefer the smaller cable cars to the larger gondola style.

How much does it cost to go to Geisterberg St JOhann?

There is no entrance charge as such for Ghost Mountain. It is included in the cost of the gondola ticket. For ascent and descent and as long as you want to spend at Geisterberg it costs €34.50 for adults and €20.70 for children. If you buy your tickets online in advance then these prices are reduced to €29 for adults and €17.40 for children. So for a family of four this €17.60 saving.

During our two-week stay in Austria, we went up a number of mountains and cable cars. They are not the cheapest day out. However, Ghost Mountain represents great value for money in relation to others, not only was it the cheapest, but because of everything that has been put in place for the kids. It really has been completely set up for families and is such a brilliant day out.

Tickets can either be purchased online (for the best prices) or on the day at the ticket office at Geisterberg Alpendorf Valley Station. The ticket office is on the first floor.

If you have a Salzburger Land Card then entrance to the adventure park and a return trip on the cable car is included.

Gold medallions & stickers

When you purchase your tickets at the ticket office then you will also be given a cardboard gold medallion for each child. These have numbers on the front which you add stickers to (which you are also given). But you need to complete challenges to know where they should be stuck and read the information boards.

The twelve stickers represent the twelve different ghosts that live on Ghost Mountain. Once you have completed the medallion. If you hand it back to the ticket desk then the children are given a certificate and some Ghost Mountain-themed treats.

If you purchase your tickets online and go straight to the cable car then you can pick the medallions and sticker sheets up at the exit to the cable car.

Gspensti & Spuki

Out of all the characters that the children will meet on Geisterberg Alpendorf. There are two very friendly ghosts that deserve a special mention Gspensti and Spuki. You will see them around all over the mountain helping guide you along your journey across the different areas.

All of the characters are split into fire, earth, water and air creating four different adventure worlds. Gspensti and Spuki are air spirits

The Ghost Mountain land train

We caught the first cable car up of the day to Geisterberg Alpendorf. It opens at 9 am although the first cable car did not go until around 9.30 am. This meant that the ghost train was waiting for us right outside the station. It can take up to 50 passengers at a time.

If you get a later cable car then you will need to walk up to the first station. This is only a short walk up the hill. It takes around 15 minutes depending on fast the kids walk. From here the tractor-pulled land train will take you first to the middle station and then to the top station. Although it doesn’t go right to the top there is not much further to walk and with the first amazing play structure (ghost castle) in view there is no need to encourage the kids. The summit is around 1800m above sea level.

Ghost Mountain Alpendorf what to expect – for the kids.

There are forty different pieces of play equipment spread all over the top of the mountain with plenty of variety. Including a viewing tower and photo opportunity with Gspensti and Spuki. The larger play areas can be found by each character board. But there are also lots of other small play stations suitable for the whole family. I am not going to go through them all but below are some of our favourites. The boys really didn’t know where to go first, there is so much until they saw the boat that is.

This was our starting point. You have to pull yourself across ghost lake, There are a lot of tadpoles, frogs and newts. Which the boys found fascinating. Next up was a giant wooden castle with metal climbing tunnels, scramble nets and lookout towers. I personally loved the deck chairs for the parents which were underneath! Next door was a small village of wooden houses and numerous slides.

Our next stop was the water games and water play. We spent a long time here as the kids ran from station to station releasing the water and watching it tumble down. I think they would have stayed with the water spirits for the rest of the day given half a chance.

Next to the water play area, there is the ghost tower lookout post. It was really nice to find that the observation telescopes are free. So the boys enjoyed moving them around and seeing all the mountains close by and their heights. The views from the top are amazing it is such a wonderful panoramic location. Although we could not keep Harry away from the play equipment for long once he spotted the zip line.

The nets and bird nests also deserve a mention, along with the bridge that blows air. And the amazing dragon that breathes actual smoke.

Ghost Mountain what to expect – for the adults

The kids can run free and there is plenty of seating across . Although you may want to join in with the play at one of the most popular excursion destinations in St JOhann. If you want to sit and relax and watch your kid’s faces light up as they run around. Then this is also an option. As there is seating nearby all the play areas with breathtaking scenery. Plus 17km of hiking paths and trails if you can drag the kids away from the excitement.

Being at a top of a mountain is immediately relaxing, with all the wildflowers and low-hanging clouds. I would have happily stayed up there even without the play equipment!

Top Tips for a Visit to Ghost Mountain Alpendorf

Pick up a map of the ghost village to make sure you see all the main play attractions. These can either be found at the ticket office or when you get off the cable car at the top of Geisterberg Alpendorf.
It is hard standing all the way around and buggy friendly. Although it is steep in places so bear this in mind. You are on a mountain so you may want to consider a carrier for small children.
Although there are places to eat (see below) it is best to bring drinks and snacks to keep the kids going.
Weather is inevitably changeable even in the Summer months. So check the forecast before you go. Carry layers and waterproofs in case the rain comes. After all you are at the top of a mountain. Despite visiting in July we had rain from lunchtime onwards.
Wear sensible footwear, walking boots or trainers with good grip. We walked down to the middle station on the hunt for one of the fire spirits along steep paths with loose gravel underfoot.
Ghost Mountain only operates once the snow melts.
Wifi is available at selected points across the mountain.
For older children ages 12+ there is a climbing wall called Drachis Via Ferrata. You need to bring your own helmets and harnesses. You can hire ferrata equipment from the sports shop next to the entrance to the cable car at Alpendorf Valley Station. Children need to be accompanied by an experienced climber.

Places to eat at Ghost Mountain, St JOhann

There are restaurants both at the middle land train station and at the entrance to Ghost Mountain. When the rain came we happened to be close to the middle station and so ate in the restaurant there. Which is called Buchan-Hutte.

It was huge, and the play continues inside with table football and carpet slides to get down to the toilets. Which the boys thought were fabulous. If the weather is behaving then there is a terrace for outside seating with go-karts.

We opted for a couple of platters to share and something from the kid’s menu for Harry. Considering there is a captive audience the food prices were really reasonable. Their menus are available on line. There was something very special about sitting under glass in a wood chalet with the rain and the cloud outside while sipping an Aperol Spritz.

We had a fun experience visiting Ghost Mountain Alpendorf and would definitely recommend adding it to your Austrian holiday itinerary. It is perfect day out for adventure-hungry kids.