The Sound of Music Trail: A Day Trip from Salzburg to Werfen
Are you looking for the perfect day trip from Salzburg? Consider the beautiful Austrian town of Werfen, home to the famous Sound of Music trail.
When I finally got to visit Austria with my mum, there was one thing at the top of our list: Visiting as many filming locations from The Sound of Music as possible.
While most of the exterior scenes from the movie were filmed in Salzburg, a few surrounding towns were also used, including Werfen. One of the most recognisable scenes from the movie takes place in Werfen, and it’s possible to walk to the very spot where Julie Andrews once stood.
In this guide, I’ve shared everything you need to know about hiking the Sound of Music Trail in Werfen, which leads to the famous setting for the beginning of the Do-Re-Mi scene. I’ve also shared how to visit Werfen as a day trip from Salzburg.
About Werfen
Werfen is a traditional Austrian town about a forty-minute train journey from Salzburg. Despite its small size, Werfen has several notable attractions, including a big one for Sound of Music fans.
While much of the Sound of Music was filmed in Salzburg, some scenes were shot in the beautiful Austrian countryside.
The hills surrounding Werfen are home to the backdrop for the start of the Do-Re-Mi scene, where Maria and the Von Trapp children sit and have a picnic. It’s known as The Sound of Music meadow, and it’s possible to visit the exact spot where Julie Andrews and the cast filmed all those years ago.
Other things to do in Werfen include visiting the famous Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves and Hohenwerfen Castle.
How to get from Salzburg to Werfen
Getting to Werfen from Salzburg is relatively straightforward. If you don’t have a car, the easiest way is to catch the train from Salzburg station.
There are several different types of trains: the Regional Express Train (REX), the S3 train, and the faster EC trains. All take between 40 minutes and an hour, depending on the option you choose.
I recommend downloading the OBB app to help plan your journey.
One option would be to take the REX train and purchase an SVV travelcard for the day. This day ticket allows you to use unlimited public transport in Salzburg and the surrounding area for the day, including the regional trains to Werfen and back.
When I visited, the cost of this ticket was €19, and it was cheaper than buying a standard return ticket to Werfen.
You can’t use the ticket on the faster trains, including the EC. However, there are plenty of other trains to choose from, with trains running all day between Salzburg and Werfen.
Hiking The Sound of Music Trail in Werfen
It takes about 45 minutes to walk from the station to the end of the trail. To get to the start of the trail, walk out of the station and through the foot tunnel into the main town.
There are two ways to reach the famous Sound of Music meadow on foot: You can follow the official trail or walk up the road. The road is a slightly easier option, and it takes you straight to the meadow.
We opted to walk along the road to reach the meadow, and then returned via the official trail. Although the official trail is well-maintained, it’s a bit rocky and slippery, and we felt walking on the road would be a better option. The road also isn’t as steep.
For the official trail: You’ll find the entrance opposite the official tourism office in Werfen. There is a sign on the side of the wall (it’s not the easiest to spot), and there are some steps that lead you up the hill.
On the way up, you’ll see various signs pointing out the way, as well as a few interactive signs based on the movie.
If you follow the official trail, the hike is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) with approximately 157 metres of elevation gain from the trailhead.
For the road route: It’s possible to drive to The Sound of Music Meadow, and you can follow the road on foot if you prefer.
Following the road takes slightly longer, but it’s not as steep as the path, and it’s much easier to walk on. You’ll need to walk up Schartenbergstraße to the meadow.
Once you reach the meadow, you’ll find a fenced-off area with seating, allowing you to admire the stunning views of the mountains.
Overall, the path to the meadow is relatively easy for anyone in good fitness.
We debated whether travelling to Werfen was worth it for this, but it ended up being one of my favourite days of my entire trip to Austria. The mountains surrounding the town are so breathtaking, and almost resemble those of Patagonia.
Other tips for visiting Werfen
Plan in advance: It’s a sensible idea to plan your trip to Werfen in advance. When I visited, both the Castle and the Ice Caves were closed. If they’re activities you want to do, check they’re open on the day you visit.
Consider visiting Zell am See: Werfen is located between Salzburg and Zell am See, and some trains connect the two destinations. If you’re travelling between Salzburg and Zell am See, you can jump off at Werfen to explore. Unfortunately, there is no luggage storage available at Werfen station.
It’s possible to drive: You can drive to the Sound of Music Meadow. A road takes you up to the gated area, and there are a couple of places to pull over and park.
Take food and snacks: There isn’t a huge amount of choice when it comes to food and drink in Werfen. I suggest taking some snacks with you for the hike. The top of the trail is the perfect place to sit and have a picnic, and there’s even a picnic table.
Summary: Is Werfen worth visiting?
I’m really happy that we added Werfen to our Salzburg itinerary. It’s an incredibly beautiful town, and a great way to see more of Austria’s breathtaking scenery.
If you plan to visit Werfen, I suggest also exploring other attractions, such as Werfen Castle and the Ice Caves. Sadly, both of these were closed on the day I visited during the winter season.
Even so, I’m still glad that we went. The Sound of Music Trail in Werfen is an absolute must for any fan of the movie.
