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4 clusters · 6 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

Alpine seasonal cattle drive schedules

Overview

The 2026 schedules for traditional seasonal cattle drives in the Alpine regions of Allgäu, Vorarlberg, and Tirol have been established. These events, known as Viehscheid or Almabtrieb, involve moving livestock from high alpine pastures back to the valleys.

In Vorarlberg, the drives are expected to begin in late August, with major dates in September for locations including Schwarzenberg, Silbertal, and St. Gallenkirch. While specific dates for areas such as Vandans and Mellau are still being finalized, many key locations have confirmed their schedules.

In the Allgäu region, the Viehscheid season is primarily scheduled for September and October. The season involves approximately 30,000 animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, returning from more than 700 alpine pastures. If the summer season has been peaceful and accident-free, lead animals are decorated with elaborate floral wreaths and headpieces.

While the traditional kickoff in Kranzegg has been canceled for 2026, significant events are scheduled for the second weekend of September. Key dates include Friday, September 11, in Bad Hindelang, Balderschwang, Oberstaufen, and Schöllang. Additional drives are set for September 12 in Oberstdorf and Pfronten, with celebrations continuing through September 19 in locations including Immenstadt, Kleinwalsertal, and Zell.

The season also includes several small-scale traditional events. These include Unterjoch on September 14, featuring up to 60 young cattle from the Buchelalpe, and Wengen on September 19, which will feature roughly 100 young cattle. The season is expected to conclude with the Heimhofen cattle drive on October 10, where approximately 60 cattle will return to the assembly point accompanied by alphorn players.

Parallel to these seasonal traditions, Austria’s Fleckvieh cattle breed is seeing increased international interest, with its genetics being exported to over 50 countries.

Entities

Allgäu · Tirol · Kranzegg · Unterjoch · Wengen

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Allgäu cattle drives feature small-scale traditional events in 2026

    The 2026 Allgäu cattle drive season includes several small-scale traditional events, such as the Heimhofen drive on October 10 and smaller gatherings in Unterjoch and Wengen.

  2. 2 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Allgäu Viehscheid 2026 dates announced

    The 2026 Viehscheid schedule for the Allgäu region is set, featuring the traditional return of 30,000 animals from alpine pastures throughout September.

  3. 5 days ago

    [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Alpine cattle drive schedules announced for 2026

    Schedules for the 2026 Almabtrieb and Viehscheid cattle drives in Vorarlberg and the Allgäu region have been announced, marking the traditional seasonal return of livestock to the valleys.

  4. 28 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Alpine cattle season and Fleckvieh breed highlighted for 2026

    2026 Viehscheid dates are set across Allgäu and Tirol, while Austria’s Fleckvieh cattle, making up 75% of its herd, are exported to over 50 nations.

Sources

allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de · allgaeuer-zeitung.de · femina1912.fr · kurierverlag.de · meinegemeinde.vol.at · oesterreich.orf.at

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history