Centuries-old tradition
"Alpabtriebe" in Vorarlberg
In the regions of Vorarlberg, the "Alpabtrieb - a ceremonial driving down of cattle from the mountain pastures to the valley in autumn - is celebrated as the culmination of the farming year.
The cows spend the winter months in the stable, in spring and autumn they are on pastures of the middle alp, the so-called “Vorsäß” or “Maisäß”, near the villages. From July, however, they go up to the high alp. There the cattle spend the summer months in pleasant temperatures and lush meadows. The different food in the form of grasses and herbs at the respective altitudes affects the milk and the taste of the cheese: Anyone who tries a young “Alpkäse” or the Montafon speciality “Sura Kees” – a sour milk cheese that has been produced since the 12th century – in one of the numerous alpine dairies will taste the difference. When the animals return from the high alpine pastures to the villages healthy and colourfully decorated at the beginning to middle of September (depending on the weather), the population welcomes them with a big festival.
The “Alpabtrieb” events take place every year in September. The dates will be published here as soon as they are known. Please note that changes are possible at short notice due to weather conditions.
