As summer slowly fades and the mountain air turns crisp, Switzerland comes alive with a centuries-old tradition that’s as heartwarming as it is spectacular: the Alpabzug, or Alpine descent. This annual celebration marks the end of the grazing season, when herds of cows, adorned with flowers and bells, make their way down from the high pastures to their winter stables in the valleys below.
Visiting one of the festivals is a bucket list must that speaks to a deep connection between nature and culture. And it’s not just about the cows. Alpabzüge are vibrant community events with music, alphorns, traditional flag throwing, food and usually plenty of cheese. Most festivals start in the morning with the cows parade around noon but I recommend coming a bit before the parade.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or living here in Switzerland, witnessing an Alpabzug is an super fun experience. And with so many festivals happening across the country, there’s bound to be one that fits your itinerary.
So here is your list of events:
31st of August
Gstaad: The Alpine Festival Gstaad Züglete is an absolute must visit event with cows parade adorned with flowers. 09:30-16:00 through the heart of the town. The parade in Gstaad usually doesn’t happen all at once but cows arrive each 30 minutes.
14th of September
Crans-Montana: Désalpe from the Corbyre mountain pasture. A beautiful descent of cattle from the pastures to the center of Crans-Montana with cow parade, stalls of food, beverages and cheese.
Müstair: An Alpine Festival to celebrate the return of the cattle after the summer on the Alps. Between 10:00-16:00.
Brigels / Breil: Alpabzug in Brigels with around 600 festively decorated animals arrive in the valley from the five Brigels Alps.
Klosters: Alpine Festival with cows parade in Klosters Monbiel starting at 09:00. The parade will start at around 10:00. You can also expect a market with cheese degustation, alphorns and kids program.
Urnäsch: An alpine festival with the alpine dairymen parade through the village between 09:00-13:00. Circuit: Municipal office – Appenzellerstrasse – Werkhof Furt – Municipal office. There is also a farmer’s market located at the Kronenplatz. You might even see the Säulirennen – which is pigs races at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00.
16th of September
Jaun: Sheep fair and désalpe (Alpine festival) in Jaun.
20th of September
Sigriswil: Chästeilet Justistal- One of the more unique alpine festivals with tons of cheese and a cows parade.
21st of September
Plaffeien: An alpine festival to celebrate the return of cattle. With around 1000 animals arriving over the course of the whole day.
Lignières: The Désalpe festival with a market, cows procession and music.
Flims: The Alpabzug- Alpine cattle decent with a colorful parade. at around 12:00 the cows will arrive to Bargis and at 14:00 they should depart from Bargis via Fidaz to Flims village.
Iseltwald: The Chästeilet Iseltwald is mainly around cheese so beware that there might not be a parade in this event. So if you’re already in Iseltwald you can check it out. If a parade is important for you I recommend checking another alpine festival.
Ayer: Cows descent from the Alpine Pastures- the program is not published yet.
28th of September
Charmey: Désalpe- The Alpine festival with a colorful parade. You can also expect a local market, flag throwing, farm animals, horse rides for kids and alphorns.
St-Cergue: The Désalpe in the charming village of St-Cergue welcomes you to watch their beautifully decorated cows. This is a great place to visit if you’re located in Geneva’s area.
La Fouly: Désalpe de la Fouly with a parade, musical entertainment and raclette.
L’Etivaz: Desalpe de L’Etivaz- a great alpine festival with cows parade, alphorns and flags throwers.
5th of October
Albeuve: An alpine festival with a parade, local market and traditional music starting at 09:00.
Semsales: The Désalpe in Semsales with a decorated parade between 10:00-16:00.
