Okay, let’s talk about one of the really special traditions in Switzerland: The Alpabzug.
It’s that time towards the end of summer, as the air starts getting that crisp mountain feel, when farmers bring their cows down from the high alpine pastures for the winter. But this isn’t just about moving animals, it’s a fantastic celebration! The cows are decorated with stunning flowers and wearing huge, ornate bells. Seeing – and hearing! – them parade down through the villages is really quite something. The sound of those bells filling the valley is unforgettable.
These Alpabzüge aren’t just parades, they’re vibrant local festivals. You’ll often find traditional music playing, maybe alphorns echoing, flag throwing demonstrations and of course, cute stalls with delicious local food, especially cheese! It’s a wonderful way to experience local culture and community spirit.
The main procession usually happens around midday, but I always recommend getting there a bit earlier to really soak up the atmosphere before the crowds build up.
So here is your list of events for this year:
September 5th
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.
September 12th
Gryon: The Gryon Désalpe is an Alpine Festival with decorated herds, alphorn music, cowbells, flag throwing, yodeling and Swiss mountain traditions at Place de la Barboleuse. When: from 10:00-17:00.
Saas-Fee: This traditional Alpine descent sees more than 100 goats make their way from Alp Hannig through the larch forest down to Saas-Fee, with visitors welcome to join the procession and enjoy an aperitif along the route. When: from 9:00 a.m., participation is free and hiking shoes plus weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
St-Luc: The traditional Désalpe welcomes flower-decorated cows back from the Rouaz alpine pasture with a procession through the village, folk music, food stands and local alpine cheese. When: from 10:30 a.m., the herd should reach the village around 11:30 a.m., festivities continue from noon at Place de la Praz and admission is free.
Müstair: S-chargiada d’Alp is a traditional Alpine cattle descent where decorated cows return from the summer pastures and are welcomed with music, folklore, food and festivities in front of the UNESCO-listed St. John Monastery. When: from 10:30 to 16:00, the cows are expected to arrive between noon and 13:00.
St. Stephan: The 40th Alpabfahrt is a Swiss Alpine Festival with decorated cattle from the Dürrenwald alpine pasture, with regional market stalls, food and drinks, live music, cheese-making demonstrations and children’s activities. When: from 10:30-16:00, the cattle arrive between 11:30 a.m. and 13:00, admission is free.
Innertkirchen: The Alpabfahrt & Dorffest celebrates the return of decorated cows from the Gental and Engstlen alpine pastures, with a village market, food and drinks, children’s activities, live music and evening dancing in the festival tent. Dates: September 12-13, from 9:00, the first herds arrive around noon and admission is free.
Caux: The Grande Désalpe de Caux celebrates the return of cattle from the Alpine pastures, with the herd descending into the village alongside food, drinks and entertainment throughout the day. When: from 11:00 a.m. at Place des Tennis de Caux, admission is free.
Hofstetten bei Brienz: The Alpabzug Hofstetten- a traditional alpine procession on September 13th. Where festively decorated cows return from the Gummenalp. The procession, which is free to watch, goes through the village and ends at the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, where there will be a festival with music, food and family entertainment.
18th of September
Sumiswald: The Emmental Alpine Festival with around 850 flower-decorated cattle coming back from their summer pastures, with herding families, ringing cowbells, yodeling, and festivities in the villages of Sumiswald and Wasen. When: the processions begin around 7:30 a.m., with cattle arriving through Wasen and Sumiswald roughly between 8:30 a.m. and 13:00, followed by additional celebrations.
Sigriswil: The Chästeilet in Justistal is a nearly 300-year-old tradition where Alpine farmers divide the summer’s mountain cheese before decorated cattle descend to the valley, accompanied by folk music and regional food. When: from 10:00 at Spycherberg, admission is free.
19th of September
Blatten-Belalp: The Eringer Alpine Festival with the traditionally decorated Hérens cows make their way down from Belalp to Blatten, followed by a village celebration with market stalls, traditional music and the crowning of the Belalp Alp Queen.
Klosters: The Alpine Parade in Monbiel celebrates the return of decorated cows and goats from the mountain pastures with a folk festival featuring Alpine cheese tastings, regional food, children’s activities, alphorn and folk music, plus an evening concert and party.
Flims: The Flimserstein Alpine Festival with around 200 decorated cows and calves descend from Bargis through Fidaz to Flims, accompanied by a farmers’ breakfast, market stalls, regional food, live music, and a festive barn party. When: the cows arrive in Bargis around noon and begin the descent at 14:00, admission is free.
Grächen: This traditional Alpine descent with festively decorated sheep coming back to the village, followed by a sheep show where the most beautiful and best animals are awarded prizes.
Celerina: The Alpine Procession celebrates the return of decorated cows from the Marguns and Laret mountain pastures, with a parade through the village, live music, folklore, a farmers’ market, vintage tractors, pony rides, and regional food. Dates: September 19–20, festivities begin Saturday at noon, with the cattle parade around 13:00.
21st of September
Jaun: This centuries-old sheep fair marks the end of the Alpine grazing season, with sheep and goats returning to the village, around 50 market stalls, folk music and festive local restaurants.
26th of September
Les Charbonnières: The Fête du Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOP marks the start of the famous seasonal cheese with tastings, a local produce market, folk music and a traditional Alpine descent featuring cows, sheep and horse-drawn carriages. When: from 9:00-18:00.
Plaffeien: The Alpabzug Plaffeien–Schwarzsee is one of the region’s biggest Alpine cattle descents, with up to 1,000 beautifully decorated animals arriving throughout the day, plus a regional market, traditional food, music, and entertainment in the village center.
Saint-Cergue: The Désalpe de Saint-Cergue is the largest Alpine cattle descent in the Lake Geneva region, with around 700 decorated cows parading through the village alongside folk concerts, traditional entertainment, an artisan market and regional food.
Charmey: The Désalpe de Charmey is one of Fribourg’s best-known Alpine cattle descents, with flower-decorated cows and traditional herders returning from the mountain pastures, accompanied by alphorns, flag throwing, folk music, regional food and a little market with artisans and cheesemakers.
Schüpfheim: The Entlebuch Alpine Festival with around 300 decorated cattle returning from the mountain pastures alongside herders, traditional wagons, yodelers, alphorn players, flag throwers and a large regional food and produce market. When: from 10:00-18:00, the main cattle procession begins around 11:30.
Weggis: The Autumn Market & Cattle Show is a traditional festival, featuring around 250 cows and cattle judged for prizes, an Alpine cattle descent with decorated animals, folk music, local food, crafts and regional products. When: the market runs roughly 9:00-16:00 along Seestrasse, with the decorated cattle heading home around 15:00.
Lignières: The Désalpe Festival, an Alpine Festival with around 60 lower-covered heifers coming back from their summer Alpine pastures.
Le Châble: Bagnes, Capitale de la Raclette celebrates Valais AOP raclette with tastings of different cheeses, local products, live music, a Hérens cow competition, and a large Sunday parade through the village. Dates: September 26-27.
