Breeds of Pinzgau
The mountain valleys of Salzburg that gave their name to the chestnut Pinzgauer, with its white stripe along the back.
Breeds of this place
Best time: September, for the Almabtrieb.
The Pinzgau is a district of mountain valleys in the Austrian state of Salzburg, around Zell am See and the upper Salzach. Its cattle, the Pinzgauer, are chestnut red with a white stripe along the back and a white belly. They are hardy mountain cattle, once used for milk, meat and work, and are now found on several continents.
The Pinzgauer
Pinzgauer cattle are known for their striking colour pattern, their docile temper and their ability to graze steep alpine pasture. Most are dual-purpose. They were exported to the Balkans, to southern Africa from the early twentieth century, and later to the Americas. A black variety also exists.
Almabtrieb
In autumn, herds come down from the high pastures in the Almabtrieb. If the summer passed without accident, the lead cows are decorated with wreaths of flowers and ribbons. Villages celebrate with music, food and markets. Breeding auctions in the region sell young Pinzgauer cattle to farmers at home and abroad.
A trail idea for Pinzgau
- Zell am See The lakeside town at the heart of the district.
- Saalbach valley Summer pastures and mountain huts.
- Krimml Waterfalls Great falls at the head of the Salzach valley.
Written by the EveryCow desk with AI assistance. Background: "Pinzgauer cattle" on Wikipedia. Fair dates, markets and visiting rules change; check locally before travelling, and keep a respectful distance from working animals. If something is wrong, tell us.
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