Almabtrieb
The autumn return of cattle from the high alpine pastures to the valleys, with decorated cows.
Also: Alpabzug, Alpabfahrt, Viehscheid, autumn cattle drive
Almabtrieb is the German word for driving cattle down from the summer pastures, the Almen, in late September and early October. It is celebrated in Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol, and as the Alpabzug or Alpabfahrt in German-speaking Switzerland. If the summer has passed without the loss of an animal or a herder, the lead cows are crowned with tall headdresses of flowers, ribbons, small mirrors and crosses, and wear their best bells. Villages hold markets, music and feasts. In the Allgäu the cattle are sorted back to their owners at a Viehscheid. A summer marked by an accident brings a quieter return, without decoration.