Aldeiner Almabtrieb

The transhumance that becomes a village festival

The Aldeiner Almabtrieb is the traditional festival marking the return of livestock from the mountain pastures (known in German as Almabtrieb) held every September in Aldein, a mountain municipality in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Trentino-South Tyrol. At the end of the summer, as cattle leave the high-altitude pastures to return to the valley, the herds are decorated with flower garlands, conifer branches, and impressive cowbells, parading through the village in a festive procession greeted by traditional music, singing, and dancing.

A deep-rooted Alpine tradition

Transhumance has for centuries set the rhythm of life for mountain communities in South Tyrol. The descent of the herds is not merely a practical aspect of the farming economy, but a true collective ritual marking the transition from summer to autumn. In Aldein, nestled at about 1,225 meters above sea level on the Regglberg plateau, the event brings together farmers, herdsmen, and residents for a day of celebration that also attracts numerous visitors.

The heart of the festival: the Messnerwiese

The hub of the festivities is the Messnerwiese meadow, where the day begins in the morning with the Frühschoppen, the musical aperitif accompanying the arrival of the livestock. The setting is typical of South Tyrolean festivals: brass bands and folk music ensembles (such as the Steinegger Böhmische), the Goaslschnöller whip-crackers, and costumed dance groups enliven the entire day.

Program and atmosphere

• Return of the livestock from the pastures, with animals festively adorned
• Morning Frühschoppen with live music
• Performances by Tyrolean bands and folk groups
• Children's corner, a small market for kids, and a bouncy castle
• South Tyrolean culinary specialties and local traditional dishes

Aldein and its surroundings

Aldein is a hiking destination known for its ancient mills and the nearby Bletterbach Gorge, a geological canyon included in the UNESCO World Heritage list of the Dolomites. The Almabtrieb festival is the ideal opportunity to discover this corner of the southern South Tyrol and to experience one of the region's most authentic farming traditions firsthand.