Almabtrieb im Martelltal / Cattle Drive in Val Martello

The autumn transhumance in Val Martello

The Almabtrieb im Martelltal, also known as the Desmontegada in Val Martello, is the festival that marks the return of livestock from high-altitude pastures to the valley floor every September. It takes place in Val Martello (Martelltal), one of the most picturesque side valleys of the Val Venosta, within the municipality of Martello (Martell), in the Province of Bolzano, in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region. The valley cuts deep into the Ortler-Cevedale group, within the Stelvio National Park, and retains an intact rural and alpine character.

What is the Almabtrieb?

After a summer spent on high-altitude pastures, the herds are brought back to the valley at the beginning of autumn before the cold makes life in the mountain huts impractical. When the alpine grazing season concludes without incident, the return becomes a moment of celebration and thanksgiving: the animals are adorned with garlands of flowers, conifer branches, mountain herbs, and cowbells and led down the trails to the valley floor. It is a ritual passed down through generations in the South Tyrolean valleys that involves the entire farming community.

The festival at the Trattla center

Upon arrival, herdsmen and animals are welcomed at the Freizeitzentrum Trattla, the Val Martello recreation center, where a traditional festival is held. The program includes the drawing of the Glückstopf (the 'pot of luck', a local raffle), the sale of alpine products such as cheese and butter, food and wine stalls featuring rural cuisine, and folk music. The meeting time is generally set for 10:00 AM. The event is organized by the Bauernjugend Martell (rural youth), the Bäuerinnen (farm women's organization), and the Alminteressentschaft Martell (alpine pasture consortium), in collaboration with the Bürgergenossenschaft Martell.

Val Martello and the Stelvio National Park

Val Martello is known for its mountain strawberries, the Trattla biathlon center, and the alpine scenery of the Stelvio National Park. The Almabtrieb is part of the rich calendar of autumn transhumances in Val Venosta, each with its own dates and customs, and represents one of the most authentic expressions of South Tyrolean alpine heritage: not a staged performance for tourists, but a festival lived by the community as a thanksgiving for the safe return of the livestock.