Almabtrieb in Altrei (Cattle Drive)

The Anterivo cattle drive, an autumn ritual

The Almabtrieb in Altrei — known as the desmontegada in the local Trentino dialect — is the festival that annually marks the end of the summer grazing season in Anterivo/Altrei, a small municipality in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Trentino-South Tyrol. After months spent on high-altitude pastures, the herds return to the valley: cows and horses descend toward the village, where the community awaits them for a grand popular celebration. It is one of those rural rituals that have defined life in the alpine valleys for centuries and which are proudly preserved in Anterivo.

A unique village on the border between two provinces

Anterivo is a special place: it is the only German-speaking municipality in the Val di Fiemme and the last bastion of the ancient Germanic settlements east of the Adige river. Situated on the slopes of Monte Corno, within the Monte Corno Nature Park — the most biodiverse in South Tyrol — the village stands right on the border between the provinces of Bolzano and Trento. Here, the cattle drive takes on a strong sense of identity, celebrated by the Weideinteressentschaft Altrei, the pasture association that has managed the local mountain huts for generations.

How the day unfolds

The event brings the entire day to life, from early afternoon until late at night. The most anticipated moment is the arrival of the livestock: they depart from the alpine pastures around noon and enter the village shortly after, accompanied by the sound of cowbells and the applause of the crowd. This is followed by the main celebration in front of the Kultursaal, the village's cultural hall and the heart of the festivities.

• The animal parade: the herds descending from the mountain huts are often decorated according to alpine custom, with flowers and ornaments on their horns.
• The square festival: music, South Tyrolean and Trentino culinary specialties, and stalls with local products.
• The community atmosphere: an occasion where the entire village, together with visitors, celebrates the season that has just come to an end.

Local flavors and traditions

The festival is also an opportunity to discover mountain gastronomy and the products of Anterivo, including the famous Anterivo coffee, a substitute made from a lupin plant (the so-called Anterivo lupin) that was once roasted and consumed instead of real coffee. Hearty dishes, traditional desserts, and the hospitality of the community complete a day that blends nature, folk culture, and conviviality.

Why it's worth the trip

The Almabtrieb in Altrei is a genuine event, far from the major tourist flows, ideal for those seeking the most authentic side of South Tyrol. Immersed in the Monte Corno Nature Park, among forests and high-altitude meadows, visitors can experience firsthand a ritual that tells the story of the deep bond between man and the mountains in southern South Tyrol.