Almabtrieb in Meransen

The most festive cattle drive on the Meransen plateau

Every year at the end of September, the small village of Meransen — a district of the municipality of Rio di Pusteria, in the Province of Bolzano, nestled at 1,414 meters above sea level on a sunny plateau above the Isarco Valley — hosts one of its most anticipated days: the Almabtrieb, the traditional autumn cattle drive. After a summer spent in high-altitude pastures, the herds return to the valley, and their safe return is celebrated with a genuine South Tyrolean Bauernfest, a farmers' festival rooted in the alpine culture of this part of South Tyrol.

Decorated cows and the folk procession

The heart of the event is the procession of festively adorned cows: the animals descend from the pastures with their heads decorated with garlands, mirrors, cowbells, and floral arrangements, a sign that the grazing season has ended without incident. Accompanying them along Aignerstraße are groups of Schuhplattler, traditional costume associations, the Meransen Schützen band, and musicians from across the region, along with Haflinger horses, riders, and carriages. It is a colorful and lively spectacle, marked by the sound of cowbells and folk music, which draws numerous visitors to the plateau every year.

The Bauernfest and traditional flavors

The festival itself unfolds around the procession. The local farmers prepare specialties of the regional cuisine: Tirtlan (savory stuffed fritters typical of South Tyrol), sweet Krapfen, and other local delicacies. A farmers' market offers authentic Tyrolean crafts, mountain herbs, honey, speck, apples, schnapps, and alpine cheeses, while musical entertainment takes place in the hall and on the festival square. The day thus combines the ritual dimension of the cattle drive with the convivial atmosphere of a village fair.

A symbol of South Tyrolean alpine culture

The Almabtrieb in Meransen is not just a tourist attraction: it is a moment of identity that marks the transition from summer to autumn in the mountain farming world. For those visiting the Gitschberg Jochtal holiday area, it is the ideal opportunity to discover the traditions of the Puster Valley and the Isarco Valley up close, set against a backdrop of alpine huts, pastures, and Dolomite panoramas. The event is organized by the Gitschberg Jochtal Tourist Association, which manages the reception and program every year.