Almabtrieb of the Kuppelwieser Alm

A farming tradition of the Ultental Valley

The Almabtrieb of the Kuppelwieser Alm is the cattle drive festival that marks the end of the summer grazing season in the Ultental Valley (Val d'Ultimo), in the municipality of Ultimo/Ulten, in the province of Bolzano (South Tyrol). From mid-June to mid-September, cows, sheep, goats, and horses graze on the mountain pastures of the valley at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters. With the arrival of autumn, the livestock is brought back down to the valley: this is the Almabtrieb, a moment deeply rooted in South Tyrolean culture and celebration.

Decorated cows and the cracking of whips

If the grazing season has passed without incident, the cows are brought back to the valley richly decorated: wreaths of evergreen conifer branches, flowers, and traditional ornaments adorn the lead cow and those following. The descent from the Kuppelwieser Alm culminates with the arrival at the Steinrast, welcomed by the rhythmic cracking of whips from the Ultner Goaßlschnöller, the typical South Tyrolean whip-crackers who skillfully mark this ancient ritual.

Music, gastronomy, and celebration

The day is not just a farming ritual, but a true festive occasion for the community and guests. Upon the arrival of the procession, the gathering comes alive with live music and traditional gastronomy provided by the Goaßlschnöller themselves: homemade dishes, fried pastries prepared by the farm women, drinks, and valley specialties. It is the perfect opportunity to savor the authentic atmosphere of rural South Tyrol, amidst tradition, alpine landscapes, and mountain hospitality.

When it takes place

The Almabtrieb of the Kuppelwieser Alm traditionally takes place in September, like the numerous other cattle drives that enliven the Ultental Valley during this period (Spitzner Alm, Kirchbergalm, Marschnell Alm, and others). The date varies from year to year based on the grazing season and is announced by the organizers close to the event. In 2025, the festival took place on September 6th, with arrival at the Steinrast around 1:30 PM.

A living heritage of South Tyrol

The autumn transhumance is much more than a folkloric event: it is a chapter in the agricultural calendar of the South Tyrolean mountains, celebrating the bond between farming families, livestock, and high-altitude pastures. Attending the Almabtrieb of the Kuppelwieser Alm means experiencing one of the most defining traditions of the Trentino-Alto Adige region firsthand, in one of the most pristine and secluded valleys in the entire territory.