Désarpa of Valpelline
The return of the herds to the valley, between cowbells and tradition
About Désarpa Valpelline
What is the Désarpa
The Désarpa is the festival that celebrates the descent of the herds from the mountain pastures at the end of summer, when the cattle leave the high-altitude pastures to return to the valley floor stables. It is one of the most cherished traditions of the Aosta Valley, linked to the culture of livestock farming and the life of mountain communities. In Valpelline, a side valley leading towards the Great St Bernard massif, the Désarpa marks the symbolic moment when the alpine grazing season concludes.
The herds cross the village
The heart of the festival is the descent of the herds, which, coming down from the mountain pastures, cross the municipal territory to reach the village stables. The cows advance to the unmistakable sound of the sonnaglie (cowbells), accompanied by the herders, in a procession that draws residents and visitors along the streets. The Désarpa of Valpelline does not have a fixed date: the precise day is determined by the herders based on the conditions of the mountain pastures and the rhythm of the transhumance, generally between late September and early October.
A community celebration
Around the descent of the herds, a moment of celebration and conviviality is created, with the welcome of the residents, aperitifs, and tastings of typical products at the village gathering points. It is an opportunity to experience an authentic tradition of the Aosta Valley mountains up close, where transhumance is not a reconstructed folklore but a living part of the local economy and identity. The Désarpa thus allows visitors to discover Valpelline in its most genuine aspect, far from the major tourist circuits.
Désarpa Valpelline — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Désarpa of Valpelline will take place, as is tradition, between late September and early October. The definitive date is not set in the calendar but is decided by the herders based on the conditions of the mountain pastures and the timing of the transhumance. The central moment is the descent of the herds which, to the sound of cowbells, cross the municipal territory to the village stables, accompanied by a moment of celebration and welcome with typical products. The detailed program will be announced closer to the event.
Programme Désarpa Valpelline 2026
The schedule for the Désarpa of Valpelline is not published far in advance: the date and times depend on the actual descent of the herds from the mountain pastures, decided by the herders based on seasonal conditions. The day is structured around the passage of the herds through the municipal territory to the village stables, with the welcome of the residents and convivial moments with tastings of typical Aosta Valley products. The definitive program and date will be announced by the Municipality of Valpelline and local tourist channels closer to the event.
Highlights Désarpa Valpelline 2026
Prices Désarpa Valpelline 2026
Practical information — Désarpa Valpelline
How to get there
Valpelline can be reached by car from Aosta by driving up the Buthier valley through Gignod (about 15 km). The nearest train station is Aosta, on the Turin-Aosta line. In autumn, it is advisable to check the mountain road conditions.
When
The Désarpa takes place between late September and early October, with no fixed date: the day is decided by the herders based on the descent of the herds from the mountain pastures.
Where to get information
Dates and details at the Municipality of Valpelline and local tourist channels (valpellineallseason.it).
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Where does it take place — Désarpa Valpelline
Capoluogo di Valpelline