Desmontegada de le Caore

The Desmontegada de le Caore in Cavalese

Every September, the town of Cavalese, the main hub of the Val di Fiemme in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), revives one of the most evocative Alpine traditions: the Desmontegada de le Caore. This festival marks the return of goats from high-altitude pastures to the valley floor. It is a traditional autumn transhumance ritual, where herds leave their summer grazing grounds to return to the village, accompanied by their farmers and three days of festivities.

The Goat Parade

The heart of the event is the goat parade, held on Sunday afternoon. Over 350 goats, decorated with flowers, colorful ribbons, and traditional cowbells, walk through the streets of Cavalese's historic center with their breeders. It is a captivating spectacle, filled with the rhythmic sound of cowbells and the cheers of the crowd gathered along the route to admire the animals and their whimsical floral decorations.

Market and Gastronomy

Throughout the festival, the town hosts the Desmontegada Market, featuring stalls with local crafts and regional specialties: goat cheeses from the Val di Fiemme Dairy, butter, ricotta, mountain honey, luganega sausages, and the traditional fortaie. Food stands offer polenta, street food, and farm-to-table dishes, while the «I Magnifici Prodotti di Fiemme» (The Magnificent Products of Fiemme) initiative features special menus dedicated to goat-based products in local restaurants and agriturismos along the Dolomite Cheese Trail.

Music, Workshops, and Families

The Desmontegada is more than just a parade: the three-day program includes live folk music, dance parties with local bands, workshops for children with master pastry chefs, guided walking tours of the town, tastings, show cooking, and visits to mountain huts. The festival kicks off the autumn season in Val di Fiemme, blending rural tradition, mountain culture, and warm hospitality for the whole family.

A Val di Fiemme Tradition

The desmontegada is rooted in the pastoral economy of the Trentino Dolomites; historically, the return of animals from high pastures was a crucial moment for the entire community. Today, the Desmontegada de le Caore in Cavalese keeps this memory alive, promoting local goat farming and its products while attracting visitors to the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site.