Sextner Almabtrieb

The autumn transhumance at the foot of the Tre Cime

The Sextner Almabtrieb is a traditional festival celebrating the return of livestock from summer alpine pastures to the valley floor stables, an ancient ritual of alpine communities. It takes place in Sesto/Sexten, a municipality in the Upper Puster Valley in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in the heart of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, with the magnificent backdrop of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it is time for herds and shepherds to conclude their stay at high altitude. The cows, in particular, are carefully adorned: the lead cow and those following her wear crowns decorated with sayings, images of saints, and elaborate embroidery, a sign of a season spent in the mountain pastures without incident.

The parade and the festival program

The event brings the entire town center to life with a day of rural celebration. The most anticipated moment is the livestock parade, which starts from the village of Moss/Moos and passes through Sesto between two wings of spectators.

• The festival opens in the morning in the center of Sesto
• The transhumance parade sets off from Moss/Moos around noon
• Concerts by Tyrolean bands and musical groups at the pavilion near Haus Sexten
• Farmers' market with typical South Tyrolean products
• Traditional competitions and prize games, Schuhplattler dances, and demonstrations of ancient agricultural crafts
• Culinary specialties prepared by local farmers

A tradition of the Dolomite "Golden Autumn"

The Sextner Almabtrieb is part of the Goldener Herbst ("Golden Autumn") experiences of the Tre Cime, when the woods are tinged with warm colors and the valleys celebrate the end of the summer in the alpine pastures. For visitors, it is an opportunity to discover South Tyrolean rural culture up close, amidst folk music, traditional costumes, and genuine flavors, in one of the most famous natural settings in the Dolomites.

The event is organized by the Sesto Tourist Association (Tourismusverein Sexten) and is free to attend, attracting numerous visitors every year, including both local residents and tourists.