Transhumance Festival (Almabtrieb)

The Transhumance Festival on the Salto plateau

When the larches of the Salto begin to turn gold, above San Genesio Atesino/Jenesien (Province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige), one of the most authentic rituals of the South Tyrolean autumn is renewed: the Transhumance Festival, or Almabtrieb. This is the moment when the herds that have grazed all summer on the high-altitude meadows return to the village, accompanied by the farmers and young agriculturalists who have tended to them.

The festival is organized by the farmers and young agriculturalists of San Genesio, who open up a day of celebration on the plateau to everyone—families, hikers, and curious visitors alike. The cows are decorated according to tradition, with flower crowns and larch branches on their heads and large bells around their necks, as a sign of gratitude for an alpine grazing season concluded without incident.

The Salto, Europe's largest larch plateau

The natural stage for the festival is the Salto (Salten), which stretches between 1,300 and 1,500 meters in altitude and is considered the largest larch plateau in Europe. Mentioned as early as the 13th century (from the Latin saltus, meaning "woodland"), it is a succession of pastures, larch forests, ancient farmsteads, and barns, dominated by the peaks of Monte Tschaufen (1,468 m) and Langfenn (1,527 m). In autumn, the golden larch needles, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and the flavors of Törggelen make the atmosphere unforgettable.

A journey across the plateau

The transhumance begins in the morning from Metzgersalten and crosses the plateau with a first stop at the sports field, before reaching the Thurner meadow, above the village, where the main festival takes place. Between food stalls, music, and conviviality, the day continues until evening with a party in the marquee.

A living South Tyrolean tradition

The Almabtrieb is not a tourist re-enactment but an authentic farmers' festival that marks the end of the alpine grazing season and celebrates the deep bond between the community of San Genesio and its mountain. For those visiting South Tyrol in autumn, it is the ideal opportunity to experience the folklore and popular traditions of the Province of Bolzano up close.