Transhumanz – Sheep Drive to the Ötztal (Summer Ascent)

The most spectacular transhumance in the Alps

The Transhumanz of Val Senales (Schnalstal), in the municipality of Senales/Schnals in the province of Bolzano, is one of the most fascinating traditional events in the entire Trentino-Alto Adige region. Every summer, around mid-June, shepherds guide between three and four thousand sheep and goats from the farms of Maso Corto/Kurzras and Vernago/Vernagt to the high-altitude pastures of Vent, in the Austrian Ötztal valley. It is the opening act of a centuries-old pastoral ritual that concludes in September with the return of the flocks to the valley.

A UNESCO-recognized ritual

Since 2019, the Transhumanz has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. It is the only transhumance in the world that crosses both a glacier and a national border between Italy and Austria on the same route. The total journey, round trip, exceeds 44 kilometers and crosses snowfields, gullies, and the two alpine passes of Hochjoch (2,857 m) and Niederjoch (3,019 m).

Two routes, one tradition

The flocks ascend following two distinct itineraries: from Maso Corto/Kurzras they pass through the Hochjoch and descend into the Rofental, while from Vernago/Vernagt they cross the Niederjoch to reach the Niedertal. The departure takes place at night, generally around 5:00 AM, when the snow is still frozen and safer for the animals. Shepherds, assistants, and dogs accompany the animals in a long line that winds through the peaks of the Ötztal Alps.

How to participate

• The ski lifts of Val Senales open at 9:00 AM to allow spectators to reach the high altitude and witness the passage of the flocks.
• The event is free to attend, but to reach the panoramic viewpoints at high altitude, you must purchase a cable car or chairlift ticket.
• In case of bad weather, dates may be subject to change, decided at the last minute by the shepherds for the safety of the animals.

Val Senales, a land of pastures and glaciers

Val Senales is also famous for the discovery of Ötzi, the Iceman, and maintains a strong bond with South Tyrolean farming and pastoral culture. The Transhumanz is a living testament to this heritage: an event that unites nature, tradition, and border communities, attracting enthusiasts, photographers, and curious visitors from across the Alps every year.