Young Shepherds' Transhumance Festival

A festival for the young shepherds of the Walser mountains

The Young Shepherds' Transhumance Festival takes place in Carcoforo, a picturesque Walser town in the Province of Vercelli, Piedmont, set at an altitude of over 1,300 meters in Val d'Egua, a branch of the Upper Valsesia. In a village where pastoralism and alpine grazing have defined the rhythm of life for centuries, the event celebrates the young breeders who continue to choose to live and work in the mountains, carrying on the legacy of the transhumance.

Transhumance, the heart of Valsesian tradition

Transhumance, the seasonal movement of livestock between valleys and high-altitude pastures, has always been the cornerstone of the economy and identity of the Walser communities in Valsesia. The festival was created to give a voice to those who keep this tradition alive: a day of discussion and conviviality that highlights the work of breeders, the challenges of mountain pastoralism, and the delicate balance between human activity, alpine pastures, and wildlife.

The evening program

The event is centered on the evening at the Trasinerà Sporting in Carcoforo. In previous editions, the afternoon began with a discussion and debate dedicated to the themes of young pastoralism and the management of alpine resources, followed in the evening by a convivial dinner featuring traditional dishes from the shepherds of Valsermenza.

• Discussion session on mountain pastoralism
• Dinner with traditional dishes and local alpine products
• Dance party with live music

The musical entertainment is provided by Elisa Pisotti, who accompanies guests throughout the evening in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere that brings together locals, breeders, and visitors.

Carcoforo, a Walser jewel in Val d'Egua

Included in the circuit of Italy's most beautiful villages and immersed in the Protected Areas of Valsesia, Carcoforo preserves the architecture and culture of the Walser people, amidst larch forests, mountain huts, and ancient pastures. Attending the Young Shepherds' Transhumance Festival is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Piedmontese mountains and support those who keep the pastoral traditions of this extraordinary natural territory alive.