Zeppichler Almabtrieb

The cattle drive from the Zeppichl farm in Passeier Valley

The Zeppichler Almabtrieb is one of the traditional cattle drives (known as Almabtrieb in German) that bring the upper Passeier Valley to life every autumn. It takes place in Plan/Pfelders, the highest hamlet in the municipality of Moos in Passeier, in the province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige, specifically in the locality of Zeppichl. It is an event distinct from the more famous Passeirer Almabtrieb: here, it is the livestock of the "Zeppichler" farmers returning from their summer mountain pastures.

Flower-adorned livestock descending from the Lazinser Hof

The stars of the day are the animals that, having finished their season on the high-altitude pastures, return to the valley from the Lazinser Hof, the farm located in the deepest part of the Plan valley. The animals are adorned with striking floral decorations and traditional cowbells: a sign that the summer grazing season has ended happily and the herd is returning home safe and sound. Around 11:00 AM, the livestock leaves the farm and reaches the Zeppichl Festplatz by noon, where they are welcomed by locals and visitors alike.

The Zeppichler Jungbauern festival

Upon the herd's arrival, the festival organized by the Zeppichler Jungbauern (the local young farmers) begins. The day kicks off with a Frühschoppen—a mid-morning aperitif accompanied by the music of the Waltner Böhmische orchestra—and continues with entertainment by the group Die lustigen Stawanza. There are also performances of Schuhplattler, the traditional Tyrolean folk dance, featuring groups from Stulles (Stuls) and Meltina (Mölten), as well as shows by the Psairer Goaslschnöller, the whip-crackers of the Passeier Valley.

Games, gastronomy, and autumn atmosphere

During the festival, a traditional riddle game with prizes is held, and numerous local gastronomic specialties from the Passeier Valley are served throughout the day. The atmosphere is authentic and convivial, typical of mountain farming festivals, set in a natural landscape of rare beauty, surrounded by the peaks of the Texel Group and the Texel Group Nature Park.

Why it's worth attending

• An intimate and genuine cattle drive, an alternative to the larger Passeirer Almabtrieb
• Flower-adorned livestock descending from the Lazinser Hof to the Zeppichl Festplatz
• Frühschoppen with the Waltner Böhmische and music by Die lustigen Stawanza
• Schuhplattler from Stulles and Meltina and the Passeier Goaslschnöller
• Prize games, local valley specialties, and free entry in an alpine village at over 1,600 meters