UPDATED MAR 2020. Cows in flower crowns – what more do you need? The Descent of the Alpine Cows is a traditional and completely adorable festival not to be missed. I recently planned a last-minute visit to the town of Blatten in Switzerland to see the festival for myself and it did not disappoint. The weekend away basically involved the cultural festival, as well as lots of cheese, beer, bratwurst, hiking amongst incredible scenery, and lots of cute animals. In today’s post, I’m sharing the details so you can plan your own trip to see the unique festival. As always, if you have any questions, let me know.
The Descent Of The Alpine Cows Festival – A Weekend In Blatten
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Basic information for the Descent of Alpine Cows festivals
Location: Alpine regions in Europe including Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and northern Italy
Other names: Almabtrieb (Germany), Alpabzug (Switzerland), Transhumanza (Italy)
Cost: Usually free to enter but you’ll want to have money for the great food, drinks, and crafts
What is the Descent of the Alpine Cows festival
The Descent of the Alpine Cows festival is exactly as it sounds. It is a festival where cows descend from the mountains.
Each year, farmers escort their cows down from the mountains before winter to get them away from the harsh conditions. It’s a tradition that has been turned into festivals in many alpine regions.
At the festival, people cheer on the farmers as they walk their cows, dressed in flower crowns, through the streets.
After the cows enter the town, they are allowed some rest in a grassy area while the celebrations continue.
Farmers have a chance to talk about their cows, stalls are set up with local creators selling their goods, and everyone enjoys some beer and bratwurst.
In the afternoon, the cows move on to their winter home.
When can you see them?
The festivals happen throughout September and into October each year.
Where can you see the festivals?
The beauty of these festivals is that you can find them in different towns, regions and even countries.
Basically anywhere in an alpine region. I visited a festival in Switzerland, though you could also attend a festival in places like northern Italy, Germany or Austria.
The Descent of the Alpine Cows in Blatten, Switzerland
I attended a festival in the small town of Blatten in Switzerland which was pure mountainside magic.
The cows were scheduled to arrive sometime between 9 and 10am and, though it was a small town, people lined the streets awaiting their arrival.
You can feel the anticipation building. Collectively, everyone would look up the slope and hold our breaths every time we heard a noise.
It doesn’t get much cuter than the Descent of the Alpine Cows festival.
We were usually disappointed to find that the noise was just a car or something equally un-cowlike. Until one noise stood out from the others.
A distinctive cowbell.
It was time to welcome the cows!
What to expect
Farmers walked proudly with their cows down the street, while the crowd cheered and clapped for the entire procession.
Once the cows moved into the festival area, they were tied up in a grassy area for a little well deserved rest.
Maybe the rest was for the farmers as well as they stopped for a cold one and a bratwurst fresh off the grill.
You could feel the love and pride the farmers had for their cows which was one of my favorite things about this festival. Once the cows were tied up, the farmers went around with fresh water for them to drink, and removed the crowns from the cows who didn’t like wearing them.
Often times throughout the day I would see one of the farmers standing by their cows giving lots of pets, chin scratches, and cuddles which was so heartwarming.
This wasn’t a type of animal exploitation event. Instead, there was a lot of love for these animals as they made their way to their winter homes.
Travel Tip: Make sure you try some grilled Raclette cheese while you’re there!
Where to stay in Blatten
My accommodation in Blatten was Hotel Blattnerhof. I picked it on a whim after looking for last-minute deals on Booking.com and it turned out to be one of those hidden gems that exceeded any and all expectations.
The hotel was a one minute walk to the festival which was super convenient. I even took a few trips back to my room throughout the day to drop off and pick up my jacket as the weather changed.
It had all the usual things you would expect from a hotel – clean, cozy rooms, wi-fi, great breakfast, and parking. What set it apart was the wellness center which includes a steam room, sauna, indoor and outdoor pool, and relaxing chairs.
It costs an extra 20CHF (20USD) but is so worth it! After the long day hiking in the mountains, it felt so good to relax and give those muscles a little TLC.
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Other things to do in Blatten
I recommend making the most of your trip and turning it into a weekend away in Blatten.
For 25CHF (25USD) each way you, can take the ski lift up the mountain to Belalp. There you will find lots of hiking trails with magnificent, scenic views.
It’s not all rugged, intense hiking either. There are hikes for all skill levels, and even just strolling around is beautiful up there. I recommend stopping in at the Hamilton Lodge for lunch with a view and make sure you try their famous burger – it’s delicious!
If you have more time, you could also take a day trip to Zermatt to see the famous Matterhorn. The town of Täsch near the Matterhorn also has an alpine cow festival.
If you want to stay close to Blatten, you could also drive down to the town below, Naters, to explore more restaurants and stores.
For more information:
Check the event dates for the different towns on the My Switzerland website.
Hotel Blattnerhof can be found here.
Here is more information for festivals in north Italy (open with Google Chrome to translate).
Here is more information on festivals in Germany (open with Google Chrome to translate).
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Awwww how cute are they 🐂🐑 and you can see how devoted the farmers are, that hotel looks postcade perfect😍
Yeah the farmers had so much pride in their cows and were always giving them cuddles and showing them off to everyone. So nice to see!
This festival is so authentic and a great occasion to see the animals in such a special posture. I know that in Switzerland they are not allowed to walk freely and have to stay only in the farms. I wonder how such a festival would take place in Romania, where cows and sheep still walk freely down the street and it’s a natural scene of the every day life.
Oh wow, that’s so interesting that they can walk freely in Romania! I think I gotta visit just so I can see them!
I literally love cows so much and would love to see something like this. I love how dedicated and kind the farmers seem to be! I haven’t been to this region of the world quite yet, but if and when I do I want to try to go during this time!
I hope you get to see one of the festivals when you visit this way 🙂
What a fun festival! I love animal festivals and it’s so fun seeing the proud farmers as well! I love that the gave them water and took care of their needs if they hated the crowns. The hotel looks lovely as well! I love when accommodation exceeds expectations like that!
Yesss always the best surprise when hotels are better than expected!
What a unique and fun festival you got to experience. My family in Nebraska have a farm with cows and they have so much personality. I could see my uncle being one of those proud farmers walking with his cows.
Ohh that’s so sweet, maybe Nebraska needs something like this so he can show off his cows!
What a lovely and colourful festival. The cows look resplendent in their decorative attire. I have visited Switzerland twice but unfortunately have not had an opportunity to witness this sweet festival. I am amazed at how the cows are revered and valued.
Yeah it was like they were on a pedestal and definitely the stars of the show which was so cool to see. I hope you get to visit one day!
Seems like the Swiss and Indians have one thing in common – Cows are revered in both countries. The festival is something I have never heard of although have been to the country a few times. It would be really interesting to visit during the festival and get a chance to see the spectacle.
I hope you get to see one of the festivals next time you visit this way 🙂
Omg this is just the cutest! The cows look absolutely precious and those flower crowns are s-t-y-l-i-s-h!!! I love that you ventured into Switzerland to partake in this very cultural event! And I am so happy to hear that there was an honest bond between farmer and cow. It seems like this is part of the bucolic lifestyle and I just love the simplicity and tradition behind this festivity!
They are so adorable right?! Such a cool and unique festival to attend, I love all the tradition too!
Wow, this is actually one of the interesting events I’ve read. I never thought cows could rhyme together and do this kind of event. I find them so cute and I love that they’re really friendly. I wish to witness this kind of event If I get the chance. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I hope you get to see it if you visit this way 🙂 It’s such a cool experience!