The highlight of the alpine pasture season in Tyrol
In the Alpine region, most grazing animals get to enjoy the summer on mountain pastures and alpine meadows. This is also the case in Tyrol! Goats, sheep, horses and, of course, cows spend their summer in the Tyrolean mountains. What’s more, lush alpine meadows, cool valleys, clear mountain streams, shady forests and wild mountain herbs ensure the animals have a wonderful time in the great outdoors.
Most animals are left to fend for themselves during the summer months and are only visited occasionally by herdsmen. Depending on the size of the herd and the grazing area, herdsmen look after the animals’ welfare in summer and ensure that they do not leave the alpine pasture area.
On the other hand, some animals – particularly cows – are milked twice a day even during the summer on the alpine pastures and need a little more attention. The animals graze on the alpine pastures during the day and then return to the alpine farms of their own accord at their usual milking times.
Enjoy hay milk products right there on the spot
What’s more, in most cases the cows’ milk is processed directly on the alpine pastures. Delicious alpine cheese, butter and even milk can be bought right there on the spot. A traditional Tyrolean alpine snack made with the dairymen’s homemade produce simply tastes great.
Following an accident-free alpine grazing season, the locals celebrate the animals’ return home in autumn with a cattle drive. The animals are decked out with bells, flowers, colourful ribbons and sprigs. Afterwards, visitors and locals celebrate with culinary delights and music.
“Small but lovely”: Under this motto, farmers in the Hall-Wattens region celebrate this tradition at traditional farm festivals, far removed from mass tourism.
On Saturday 16 September from 1.00 pm, the Schafferer family at the Friedrichshof in Absam (Semmelweißstrasse 33) will be celebrating a safe return with a farm festival featuring a procession. With festively decorated cows, the procession will set off from the Linger roundabout, proceeding along Dörferstraße and then Stainerstraße to the Friedrichshof.