Cattle Drive in Oberstdorf in the Oberallgäu
During the Viehscheid (cattle drive) in September, the cattle are returned to the valley, and accompanied by the loud ringing of cowbells, the cattle are handed back to their owners. An event you definitely shouldn't miss. But you're not alone ;) Every year, up to 20,000 visitors follow this tradition.
Traditionally, the herds, consisting of over 900 head of cattle, arrive from the Oberstdorf Galtal Alps at the Oberstdorf Viehscheidplatz in the Ried, thus bringing the Oberstdorf mountain summer to a close. The Kranzrind (crowned cattle) leads the herd, sporting a festively decorated headdress of flowers and mirrors. However, the Kranzrind (crowned cattle) is only decorated if the alpine summer has passed without incident.
But what are Galtal Alps, you ask?
Young cows that are not yet producing milk are also called Galtvieh (sheep). Over the course of the summer, the cattle are driven ever higher into the mountains, from one Galtalpe to the next. No milk is processed there, and these alpine pastures are usually not farmed.
Viehscheid also takes place in September in the Oberstdorf district of Schöllang, Bad Hindelang, Gunzesried, Obermaiselstein, and Immenstadt.
