Putting together a trip to Switzerland. When is the best time of the year to see farmers herd the cows through the local towns? Seems such an iconic event to experience.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33821 posts
They go up in the Spring once the grass greens up and pasture is usable.
They come down in Autumn as the pasture runs out and before the weather turns.
Different dates in different places.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
We saw them in Wengen in late May--wearing their bells.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17427 posts
As Nigel says, the exact dates for the spring and fall cow parades can vary, and next year’s dates will not be set for some time. But I know of one cow parade that is predictable: numerous decorated cows join the parade during the Mürren Dorffest ( village festival). This takes place the first weekend in August. We have been twice and it is lots of fun. Highly recommended!
Posted by
Narberth, PA
1255 posts
A number of years ago I went to Austria in late Sept. The cow parades were beginning to be posted at this time of the year - late July. Try the myswitzerland website closer to time for actual dates or use words like Almabtrieb, Alpabtrieb, or Viehscheid in your searches. The English word (and sometimes used in Italy and maybe France, I believe) is transhumance.