Desalpes or Alpabzug in 2026? Where?

Appenzell doesn’t post them online, but you can sign up for email notifications. Write to the tourist information and ask to be on the mailing list.

https://www.appenzell.ch/en/home.html

They have been going on for a few weeks already, including today and next Monday and Tuesday. Not sure if they will still be ongoing during your dates, but it would be hard to plan for as the notices are always last minute.

For other locations take a look at the Switzerland tourism events page.

Because of very severe drought, some descents are already happening, ahead of schedule. Keep checking the relevant websites till the very last minute to avoid disappointment.

https://www.myswitzerland.com/de-ch/erlebnisse/veranstaltungen/veranstaltungen-suche/?rubrik=alpabzuegeaelplerfeste

Thank you. yes, I have just read elsewhere that the descents are happening early this year, which is why there is some "confusion" on dates posted at various websites.

I will probably have to search for desalpes/alpabzugs individually by name/location if the dates are, understandably, shifting. I have signed up with Alpenzell tourism for their newsletter.

Otherwise, can you please specific events by name to research? And specifically, when you say the "Switzerland tourism website" which website do you mean? Sorry to seem so clueless; there seem to be several "official sites." RS links to "myswitzerland.com"

thank you.

This is the website that I meant, same one Wanderweg posted. Here it is in English with your travel dates selected:

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/events/events-search/?date_from=2026-09-16&date_to=2026-09-26&rubrik=alpinefestivals&noidx=1

I have found them to be very up to date in the past. When it was Covid, and most events ended up being cancelled, they always reflected that on their website. It might say "abgesagt", like the one in Emmental does.

You can also look at the tourism websites for any canton that you want to visit, and then also any town or village website as well. I mostly know what is in the Berner Oberland, but not eastern Switzerland so much, so can't recommend any individual events.

If Appenzell happens to work out that is a really great choice. They have such colourful traditional costumes, the cows are not usually decorated with flowers, but the people more than make up for that. The men usually yodel as they walk, they often have children who herd some white goats as they go along. The email that you receive always tells the route - which alp they are coming from and the towns they pass through and then the approximate time they will be on the main street in Appenzell. I have gotten lots of really great photos of this event over the years, especially when I have gone to one of the locations before Appenzell and walked along with them for a while. That is really fun to do, as long as you don't get in their way they don't mind and will often break into song.

I know you want a small event, but when it is only one farmer, or maybe two, the amount of cows are very small the they pass you by in a matter of minutes. The link above also has other events, such as this one, which can really be a fun, cultural experience as well.

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/events/alpine-descent-and-farmers-market-urnaesch/

Thank you. This is very helpful.

I think I will plan around Klosters-Monbeil event on 19 September, and hope that the date holds. In 2025 there was a shuttle from Klosters Platz to Klosters-Monbeil, so I will hope for a shuttle in 2026 as well. Now I will look for accommodation on 18 September with reasonable access to the shuttle.

Fingers crossed also that I will get email from Appenzell tourism with dates; they say 1-5 days prior.

Thank you again for the help.

I go in September regularly, and the descents are always a highlight! However, it's tricky to catch them in smaller towns. One suggestion is to attend the Sichlete agricultural and farm festival in Bern, this year on Monday, 21 September, 2026. It's guaranteed to see the cows coming through the streets of Bern, plus you get alphorns, flag waving, bell parades, sheep shearing, cheese making, and a cow beauty contest in the bargain!

The event happens on the Bundesplatz from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (17:00) and makes for a wonderful centerpiece to a beautiful visit to Bern. Here are the details and current schedule: https://www.bernerbauern.ch/sichlete

It's not cows coming down a mountain (they come from the nearby National Horse Center), but it's a fantastic concentration of what makes Switzerland, Switzerland. Excellent food on offer from farms and loads of fun for children and adults. See you there!

I think I will plan around Klosters-Monbeil event on 19 September, and
hope that the date holds.

Sounds like a great idea and this looks like a fun event! You have probably seen it advertised on the Davos tourism website as well, which would be another location to check regarding cancellation.

https://www.davos.ch/erleben/events/traditioneller-alpabzug-in-klosters-monbiel-2026

In 2025 there was a shuttle from Klosters Platz to Klosters-Monbeil,
so I will hope for a shuttle in 2026 as well.

Yes, you can see that there is a bus that runs every half an hour - take a look at SBB website or app.

Hope Appenzell works out for you. Enjoy your trip!