We were in Appenzell in June 2023 and by chance experienced the smaller number of cows ascending the Saturday after the main cow ascent to higher ground. We are now looking at going back in September 2026 and would like to experience a cow descent celebration. We found some advertised dates for this but are now wondering if it is worth the special trip for those dates. Wondering if it is just a more commercialized event for tourists... Thoughts? Experiences? Thanks in advance for sharing!!
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1342 posts
It's not "commercialized". They're legitimately bringing the cows down from the mountains for the winter. They do cultural festivities around it, but that's not for the tourists. They'd be doing it even if no tourists were there, as the locals are celebrating. It's sort of like saying that a harvest or fall festival in the US is for tourists....
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Good to know!! Thank you so much!!!
Posted by
Green Bay
23305 posts
I saw a documentary about the Almabtrieb (cow descent) in Suedtirol, Apparently, if one of the cows dies during the summer on the mountain, the cows are not decorated during the decent, as they in mourning.
Posted by
Chicago
4223 posts
Some relevant information on this thread from last year:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/cow-parade