Understanding the essence of the Allgäuer Cattle Drive?

The Allgäu region in Germany is gearing up for its annual cattle drive, a popular event among locals and tourists alike. This tradition, known as the Alpabtrieb, spans over a month from Tuesday, September 9, to Saturday, October 11, 2025, making it the southernmost and highest-elevation cattle drive in the country.

During this time, approximately 30,000 young cattle, 2,500 dairy cows, 300 horses, 420 pigs, 400 sheep, and 250 goats return from the mountains to the valley at the end of summer. The Alpabtrieb is steeped in tradition and unique terminology, some of which can be found in a little dictionary created to introduce these terms to visitors.

One such term is "schumpen," a term specific to the Allgäu cattle drive tradition. Other traditional terms include those related to the process of guiding the animals down from the alps, such as the "schmied" (blacksmith), "alpenschreier" (mountain caller), and "alpenschwänger" (mountain swinger).

Some alps in the Allgäu region have a "wreath cow," while others do not. This cow is adorned with flowers and bells and leads the herd in the cattle drive. The Allgäu Cattle Drive Quiz 2025, an online interactive quiz, aims to educate participants about these traditions and terminology.

To ensure a smooth cattle drive, there are certain points to keep in mind. These include maintaining a safe distance from the herd, giving way to the cattle drive when necessary, and respecting the local customs and traditions.

For those interested in testing their knowledge about the Allgäu Cattle Drive, the Allgäu Cattle Drive Quiz 2025 is available online. The quiz requires user consent to display certain external content. An overview of all the dates for the cattle drives in the Allgäu region in 2025 can also be found online.

In addition to the main event, there are various other activities and competitions taking place during the Alpabtrieb season. One such event is a cow patty tossing competition in Oberschönegg, although the exact date for 2025 has yet to be confirmed.

For those who wish to delve deeper into the history and curiosities of the Allgäu Cattle Drive, there are numerous resources available. These range from historical facts about the tradition to insights into the various Alpine meadows that have grazing cows due to traditional pasture areas, differences in land use, accessibility, ownership, or environmental protection measures.

Whether you're a local or a tourist, the Allgäu Cattle Drive is an event not to be missed. So, mark your calendars and join in the celebration of this unique Alpine tradition.