Albstadt Shepherd Festival

Shepherd Tradition on the Alb Slope

The Albstadt Shepherd Festival is the most important festival for wander shepherds on the southern Swabian Alb (Zollernalb district, state of Baden-Württemberg). The venue is the Raichberg near Albstadt-Onstmettingen – a 956-meter-high ridge on the Alb slope with one of Southern Germany's most famous viewpoints. In clear weather, the view extends from the Vosges over the Black Forest to the Alps. The festival is organized by the Schwäbischer Albverein Onstmettingen local group in cooperation with Albstadt Tourism.

The Juniper Heaths — Habitat Thanks to Sheep

The region around the Raichberg is one of Germany's most valuable juniper heath areas. This semi-open cultural landscape with sparse juniper growth, calcareous lean meadows, and rare plants was created and is maintained exclusively through grazing by sheep. Without the wander shepherds and their flocks, the juniper heaths would become overgrown within a few decades. The Shepherd Festival is therefore more than folklore – it is a living tribute to the craft that preserves this unique landscape.

Program Highlights

• Sheep Shearing Demonstrations — experienced shepherds demonstrate traditional shearing with hand shears and electric shears
• Shepherd's Race — a sporting competition where shepherds demonstrate their skills
• Charcoal Burner's Exhibition — historical charcoal burning with demonstrations of charcoal production
• Petting Zoo for Children — sheep, lambs, ponies
• Creative Workshop for Children with wool felting and crafts
• Wool Processing — spinning, felting, weaving at an open booth
• Market — sheep wool products (blankets, sweaters, socks, felt hats), sheep cheese, sheepskins, lamb specialties
• Regional Culinary Delights — lamb sausage, lamb shank, Käsespätzle, 'Most' (apple cider)
• Folk Music — regional brass bands and music groups

Onstmettingen — Mountain Village on the Alb

The district of Onstmettingen belongs to the city of Albstadt, the largest medium-sized center in the Zollernalb district. Located at the foot of the Alb slope, Onstmettingen is a popular starting point for hikes on the Swabian Alb. The Raichberg Tower – a 25-meter-high observation tower – is located in the immediate vicinity of the festival grounds and offers the famous 360-degree panorama.

Connection to the Albverein

The Schwäbischer Albverein (founded in 1888) is one of Germany's largest hiking associations with around 80,000 members. The Onstmettingen local group has been fostering the Shepherd Festival for decades as a meeting point for hiking tradition and shepherd's craft – two pillars of Swabian identity. Visitors to the festival can then explore the marked hiking trails around the Raichberg.