Name: Almabtrieb over the Königssee 2026
Start: 2026-10-05T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-15T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Seelände am Königssee

Almabtrieb Königssee

About Almabtrieb Königssee

The Almabtrieb over the Königssee is one of the most extraordinary traditional events in the Alps: Around 30 festively decorated cows are transported in October from the Saletalm and Fischunkelalm alpine pastures in the south of the Königssee on flat special boats, so-called »Landauer«, across the lake to the Seelände near Schönau. Since the valley side of these alpine pastures is inaccessible, the one-hour lake transport has been the only way for centuries - the only Almabtrieb across a body of water in the entire Alpine region. The date and program are deliberately not announced in advance: the alpine farmers decide at short notice depending on the weather and the course of the alpine summer.

Dates 05 Oct — 15 Oct 2026

Venue Schönau a.Königssee (09172)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Almabtrieb Königssee — edition 2026

The Almabtrieb over the Königssee is expected to take place in early to mid-October 2026. As every year, the exact date is deliberately not announced in advance – it depends on the weather and the course of the alpine summer. Around 30 decorated cows are transported on »Landauer« boats from Saletalm and Fischunkelalm across the Königssee to the Seelände in Schönau.

In 2026, the alpine farmers of Saletalm and Fischunkelalm will once again continue their centuries-old tradition: at the end of the alpine summer, around 30 cows – provided the summer has been accident-free – will be decorated with Fuikl ornaments and transported on flat »Landauer« boats across the Königssee to the Seelände in Schönau.

Since the valley side of the two alpine pastures is inaccessible, the one-hour lake transport has been the only way to the valley for generations – the world's only Almabtrieb across a body of water in the Alpine region.

Highlights Almabtrieb Königssee 2026

The only Almabtrieb across a body of water in the Alpine region; around 30 decorated cows on »Landauer« boats across the Königssee; tradition for centuries – date deliberately not announced.

Programme Almabtrieb Königssee 2026

Tradition

Aug 24 – St. Bartholomew's Day: Start of Fuikl production (approx. 30 hours per animal)
Early/Mid-October – Almabtrieb (date subject to short-notice weather changes)
Loading of cows onto »Landauer« boats at Saletalm and Fischunkelalm
One-hour crossing of the Königssee to the Seelände in Schönau

The animals are only decorated if the alpine summer has been accident-free. This is a farmers' tradition, not a staged event – postponements are possible.

Prices Almabtrieb Königssee 2026

Free to observe at the Seelände. Note: This is a farmers' tradition, not an official event – dates are not announced in advance.

Practical information

Practical information — Almabtrieb Königssee

Getting There

Seelände am Königssee, 83471 Schönau a.Königssee. By car via the A8 (exit Bad Reichenhall) and the B305. By train to Berchtesgaden Hbf and then by bus to the Königssee boat landing stage. Large car park available at the Seelände; arrival by RVO bus is recommended.

Date and Information

No official date announcement. Inquiries via the Königssee Tourist Info or the Berchtesgaden Tourist Info. The Almabtrieb usually takes place in early to mid-October; at short notice depending on the weather.

Tip

Take the electric Königssee boat service to St. Bartholomä and the Salet landing stage, then go for a hike to the Saletalm or Fischunkelalm – this way you can experience the background of this unique Almabtrieb on site.

Unique Almabtrieb in the Alpine Region

The Almabtrieb over the Königssee is one of the most extraordinary traditional events in the Berchtesgaden Alps. Unlike classic Almabtriebs, where cattle are driven down into the valley, the cows from the Saletalm and Fischunkelalm alpine pastures in the southern Königssee must be transported back to the valley by boat – a custom that is unique throughout the Alpine region.

From St. Bartholomew's Day to the Almabtrieb

Preparations begin on August 24th (St. Bartholomew's Day), the traditional closing day of the alpine summer in the Berchtesgaden region. From then on, the Fuikl are made – artfully handcrafted floral and fir branch decorations with which the cow heads are adorned. Farmers spend around 30 hours decorating each animal, but only if the summer on the alpine pasture has been accident-free. If a dairymaid or an animal dies on the alpine pasture, the Almabtrieb remains undecorated – out of respect for the deceased.

Across the Lake with the Landauer

The cows are loaded onto flat wooden boats specially constructed for the Königssee cattle, the Landauer. The crossing from the southern shore to the Seelände near Schönau takes about an hour. For about a hundred years, engines have taken over the task of rowers; however, the tradition itself has remained unchanged for centuries. Around 30 animals are brought back to the valley this way each season.

Deliberately No Advance Dates

No fixed dates are deliberately announced. The exact day depends on the weather and the course of the alpine summer; the Almabtrieb usually takes place between early and mid-October. "We ask for your understanding that no dates can be announced," it is officially stated. Those who wish to experience the Almabtrieb should inquire locally or follow the daily press.

Location on the Königssee

The Königssee is located in the Berchtesgaden National Park in the Berchtesgadener Land district in Bavaria. The Seelände in Schönau am Königssee is the central landing stage for the electric Königssee boat service – the Landauer with the decorated animals also dock there.