Name: Almabtrieb Piding 2026
Start: 2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Freidling-Kühberg, Piding

Almabtrieb Piding

About Almabtrieb Piding

In September, cattle return from the high alpine pastures to the valley in Piding. Festively decorated with bells, wreaths of alpine roses, and fir branches, the animals pass through the Freidling-Kühberg area and are welcomed by farming families, music bands, and traditional costume groups. The Almabtrieb is one of the most authentic Alpine customs in the Berchtesgadener Land and marks the end of the summer grazing season in Upper Bavaria.

Dates 19 Sep — 19 Sep 2026

Venue Piding (09172)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Almabtrieb Piding — edition 2026

In 2026, the festively decorated cattle will once again return from the high alpine pastures to the valley via Freidling-Kühberg in Piding. The exact date will only be confirmed shortly before the Almabtrieb – traditionally, it takes place on the third weekend in September. The event begins in the early afternoon, with the animals arriving around 3 PM.

The Almabtrieb in Piding is a traditional festival dependent on weather and animal conditions. The organizer (Market Piding together with the alpine farmers) usually announces the official date a few days in advance. Those who don't want to miss the Almabtrieb in Piding in 2026 should keep an eye on the announcements on piding.de and almabtriebe.de in early September.

If the livestock has survived the summer without accidents, the animals will return from the high alpine pastures, festively decorated with wreaths of alpine roses, fir branches, and colorful ribbons, parading across the alpine meadows into the valley. Brass bands, traditional costume groups, and heritage societies accompany the procession, and local delicacies and drinks are offered on-site.

Highlights Almabtrieb Piding 2026

Festively decorated cattle, tradition following an accident-free summer grazing season, brass music, regional delicacies at Freidling-Kühberg.

Programme Almabtrieb Piding 2026

Tentative Schedule on the Festival Day

Morning — Descent of the animals from the high alpine pastures
approx. 1:00 PM — Arrival of the first alpine farmers at the festival grounds
approx. 3:00 PM — Procession of the decorated livestock on Freidling-Kühberg
Afternoon — Musical accompaniment by traditional costume and music bands, catering with regional specialties

The exact date and detailed program will only be published a few days beforehand – latest updates on piding.de and almabtriebe.de.

Prices Almabtrieb Piding 2026

Free entry.

Practical information

Practical information — Almabtrieb Piding

Getting There

Piding is located between Bad Reichenhall and Salzburg in the Berchtesgadener Land. By train via Freilassing to Piding, by car via the A8 (exit Bad Reichenhall).

Date and Note

The exact date for 2026 will be announced at short notice (typically the 3rd weekend in September). Binding information will be available shortly before the date on piding.de or almabtriebe.de. The date may be canceled due to bad weather or illness of the animals.

Admission

Free entry to the Almabtrieb grounds.

End of the Summer Grazing Season in Upper Bavaria

The Almabtrieb in Piding is one of the most impressive traditional festivals in southeastern Upper Bavaria. As the days grow shorter and the livestock return to the valley after a summer on the high alpine pastures, the people of Piding celebrate the cattle drive together with the alpine farmers. Festively decorated cows, adorned with their large bells, parade across the meadows of Freidling-Kühberg – a sight that has been part of the folk culture in the Berchtesgadener Land for generations.

Custom and Symbolism

The decoration (»Kranzlen«) of the animals is not just folklore: according to ancient belief, the festive homecoming signifies that no animal has suffered an accident during the summer grazing season. The cows, adorned with alpine roses, fir branches, colorful ribbons, and small mirrors, symbolize gratitude for an accident-free season.

Event in Piding

The Almabtrieb traditionally begins in the early afternoon, with the decorated livestock arriving at the Freidling-Kühberg area around 3 PM. The procession is accompanied by brass bands, traditional costume groups, and cultural heritage enthusiasts. Regional delicacies, drinks, and market stalls are available at the festival grounds.

The Berchtesgadener Land Region

The market town of Piding is located in the Berchtesgadener Land district, in the extreme southeast of Bavaria – between Bad Reichenhall, Salzburg, and the high mountains. The tradition of alpine and mountain farming shapes the region to this day, and cattle drives like the one in Piding are among the emotional highlights of the farming year.