Almabtrieb Schleching (Raiten)

A True Almabtrieb Tradition in the Achental Valley

The Almabtrieb of the Raiten farmers in Schleching is one of the best-known Almabtriebe in Upper Bavaria — and one of the few that are still celebrated without tourist staging. The event is organized by the Raiten farmers themselves, the farming families of the Raiten district, who keep their animals on the surrounding alpine pastures during the summer and bring them back down to the valley together during the Almabtrieb.

The Festive Day in Raiten

Starting in the late morning, the Almabtrieb processions form on the alpine pastures around Schleching. The first Almabtrieb group reaches the Raiten district around 12:30 PM / 1:00 PM, with others following throughout the afternoon. The cows are adorned with traditional wreath decorations made of fir branches, alpine roses, edelweiss, and artfully braided flower garlands — decorations that are only applied if the summer in the alpine pastures passed without any losses.

Hospitality at the Raitner Wirt

The central meeting point is the Raitner Wirt on Achentalstraße. Here, you can enjoy Bosna (a Chiemgau specialty — sausage in a bun with onions and spicy sauce), grilled sausages, pretzels, regional beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. A traditional costume or dance band provides musical accompaniment on the main stage. Thousands of onlookers from the Chiemgau region and beyond line the streets.

The Achental Valley — A Mountain Backdrop with History

Schleching is located in the Achental valley, the valley of the Tyrolean Ache river between the Chiemgau Alps and the Kaiser Mountains. The region is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Berchtesgadener Land or part of the Achental Eco-Region and is among Bavaria's actively managed high-alpine farming areas. The Almabtrieb in Raiten has been the most important autumn festival for the community for generations — and is considered an expression of a way of life that is actively maintained in the Achental valley.

50 Years of the Mix Family's Almabtrieb

Remarkable family stories shape the Almabtrieb. For example, Margot and Georg Mix from Raiten have been involved in the Almabtrieb from the Dalsenalm for over 50 years — a testament to how deeply this tradition is rooted in the Schleching family landscape.