Viehscheid / Almabtrieb Balderschwang

Balderschwang – Germany's most remote mountain village

Balderschwang is located in the southernmost tip of Bavaria, in the high valley of the Bolgenach, right on the Austrian border. At 1,044 m above sea level and only reachable via the Riedbergpass (1,420 m) – Germany's highest year-round passable mountain pass road – the village is as remote as hardly any other German village. Just under 300 inhabitants live here, plus the summer guests in the high alpine pastures. This remoteness shapes the character of the Viehscheid: not a mass spectacle, but original customs.

What is a Viehscheid?

Unlike the similarly sounding word "Abschied" (farewell), "Viehscheid" has to do with separation: "to divide the summer herd and return individual animals to their owners". After about 100 days of summer grazing, the cattle are gathered in a pen ("Scheid"), a herdsman calls out the animals by name, the farmers recognize their cows by the bell patterns and lead them back to the farm. A precise ritual that requires centuries of experience.

Program Structure

The day begins early at 8:30 AM – the first herds move from the summer pastures along the alpine paths into the valley. Herds arrive at the village square every hour, each led by the "Kranzkuh" (festively decorated lead animal with a bell wreath and mirror) – provided the alpine year passed without accident. The animals are accompanied by the dairymaids and herdsmen in Allgäu traditional costume.

Festival Atmosphere in the Village Square

Live music, traditional Allgäu specialties from the village clubs (Kässpatzen, Käsknöpfle, Spätzle, Allgäu mountain cheese bread, sausages from the charcoal grill), homemade cakes by the Balderschwang women, accompanied by draft beer and birch wine. A highlight around 3:30 PM: the bell raffle – the herdsmen's bells are raffled among the visitors.

Tradition and Identity

What distinguishes the Balderschwang Viehscheid: authenticity. While Viehscheid events in larger Allgäu towns (Oberstdorf, Hindelang) have become tourist events, Balderschwang remains a genuine farmers' festival – due to its location, its small population, and its unbroken tradition. Anyone who wants to experience Allgäu customs authentically will find it here.

Hörnerdorf and Riedbergpass

Balderschwang belongs to the "Hörnerdorf" – an Allgäu tourism region with Fischen, Bolsterlang, Obermaiselstein, and Ofterschwang. In summer, it's a hiking area (Riedbergerhorn, Hochgrat), in winter a ski area (Riedbergpass ski lifts). Those who stay longer can combine the Viehscheid with mountain tours in the Hörner chain.