Name: Viehscheid Bad Hindelang 2026
Start: 2026-09-11T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-11T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Scheidplatz und Festzelt Bad Hindelang

Viehscheid Hindelang

About Viehscheid Hindelang

On Friday, September 11, 2026, starting at 8:30 AM, the traditional Viehscheid Bad Hindelang will take place in the Ostrachtal – one of the most spectacular cattle drives in Upper Bavaria. Around 1,000 head of cattle return from five alpine pastures to the valley. The herdsmen bring their flocks to the 'Scheidplatz' (separation area) every hour, where they are ceremonially handed over to their owners. The event is accompanied by a large market, a festival tent with music, delicacies, and amusement rides. The Viehscheid is celebrated like a holiday in Hindelang – schools give children the day off.

Dates 11 Sep — 11 Sep 2026

Venue Bad Hindelang (09780)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Viehscheid Hindelang — edition 2026

The Viehscheid Bad Hindelang 2026 will take place on Friday, September 11. From 8:30 AM, around 1,000 animals will return from five alpine pastures above the Ostrachtal to the valley, with herds arriving at the 'Scheidplatz' every hour. Accompanied by a market, a festival tent with Allgäu music and delicacies, and amusement rides. Free admission.

The program follows the rhythm maintained for generations: The decorated herds with the herdsmen arrive in the valley every hour. The lead cows wear traditional head decorations of fir branches and ribbons, and the herdsmen wear their traditional Allgäu attire. At the 'Scheidplatz', the animals are officially handed over by the herdsmen to their owners.

The event is organized by Bad Hindelang Tourism in cooperation with the five alpine cooperatives of the Ostrachtal. Free admission – schools in Hindelang give children the day off so they can experience the Viehscheid.

Highlights Viehscheid Hindelang 2026

Around 1,000 animals from five alpine pastures, decorated lead cows, herdsmen in traditional attire, market, festival tent, and amusement rides – one of the most spectacular Viehscheide in Upper Bavaria.

Programme Viehscheid Hindelang 2026

Friday, September 11, 2026

From 8:30 AM — Arrival of the first herds in the village, procession to the 'Scheidplatz'
Every hour — further herds from the five alpine pastures above the Ostrachtal arrive in the valley
A total of around 1,000 animals
Ceremonial handover of the animals from the herdsmen to the owners at the 'Scheidplatz'
Parallel: Large market with traditional costumes, cheese, farm products, crafts, and souvenirs
Large festival tent with Allgäu music bands, delicacies, draft beer, and wine
Several amusement rides for families and children
Evening festival tent operation with live music until late

Prices Viehscheid Hindelang 2026

Free admission to the entire Viehscheid and festival grounds. Consumption in the festival tent at usual folk festival prices. Amusement rides with their own admission fees.

Practical information

Practical information — Viehscheid Hindelang

Getting There

By car via the A7 (exit Oberstdorf/Sonthofen), then B19. By train to Sonthofen, then bus to Bad Hindelang. On the Viehscheid day, special buses and closed town center traffic – parking outside with shuttle recommended.

Admission

Free for the actual Viehscheid, market, and festival tent. Consumption in the festival tent at usual folk festival prices, amusement rides with their own admission fees.

When to Arrive

Arrive in the village by 8:00 AM at the latest to not miss the first herds starting at 8:30 AM. Main activities until noon, festival continues until late evening.

Cattle Drive with Tradition

The Viehscheid Bad Hindelang is one of the most important cattle drives in the Oberallgäu. Every year on September 11 – or the Saturday before if the date falls on a Sunday – around 1,000 animals return from five alpine pastures above the Ostrachtal to the valley. They are ceremonially handed over to their owners by their herdsmen at the 'Scheidplatz' – a ritual that has been performed unchanged for generations.

The Day Itself

Starting at 8:30 AM, the first herds arrive in the village on the hour. The decorated lead cows (adorned with head decorations of fir branches, colorful ribbons, and flowers) lead the herds. Hundreds of onlookers line the streets, cheering for the animals and applauding the herdsmen. At the 'Scheidplatz', the animals are then separated by owner and returned to their farms.

Market, Festival Tent, and Family Program

Parallel to the actual Viehscheid, a large market takes place with stalls selling traditional costumes, cheese, farm products, and crafts. In the large festival tent, music bands play, and there are hearty Allgäu delicacies, draft beer, and wine. Several amusement rides ensure that the children also have fun. In Hindelang, the Viehscheid is celebrated like a holiday – local schools give students the day off so they can witness the spectacle.

Bad Hindelang in the Oberallgäu

Bad Hindelang is located in the Oberallgäu district, in the Ostrachtal valley, right on the Tyrolean border. This climatic health resort with around 4,700 inhabitants is surrounded by high Allgäu Alps (Hochvogel, Imberger Horn, Iseler) and is home to some of Bavaria's highest alpine pastures. The region has been an area for alpine farming for centuries – the Viehscheid annually showcases this tradition anew. Bad Hindelang is among Bavaria's top tourist destinations.