Viehscheid Gunzesried

Tradition from the Allgäu Alps

The Viehscheid in Gunzesried marks the end of the alpine season: after around one hundred days of summer grazing, the animals return from the high alpine pastures to the valley. In Blaichach-Gunzesried, a quiet mountain village in the Oberallgäu district in Bavaria, one of the largest and most atmospheric folk festivals in the region has developed from this. With around 1,500 animals from 19 alpine pastures, the Gunzesrieder Scheid is considered the most extensive of its kind in the Allgäu.

The Course of the Day

From 9 a.m. onwards, the bells of the first herds can be heard as they are led down from the mountains by their herdsmen. The last animals reach the Scheidplatz around 12:30 p.m. At the square, the animals are sorted and assigned to their owners – a highly concentrated process that requires generations of experience. The herds that have survived the summer without accident are led by a decorated Kranzkuh – traditionally adorned with ribbons, bells, and alpine flowers.

Festival Tent, Music, and Market Fair

From 11 a.m., the actual festival begins in the large festival tent. The Blaskapelle Bihlerdorf-Ofterschwang and the Krainer Express provide a lively atmosphere, accompanied by the traditional Scheidwurst – a hearty Bavarian sausage specialty that is an integral part of the Almabtrieb. A market fair with regional specialties, sweets, handicrafts, and Allgäu cheese completes the experience.

Living Tradition, Not a Folklore Spectacle

The Viehscheid is not a tourist spectacle in the Allgäu, but a deeply rooted custom: the herdsmen actually live on the alpine pastures during the summer, taking care of the cattle, and only return to the village for the Scheid. Those who visit the Gunzesrieder Scheid experience an authentic rural tradition that has shaped life in the Bavarian Alps for centuries.

Arrival by Shuttle Bus

Due to the expected number of visitors, the organizers strongly recommend using public transport. A free shuttle bus runs from 7:30 a.m. from Blaichach to Gunzesried.