Viehscheid Haldenwang 2026

Allgäu Alpine Tradition

The Viehscheid in Haldenwang is one of the typical Almabtrieb events in the Allgäu that set the rhythm of the region in September. Throughout the summer, the Allgäu farmers kept their young cattle on the alpine pastures around Haldenwang — on the last Saturday in September, they are traditionally driven back into the valley, sorted by owner at the Scheidplatz on the western outskirts of the municipality of Haldenwang, and returned to the farmers.

Over 100 Cattle, a Festive Day

Over 100 cattle are driven into the valley at the Viehscheid Haldenwang — decorated, provided the summer on the alpine pasture went well. A decorated cow — the Kranzochse or Kranzkuh — leads the herd, accompanied by the herdsman family and the Almmeister (alpine master). The procession is the emotional image of the festive day and attracts thousands of locals and day-trippers from Southern Germany every year.

Festival Tent and Catering

After the procession, the festival tent opens at the Scheidplatz. The Haldenwang music band plays traditional Allgäu brass music, and local clubs provide catering with Allgäu specialties: Kässpatzen, sausages, chicken, pretzels, Allgäu beer, and cake. In the afternoon, it retains the character of a classic Allgäu Almabtrieb festival with a family atmosphere.

The Raiffeisenbank as Organizer

The Raiffeisenbank im Allgäuer Land eG supports the Haldenwang Viehscheid as an annual event. This makes the Viehscheid one of the classic Almabtrieb festivals organized by a local cooperative bank — a tradition that is widespread in the Allgäu and expresses the connection of the Raiffeisen culture with mountain farming.

Haldenwang in the Oberallgäu Region

Haldenwang is a small municipality in the Oberallgäu district, about 12 km north of Kempten. The region is classic Allgäu alpine and pre-alpine land with dairies, mountain pastures, and a strong tradition of alpine farming. The Viehscheid is part of a broader calendar of Allgäu Almabtriebe, where many Allgäu villages celebrate their Viehscheide one after another over two to three September weeks.