Viehscheid Obermaiselstein
Grand Allgäu Cattle Drive with over 1,300 Animals from Eleven Alpine Pastures
About Viehscheid Obermaiselstein
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One of the Largest Allgäu Cattle Drives
The Viehscheid Obermaiselstein is one of the largest and most well-known Almabtrieb (cattle drives from alpine pastures) in Oberallgäu. Every year in September, over 1,300 head of cattle return to the valley from eleven alpine pastures around Obermaiselstein. The spectacle announces itself from afar: from early morning, the bell concert of the lead cows echoes through the Allgäu mountains long before the first herds become visible in the village.
Decentralized Sorting Points Instead of a Mass Spectacle
Unlike some other cattle drives, in Obermaiselstein, the cattle are not sorted and handed over at a single large point, but at several decentralized sorting points according to their owners. This keeps the focus on the animals, the herdsmen, and the alpine cooperatives, rather than on a pure folk festival character. If no animal has come to harm on an alpine pasture during the entire summer, the lead cows are traditionally decorated with head adornments of fir branches, ribbons, and flowers and lead the herd into the valley.
Festival Tent, Music, and Allgäu Delicacies
In the village center, there is a large festival tent with Allgäu specialties from Metzgerei Schmaus and beer from the Brauerei Zötler. Starting at 10 AM, the Fischen music band will play, followed by the Bihlerdorf-Ofterschwang music band at 2 PM, and live performances in the evening. Local associations will sell regional mountain cheese, sausages, and drinks in front of the fire station until 6 PM – a small farmers' market in the shadow of the main attraction.
Obermaiselstein in the Hörnerdörfer
Obermaiselstein belongs to the Hörnerdörfer tourism community in the Oberallgäu district and is located at an altitude of around 870 meters between the Riedbergpass and Grünten. The municipality has been shaped by alpine farming for centuries – the Viehscheid makes this tradition immediately tangible. The state of Bavaria has particularly highlighted the Allgäu cattle drives as an intangible custom; in Obermaiselstein, alpine farming, music, and community spirit combine to create one of the most original dates in the Allgäu festival calendar.
Viehscheid Obermaiselstein — edition 2026
The format of the Obermaiselstein Viehscheid remains unchanged in 2026: decentralized sorting points instead of a mass arena; the focus is on the animals and the alpine cooperatives, not on the staging. If no animal has come to harm on an alpine pasture during the summer, the lead cows wear head adornments of fir branches, ribbons, and flowers.
The event is organized by the Obermaiselstein Tourist Information in cooperation with the Hörnerdörfer villages and the eleven alpine cooperatives. In the festival tent, Metzgerei Schmaus will provide Allgäu specialties and Brauerei Zötler will provide beer. In front of the fire station, a small regional farmers' market with cheese and sausages from local associations will run until 6 PM.
Programme Viehscheid Obermaiselstein 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026
- 8:45 AM — Departure of the first herdsmen from the alpine pastures above Obermaiselstein
- From approx. 9:00 AM — Arrival of the first decorated herd in the village
- 10:00 AM — Fischen music band plays in the festival tent
- Until approx. 12:30 PM — further herds arrive, totaling around 1,300 animals from eleven alpine pastures
- Decentralized sorting points in the village: animals are sorted by owner
- 2:00 PM — Performance by the Bihlerdorf-Ofterschwang music band
- Farmers' market in front of the fire station with Allgäu mountain cheese, sausages, drinks
- In the festival tent: warm dishes from Metzgerei Schmaus, beer from Brauerei Zötler, Allgäu delicacies
- Evening — Festival tent operation with live music until late
- Approx. 6:00 PM — End of the farmers' market in front of the fire station
Highlights Viehscheid Obermaiselstein 2026
Prices Viehscheid Obermaiselstein 2026
Practical information — Viehscheid Obermaiselstein
Getting There
By car via the A7 (exit Oberstdorf/Sonthofen), then B19 towards Fischen, continue to Obermaiselstein. By train to Fischen i. Allgäu, from there local bus or special buses on the day of the Viehscheid. Parking outside the village center with shuttle service recommended.
Admission
Free admission to the Viehscheid, farmers' market, and festival tent. Usual folk festival prices apply for food and drinks in the festival tent.
When to Arrive
Arrive in the village by 8:30 AM at the latest to not miss the first herds starting at 9 AM. Main sorting until noon, followed by festival activities in the village center. Warm Allgäu cuisine available in the festival tent all day until late evening.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Viehscheid Obermaiselstein al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Viehscheid Obermaiselstein
Scheidplatz und Festzelt Obermaiselstein
Am Scheid neben Haus des Gastes, 87538 Obermaiselstein