Name: Viehscheid Oberstdorf 2026
Start: 2026-09-12T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-12T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Nordic Zentrum im Ried

Viehscheid Oberstdorf

About Viehscheid Oberstdorf

The Viehscheid Oberstdorf is one of the largest and most traditional cattle drives in the Allgäu. When around a thousand cattle return from the high alpine pastures to the valley in September, thousands of spectators line the route. The animals from the Bierenwang, Taufersberg, Haldenwang, Rappenalpe, and Biberalpe alpine pastures are sorted, announced, and returned to their owners at the Scheidplatz near the Nordic Centre in Ried. Decorated lead cows, the Oberstdorf brass band, beer in large steins, and the hearty Scheidwurst sausage make the day a celebration of Allgäu customs in the Oberallgäu district.

Dates 12 Sep — 12 Sep 2026

Venue Oberstdorf (09780)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Viehscheid Oberstdorf — edition 2026

The Viehscheid Oberstdorf 2026 will take place on Saturday, September 12. Starting around 9 a.m., the first herds will arrive: around a thousand cattle from the Bierenwang, Taufersberg, Haldenwang, Rappenalpe, and Biberalpe alpine pastures will return to the valley. At the Scheidplatz near the Nordic Centre in Ried, they will be sorted and returned to their owners, accompanied by festivities with the Oberstdorf brass band.

On Saturday, September 12, 2026, around a thousand cattle will return from the high alpine pastures to the valley for the Viehscheid Oberstdorf. Starting around 9 a.m., the herds from the Bierenwang, Taufersberg, Haldenwang, Rappenalpe, and Biberalpe alpine pastures will arrive. At the Scheidplatz near the Nordic Centre in Ried, the animals will be sorted, announced, and returned to their owners. The Oberstdorf brass band, beer in large steins, and the traditional Scheidwurst sausage will provide the festive atmosphere.

Highlights Viehscheid Oberstdorf 2026

Around a thousand cattle from five high alpine pastures
Decorated lead cows if the alpine summer was mishap-free
Oberstdorf brass band in the festival tent
Traditional Scheidwurst sausage and beer in a stein

Programme Viehscheid Oberstdorf 2026

Saturday, September 12, 2026

from approx. 9:00 a.m. — Arrival of the first herds; around a thousand cattle from the Bierenwang, Taufersberg, Haldenwang, Rappenalpe, and Biberalpe alpine pastures move into the valley
Scheidplatz near the Nordic Centre in Ried — Sorting, announcing, and returning the animals to their owners
Festivities in the festival tent with the Oberstdorf brass band, beer in large steins, Scheidwurst sausage, and Allgäu delicacies

Shuttle buses run from Oberstdorf bus station to the event grounds.

Prices Viehscheid Oberstdorf 2026

Watching the cattle drive is free. Consumption in the festival tent and at the stalls is paid for on-site.

Practical information

Practical information — Viehscheid Oberstdorf

Getting There

Oberstdorf is located at the southern end of the Oberallgäu region and is easily accessible by train (terminus Oberstdorf). Shuttle buses run from the bus station to the event grounds at the Nordic Centre in Ried. Due to the high number of visitors, travelling by bus and train is recommended.

Admission

Watching the cattle drive is free; consumption in the festival tent and at the stalls is paid for on-site.

Tip

The first herd usually arrives around 9 a.m. – if you want a good spot at the Scheidplatz, you should be there early.

Cattle Drive in the Heart of the Allgäu

The Viehscheid Oberstdorf is one of the most impressive traditional festivals in the state of Bavaria. In Oberstdorf, Germany's southernmost municipality in the Oberallgäu district, it marks the end of the summer grazing season: after weeks on the high alpine pastures, the cattle return to the valley.

The Cattle Drive

Around a thousand head of cattle move from the Bierenwang, Taufersberg, Haldenwang, Rappenalpe, and Biberalpe alpine pastures down into the valley. If the summer has passed without mishap, the lead cows – the youngest or most beautiful animals – wear elaborately decorated wreaths. At the Scheidplatz near the Nordic Centre in Ried, the herds are sorted, announced, and returned to their owners.

Customs and Festivities

The Viehscheid is accompanied by the Oberstdorf brass band. In the festival tent and at the stalls, there is beer in large steins, the traditional Scheidwurst sausage, and Allgäu delicacies. The festival combines agricultural tradition, alpine culture, and convivial folk festival atmosphere.

Atmosphere

When the first herd arrives around 9 a.m. and the decorated animals reach the Scheidplatz accompanied by the ringing of bells, you experience a piece of living Allgäu culture that attracts thousands of visitors from near and far every year.