Blog
Categories
© Tirol Werbung / Rodler Ilvy
Food & Drink
© Bert Heinzelmeier
People
© Tirol Werbung / Aichner Bernhard
Arts & Culture
© Tirol Werbung / Moore Casey
Recommendations
© Tirol Werbung / Herbig Hans
Family
© Tirol Werbung / Schwarz Jens
Bits & Pieces
© Tirol Werbung / Neusser Peter
Sports
Jagdhausalmen Alpine Pastures, Defereggen, East Tirol, Austria, Europe
Specials
Ines

The Cattle Parade in Kelchsau

Updated on 20.03.2017 in Arts & Culture

almabtrieb-kelchsau, © Kitzbüheler Alpen - Hannes Dabernig ©

You can hear them from afar. The distinctive sound of the cowbells grows, as the herds get closer to the village. The safe return of the cattle from a summer’s grazing on lush upland pastures is cause for a big and proud celebration each year in autumn. Local people gather together with holidaymakers, to line the streets along the route the steadily growing herd is to take. “The cattle parade is above all an expression of gratitude,” says Hans Feller, Chairman of the Kelchsau Cattle Drive who told me all about this annual bovine parade.

What is it that makes the cattle parade in Kelchsau so special?
Our cattle drive has a long and cherished tradition. Dotted with sun-bleached timbered farmhouses, balconies bedecked with flowers, Kelchsau is a beautiful village with a strong community of farmers. This is reflected in distinctive traditions, such as the annual cattle drive, which visitors are warmly welcomed to enjoy – it is an experience you have to see to believe.

How many people are involved in the organization and how many visitors join in the celebrations?
The program is organized by four local associations with about ten members each. An estimated 500 to 1,000 visitors come and join the celebration in Kelchsau each year. We cannot accommodate more people – and we don’t want to because crowds would ruin the bucolic atmosphere.

What can visitors expect from the event?
Festivities commence at 09:30 in the morning. Holidaymakers can stroll around the village where stalls are being set up in the street, selling cheese, bacon, bread and all sorts of locally produced specialty foods. Later on, mouthwatering must-eat dishes from Unterinntal Region are served, from “Brodakrapfen” and “Kiachln” to “Kasspatzln” and dumplings. There will be a crafts market where skilled artisans lovingly labor over wood and where sheep are sheared. Brass bands are out in force and the streets are full of people in traditional Tirolean costume of dirndl and lederhosen.

How many cows make their slow procession through the streets of the village?
Each farmer has up to 100 animals that are driven down from the high altitude summer pastures to their winter quarters in the valley. The cattle are decked out in garlands of flowers and ribbons, with bells attached to their heavy leather collars. The jangling of the cowbells, the marching brass band, the clapping and the cheering of the crowds and the shouts of the farmhands all combine to create a fantastic experience – deeply rooted in tradition!

The Cattle Drive in Kelchsau is among the 10 most spectacular cattle parades in Tirol.
For dates and details see: www.tyrol.com/cattle-drives

Dazzling lights and beautiful cityscapes: Ines Mayerl loves the exciting, fast-paced big city life. But no matter how far she may travel, she always returns home to escape to the mountains, to discover stylish, new cafés in Innsbruck and to hit the slopes.

Ines
Last article from Ines
The Hiker
Updated on 20.05.2024 in Sports
What Kind of Hiker Are You?
5 min reading time
Kaiserschmarren-Hohe-Mut-Alm
Updated on 15.07.2019 in Food & Drink
Finding the Best “Kaiserschmarren” in Tirol
4 min reading time
E-Biken in den Kitzbüheler Alpen
Updated on 19.05.2018 in Sports
An E-Bike Picture Story of the Kitzbühel Alps
7 min reading time
Topfenkaiserschmarrn
Updated on 27.03.2018 in Food & Drink
Recipe: Topfenkaiserschmarrn with Plum Jam
3 min reading time
Hechtsee, Kufstein, Tirol 2013
Updated on 20.12.2016 in Recommendations
10 lakes to cool off in on hot summer days
4 min reading time
Apple strudel
10.04.2024 in Food & Drink
Bake it Yourself: Apple Strudel
3 min reading time
View from the Höttinger Gasse road looking towards the medieval city centre of Innsbruck.
08.04.2024 in Recommendations
72 Hours in Innsbruck
4 min reading time
Tiroler Almnudeln
04.12.2023 in Food & Drink
Recipe: Tiroler Almnudeln
2 min reading time
All articles from Ines
No comments available
Write comment

Keep reading

Go up

Is your inbox in need of a holiday?

Then subscribe to our weekly newsletter full of exclusive holiday tips from Tirol!

Protected by