Festival · Allgäu
Viehscheid in the Allgäu
The Viehscheid is the day the cattle come down from the Allgäu alps and are handed back to their owners, followed by a party in a festival tent. Around 30 villages hold one between early September and early October. In 2026 the first were Bad Hindelang, Schöllang, Balderschwang and Oberstaufen on 11 September, Oberstdorf followed on 12 September and Immenstadt on 19 September. Watching is free.
- Season
- Early September to early October
- Cattle
- About 30,000
- Villages
- About 30
- Entry
- Free to watch
Dates
The next dates have not been announced yet. It last ran 19 Sep 2026.
What Happens
Each summer about 30,000 young cattle and about 3,000 dairy cows graze on the Allgäu alps, and the dairy cows' milk becomes Allgäu mountain cheese. In September the herders bring them down to the village Scheidplatz, where the herd is sorted and each animal goes back to the farmer who sent it up. Then herders and farmers celebrate together. Most villages put up a festival tent, often with market stalls and fairground rides, and the visitors outnumber the cattle at least two to one.
2026 Dates by Village
| Date | Villages |
|---|---|
| 11 September | Bad Hindelang, Schöllang, Balderschwang, Oberstaufen |
| 12 September | Oberstdorf, Pfronten, Jungholz, Grän-Haldensee |
| 13 September | Nesselwängle |
| 16 September | Nesselwang |
| 17 September | Gunzesried |
| 18 September | Wertach, Thalkirchdorf |
| 19 September | Immenstadt, Riezlern, Schattwald, Missen-Wilhams, Obermaiselstein, Untermaiselstein, Pfronten-Röfleuten, Wengen, Zell |
| 21 September | Tannheim, Buching |
| 22 September | Bolsterlang |
| 26 September | Haldenwang, Haslach, Alpe Kögelhof |
| 27 September | Füssener Jöchle |
| 3 October | Memhölz |
| 4 October | Apfeltrang |
| 10 October | Heimhofen |
Nesselwängle, Grän-Haldensee, Schattwald, Tannheim and the Füssener Jöchle are in the Tannheimer Tal on the Austrian side, and Riezlern in the Kleinwalsertal. Allgäu GmbH publishes the list each year; the 2027 dates are not out yet.
Tips
Arrive early to get a place along the route into the village, and stand back to let the cattle pass. Each village sets its own programme, so check the local tourist office for the time the herd is due. Park outside the centre and walk in.
Cheese Nearby
Gunzesried has its own Sennerei in the valley and alp dairies above it. For dairies you can visit on other days, see the Allgäu cheese route and Käserei Vogler.
Cheeses to Taste Here
Where to Stay near Oberstdorf
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Questions People Ask
When is the Viehscheid in Oberstdorf?
In 2026 it was on Saturday 12 September. The 2027 date has not been published yet.
What is a Viehscheid?
The day the cattle come down from their summer alps to the valley, where they are sorted on the Scheidplatz and handed back to their owners, followed by a village festival.
Is the Viehscheid free?
Yes. You can watch the cattle come in for free; you pay for food and drink in the festival tent.
Official site: allgaeu.de/kultur/typisch-allgaeu/brauchtum/viehscheid. Dates, hours and prices checked 22 October 2026; confirm on the official site before you travel. See all cheese festivals.