Alp Cheese Dairies in Appenzell

The Alp Dairies

From June to the end of August, the herders on these alps milk cows and goats and turn the milk into alp cheese, butter and yogurt on the spot. The whey, called Schotte, goes to the alp pigs or into whey baths. Cheese is made every morning, so walk up early if you want to see it, and follow the herders' hygiene rules once inside.

• Alp Chlibetten
• Alp Gross Hütten, above Weissbad
• Alp Mittlere Bommen
• Alp Rainhütten
• Alp Rheintaler Sämtis
• Alp Soll, Brüllenstein
• Alp Untere Hundslanden
• Altenalp
• Fählenalp
• Gross Chenner
• Meglisalp Chäshötte
• Seealp, Boden and Spitzigstein, a family farm that makes cheese and butter from alp milk in summer

Tag der Offenen Alpkäserei

On the last Sunday of July all twelve alps open their dairies to visitors. Each herder shows the cheesemaking, explains life on the alp and sells cheese made from cow and goat milk. Plan it as a hike in the Alpstein with lunch at an alp restaurant or mountain inn. The 2027 date is Sunday 25 July.

Alpfahrt and Alpabfahrt

The herds go up between mid-May and the end of June, when the grass is high enough, and come down between mid-August and 30 September. Appenzeller goats lead, followed by cows, young cattle and calves, with the herders in festive costume and three matched bells ringing on the lead cows. Dates are announced at short notice depending on the weather; sign up for the Appenzellerland Tourismus newsletter (category Alpfahrten) or ask at the tourist office at Hauptgasse 38. In Innerrhoden the descent is often spread over several afternoons.

Käsefest Appenzell

In late October the canton holds a cheese festival in the garden of the Capuchin friary in Appenzell, with a cheese market, cow milking, cheesemaking demonstrations at 11:00 and 13:30 and the awards for the year's best alp cheese. In 2026 it runs on 24 October (10:00 to 17:00) and 25 October (10:00 to 16:00). Several of the alps above sell there.

Also in Appenzell

The Appenzeller show dairy in Stein makes cheese every day of the year, if you come outside the alp season.