Désalpe and Alpabzug Festivals in Switzerland

Charmey

The best-known Désalpe in Fribourg is in Charmey, every last Saturday of September; the next is on 25 September 2027. Cows wearing bouquets of flowers and big bells come down to the village, led by armaillis in the bredzon jacket. Arrive before 9:00 to avoid queues behind the herds, and don't plan to leave before 15:00. The village car park costs CHF 20 and only takes cars until 9:30, so public transport is the better choice. Charmey is a short drive from La Maison du Gruyère.

L'Etivaz

L'Etivaz celebrates on the same weekend. In 2026, on 26 September, there were cattle parades from 9:00, a craft market, a farm animal area, a cheesemaking demonstration and a cheese competition, with the professional jury tasting on the festival square at about 14:00 and results at 15:00. Visitors get the first taste of the summer's L'Etivaz AOP. Entry was CHF 10 for adults, free under 16, including the bus and the free shuttles from L'Arsat, La Lécherette and Château-d'Oex, which ran from 7:00 to 18:00. The cooperative's cellars are open for tours on other days: see La Maison de L'Etivaz.

Les Charbonnières and the Fête du Vacherin Mont-d'Or

In the Vallée de Joux the Vacherin Mont-d'Or festival is held on the village square in Les Charbonnières at the end of September, together with the descent of the herds. The 28th festival, on 26 September 2026, ran from 9:00 to 17:00 with a regional market, folklore and food stalls; the herds came down between 9:30 and 12:00, and the cheesemakers handed out free tastings of the new season's Vacherin. Free shuttle buses linked L'Abbaye, Crêt-Blanc, Le Pont and Les Charbonnières from 8:00 to 19:00.

Appenzell Alpabfahrt

In Appenzell the herds come down between mid-August and 30 September. Goats lead, then cows, young cattle and calves, with three matched bells on the lead cows and the herders in festive costume. Dates are given out at short notice, depending on the weather; see Appenzell alp dairies for how to find them.

Justistal and Bagnes

Above Lake Thun the Chästeilet shares out the alp cheese before the cows come down, in mid-September. In the Valais, Bagnes Capitale de la Raclette has a parade through Le Châble on the last weekend of September.

Tips

Stand where the road is wide and let the herd pass as one; never step between cows and their herder. Bring cash or TWINT for the market stalls, and check the organisers' sites in the week before, because a dry summer or bad weather can change numbers and timings.