How to See the Cows in Garmisch

Believe it or not, this was one of my most asked questions while living in Garmisch! And it’s understandable, because the cows in the Alps are beautiful. Not to mention the ringing of the cowbells echoing through the peaks is a truly special sound.

Finding the cows depends on the time of year. If you come in the winter, you probably will not see them. Below is a description of where to find them in the warmer months.

Mid-Late May

Depending on the weather and how the spring has been going, you will start to see cows show up in the valley fields some time in May. They will stay there a few short weeks before making the climb up.

June-August

Once the summer hits, the cows will be led up the mountain (literally!) to graze in the pastures at higher altitude. You can pretty much go up any mountain in the summer and start to hear the cowbells. Find them on top of Kreuzeck, Alpspitze, Wank, Tiroler Almbahn (Ehrwald), and on the Kramerplateau.

September-October

Sometime in September, the cows will be led back down the mountains to the valley pastures where they will stay until the season starts to change to winter. During winter they are in barns throughout the are.

Almabtrieb

In the late summer, usually September, the Almabtrieb season begins in the Alps.

This is a long-standing tradition where farmers herd their cattle down from the fields high up on the mountains, and back to the valley below before the winter comes.

To celebrate a successful season, the cows are adorned with flower crowns, big bells, and decorations.

This is a very unique experience, and if you happen to be in the area during this time, I highly recommend attending one.

You can find lists of the almabtreibs here. Many times the parade is followed by a fest with music, food, and drinks.

If the cows are not decorated, it means the herd experienced a loss of a cow(s) over the summer.