The return of livestock from high alpine summer pastures in Krimml

An old tradition

The return of livestock from high alpine summer pastures is a feast of thanksgiving and it celebrates the return of the cattle, which are brought down safe to the barns in the valley after spending the summer in the mountain pastures. The returns of livestock take place on different dates, depending on the weather and the cattle are decorated with fir springs, flowers, colourful ribbons and mirrors. The cows wear different sounding bells around the neck, based on their hierarchy.

The decoration of the cattle is an old custom, that has been practised in Oberpinzgau for hundrets of years and it is believed to frighten away demons on their way from the alpine meadow to the valley.