The Transhumance is not a Way of St. James, but it is a little strenuous.
Come with us when
you feel it
Come with us when
you feel it
The Transhumance is not a Way of St. James, but it is a little strenuous.
Transhumance fromSchnalstal to Ötztal
This is a special form of sheep migration. The sheep of the South Tyrolean farmers in Val Senales and Val Venosta (Italy) spend the winter on the barren winter pastures or in the barn. For the summer months, the sheep are driven to the pastures in Ötztal (Austria).
Discover the path and its places of power
On our hiking map, you can find the sheep trail and all the important places of power in its vicinity.
A recurring eventalways in early June and mid-September
The sheep drive to Ötztal takes place at the beginning of June, and the sheep return in mid-September.
The sheep from the farmers in Laas and Kortsch in the Vinschgau Valley and from the Sonnenberg first migrate through the Schlandrauner Valley and then over the Taschljöchl (2,765 m) to Kurzras or Vernagt in the Schnalstal Valley. The sheep from the Schnalstal and Pfossental valleys join us there. The next morning, very early in the morning, the first groups set off on the long journey. Around 2,000 sheep take the route from Kurzras over the Hochjoch (Schöne Aussicht refuge, 2,842 m) to the Rofenberg Alm. Around 1,500 sheep are driven from Vernagt at the reservoir of the same name over the Niederjoch (Similaunhütte, 3,019 m) into the Niedertal valley.
Of course there will also be celebrations
Whenever the sheep return from Ötztal in mid-September, this is celebrated in Schnalstal Valley with the traditional shepherd festivals in Kurzras and Vernagt. The current dates for the return of the sheep from Ötztal and the shepherds’ festivals in Versagt and Kurzras can be found on the website of the Schnalstal Valley Tourist Association.
The current dates are usually only fixed shortly beforehand,as they depend on the weather!
Transhumance adventure hike – up high with the sheep
For many centuries, around 3,500 sheep from the Schnalstal Valley and Vinschgau Valley have reached the pastures in the Ötztal Valley via the Niederjoch Pass every year at the beginning of June. To mark the occasion, the Schnalstal Valley Tourist Association organises a guided hike together with the shepherds and herdsmen (registration at the tourist office), accompanying the sheep from Kurzras up to the Hochjoch. Here you can experience this old tradition of transhumance up close and immerse yourself in the world of shepherds and sheep. Once at the Schöne Aussicht mountain hut, the group fortifies itself with a traditional barley soup and wine. The return journey then follows the same route.
Look for accommodation in Schnalstal or Ötztal now!
Explore the Schnalstal Valleyand the Ötztal Valley
With support from the federal government, the state and the European Union
With support from the federal government, the state and the European Union
