Transhumance

Transhumance in South Tyrol – UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Schnalstal Valley

Transhumance in the Schnalstal Valley is one of the oldest and most spectacular sheep drives in the entire Alpine region and remains a living tradition to this day. This centuries-old form of pastoralism uniquely combines nature, culture and local heritage.

On December 11, 2019, transhumance was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Bogotá, granting it international recognition. This marks an important milestone for the Schnalstal Valley, where the tradition is still actively practiced and preserved. Already in 2011, the Schnalstal transhumance was included in the Austrian list of intangible cultural heritage thanks to the efforts of the Schnals cultural association, Pro Vita Alpina, the sheep farming associations of Niedertal and Rofenberg, and the Schnalstal tourism organization.

The Schnalstal sheep drive is unique worldwide: it is the only transhumance route that crosses both a glacier and an international border. Every year in mid-June, shepherds lead several thousand sheep from Vernagt and Kurzras across the Niederjoch and Hochjoch passes to the summer pastures near Vent in the Austrian Ötztal Valley. Within two days, humans and animals cover up to 44 kilometers across challenging terrain including snowfields and rocky passages.

In September, sheep, shepherds and dogs return to the valley. The descent is less demanding and traditionally celebrated with a shepherds’ festival. Transhumance in the Schnalstal Valley is not only a remarkable natural spectacle but also a vital part of South Tyrol’s cultural heritage.

Sheep drive in June

By mid-June, once the alpine pastures beyond the main ridge are free of snow, the “long march” begins for around a quarter of the sheep from Laas in the Vinschgau Valley. The route covers over 44 km, with 3,200 metres of ascent and 1,800 metres of descent. Following the paths once taken by the first explorers of the Schnalstal Valley, the flocks are guided across the mountains by shepherds and dogs. After an overnight stay at the gathering points in Kurzras and Vernagt, the crossing of the main Alpine ridge begins at dawn the following day. The route is demanding, with numerous snowfields and, towards the end, steep rocky and icy couloirs at both the Niederjoch and Hochjoch passes. On the far side, the high valleys are gentler, but snowfall, fog and storms can still make the descent challenging.

Vernagt (1,700 m) – Niederjoch (3,019 m) – Niedertalalm
Up to 2,200 sheep and 300 goats set off between 3:00 and 6:30 a.m. in four groups from Vernagt, ascending through the Tisental Valley and reaching the Similaun Hut in about 3.5 hours. From there, the herd continues downhill towards Niedertalalm, passing the Martin Busch Hut (2,051 m). After about 3 more hours, the Schäferhütte (2,134 m) is reached. The Similaun and Martin Busch huts are not yet open on the day of the drive.
Sheep drive 2026: Saturday, 13 June 2026 in Vernagt

Kurzras (2,011 m) – Hochjoch (2,856 m) – Rofenberg Alm
Around 1,500 sheep start from Kurzras at about 5:00 a.m. and reach the Hochjoch pass in roughly 2.5 hours (approx. 5.3 km). After a short break at the Schöne Aussicht refuge, the descent continues towards Rofenberg Alm via the Hochjoch Hospiz (2,413 m). The descent takes around 2 hours. The Schöne Aussicht hut is open on the day, while overnight stays at Hochjoch Hospiz are available on request only.
Sheep drive 2026: Saturday, 13 June 2026 in Kurzras

In case of bad weather, schedule changes are possible.

The return of the sheep

Due to milder weather conditions, the return journey is usually much easier for both people and animals than the spring crossing of the main Alpine ridge, which represents a major challenge. In mid-September, the sheep return to the Schnalstal Valley – as they have done for centuries.

NIEDERTALALM – NIEDERJOCH (3,019 m) – VERNAGT (1,700 m)
Up to 2,200 sheep and 300 goats set off early in the morning from Niedertalalm in the Vent Valley (A), passing the Martin Busch Hut (refreshments and accommodation available), and ascend through high alpine terrain (not dangerous) to the Niederjoch (3,019 m) and the Similaun Hut, where the first groups arrive around 9:00 a.m. The most demanding section of the descent follows, especially if snow or ice is present. Below the hut, the trail winds downhill along a narrow path through steep and rocky terrain down to about 2,600 metres. The terrain then becomes gentler and safer. After a break in the middle of the Tisental Valley, the herd continues down to Vernagt, arriving at around 2:00 p.m. From afar, a seemingly endless line of sheep can be seen for about half an hour. The herds and shepherds are welcomed in the valley with traditional shepherd festivals featuring local food, drinks and music.
Return of the sheep 2026: Saturday, 12 September 2026

ROFENBERGALM – HOCHJOCH (2,856 m) – KURZRAS (2,011 m)
In the early morning, around 1,500 sheep set off from the Rofenberg Alm in the Vent Valley (A). The route leads past the Hochjoch Hospiz (refreshments and accommodation available), through high alpine terrain (not dangerous), up to the Hochjoch pass and the Schöne Aussicht refuge (2,845 m), where the herd arrives between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. After a short break, the descent continues at a relaxed pace: first through steep and rocky terrain, then more gently, and finally steeper again until reaching Kurzras between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. The return is celebrated with traditional shepherd festivals, offering local dishes, drinks and musical entertainment.
Return of the sheep 2026: Sunday, 13 September 2026

In case of bad weather, schedule changes are possible.