Sheep transhumance in the Schnalstal valley is an ancient and still living tradition. The archaic custom of leading sheep, also known as transhumance, is part of the UNESCO cultural heritage. It is the only sheep crossing in the world that simultaneously crosses a glacier and a national border.
Every year in mid-June, shepherds lead three to four thousand sheep from the villages of Vernago and Maso Corto in Val Senales to the Niederjoch and Hochjoch mountains to enjoy the summer pastures near Vent in the Austrian Ötztal valley. During the route, men and animals cover up to 44 kilometres in two days, with the route sometimes winding over snowfields and rocky gullies.
Take part in this event with the hiking guide Richard. The guided hike is organised every year on the occasion of the sheep transhumance at Maso Corto and offers you the opportunity to experience tradition. Ask us for the date, we will be happy to arrange registration for you!
In mid-September, sheep, shepherds and dogs undertake the far less dangerous return journey. The success of the cattle journey is celebrated with a shepherd's feast.
Would you like to participate in the sheep's journey across the Hochjoch to Maso Corto?
We recommend a hike from Maso Corto to Bella Vista to meet the sheep at lunchtime and return to Maso Corto afterwards.
In Vernago, the welcome to the sheep and the shepherds takes place directly in the valley, at the so-called ‘Schofschoadn’.
You can already see the first sheep through the gaps in the larches above Vernago, it seems as if the procession of sheep never ends, you can hear from afar the cowbells and bleating of the sheep, who, tired and certainly happy to have arrived at their destination, run. It is best to set off directly on foot from the hotel to Vernago (hiking trail no. 15, walking time: approx. 0:50 min), otherwise a shuttle service is available from Madonna.
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