Alpine summer

Traditional alpine pastures in Berchtesgaden

By late May, alpine summer begins in Berchtesgaden. Up on the mountain pastures, dairy farmers tend to their livestock—and take care of hungry hikers and mountaineers along the way. The romantic image rarely reflects reality, though: life on the alpine pastures is demanding, and the days are long.

Alpine pastures
Nowhere else in Bavaria will you find as many actively managed alpine pastures as in Berchtesgaden. Discover rustic huts, scenic hiking trails, and mountain bike routes that turn these traditional alpine landscapes into unforgettable destinations.
Bergerlebnis Berchtesgaden
ALMErlebnisBUS
Ramsau
14,0 km
380 hm

How to behave around grazing animals

During the summer months on alpine pastures, encounters between hikers and grazing animals can occasionally lead to risky situations. While reported incidents are very rare, it’s still important to stay alert when hiking across alpine meadows and other open grazing areas.

Tips for encounters with cattle

Intangible Cultural Heritage

With its official inclusion in the Bavarian Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage, alpine farming is now also recognized and honored at the political level.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Almabtrieb–the traditional cattle drive

When summer comes to an end

If neither people nor animals were harmed during the summer on the alpine pastures and home farms, the cows are lavishly decorated for their return to the valley in September and October. Their ornate headdresses—known as Fuikln and Latschenboschen—are carefully handcrafted from finely dyed wood shavings.

Cattle drive in Berchtesgaden
During Almabtrieb in Berchtesgaden, decorated cattle return from the mountain pastures to the valley as villages celebrate Alpine customs and Bavarian heritage.
Cattle drive across Lake Königssee
During the traditional Almabtrieb across Lake Königssee, decorated cattle and farmers cross the lake by boat as Alpine customs and mountain heritage come to life.
Fuikln and Latschenboschen
Traditional Fuikln and Latschenboschen made for Almabtrieb, the traditional cattle drive back to the valley, reflect the living Alpine heritage of Berchtesgaden, shaped by mountain culture, craftsmanship, and Bavarian customs.