Transhumance - immaterial Cultural Heritage of UNESCO

The sheep return to Schnalstal Valley in September – as has been the case for hundreds of years.

Niedertalm Mountain hut – Giogo basso/Niederjoch (3,019 m) – VERNAGO/Vernagt (1,700 m)
Up to 2,200 sheep and 300 goats set off from the Niedertal Alm Mountain hut in Vent valley (A) in the early morning, moving upwards through high-Alpine terrain (not dangerous) to Giogo Basso/Niederjoch (3,019 m) or the Refuge Similaun, the first group in the herd arriving at about 9:00 a.m. The most dangerous part of the return journey begins here, particularly if there is snow on the ground or the trail or parts of it are icy. Below the hut, the procession winds downhill on quite a narrow trail through steep and rocky terrain (down to about 2,600 m). The ground then becomes more level and less dangerous. After a short respite in the centre of Tisental valley, the herd continues down the mountain towards Vernago/Vernagt, arriving just before 2:00 p.m. From far away (1/2 hour before it arrives) you can already see the never-ending line of sheep. Accommodation and refreshments available at the Mountain hut Martin Busch and the Refuge Similaun.

Return of the sheep from the Giogo Basso to Vernago/Vernagt on saturday, 9th of september 2023

Rofenbergalm Muntain hut – Giogo Alto/Hochjoch (2.856 m) – MASO CORTO/Kurzras (2.011 m)
Early in the morning, about 1,500 sheep set off from the Rofenberg Alm Mountain hut in Vent valley (A). From there, the trail leads through high-Alpine terrain (not dangerous) upwards towards Giogo Alto/Hochjoch or the Refuge Bella Vista (2,845 m). The herd arrives there between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. After a short break at the hut, the procession continues down the mountain at a gentle pace, initially through steep, rocky terrain and then onto more level ground, then across steep ground again, to Maso Corto/Kurzras where the herd arrives between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Accommodation and refreshments available at the Hochjoch Hospitz hut and the Refuge Bella Vista.

Return of the sheep from the Rofenberg Alm Mountain hut passing the Giogo Alto to Maso Corto/Kurzras on sunday, 10th of september 2023

Schedule may change if weather conditions are bad

The transhumance in Schnalstal Valley, which is still practiced and deeply rooted in local tradition, dates back 600 years. This ancient tradition in Schnalstal Valley is part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. The annual migration in Schnalstal Valley is the only cross-border and trans-glacial transhumance in existence.
Every June, the shepherds lead flocks of 3,000 – 4,000 sheep on a mass migration from Vernago/Vernagt and Maso Corto/Kurzras across two mountain passes to the fertile pastures of Vent in neighboring Austria. The transhumance in the Schnalstal Valley covers more than 40km, across gullies and snow-covered fields.

In mid-September, the sheep and shepherds with the help of sheep dogs guide the flocks back to the Schnalstal Valley on the much safer return trip. At the end of the transhumance, the successful termination of the migration is celebrated.

The people involved stay overnight at the assembly points in Maso Corto/Kurzras and Vernago/Vernagt before setting off at dawn the next day to cross the main Ötztal ridge. Crossing the many snow-covered meadows is painstaking and finally at the Giogo Alto/Hochjoch and the Giogo Basso/Niederjoch steep ice gulleys have also to be negotiated. At the other side, the high mountain valleys are quite flat but snow, fog and storms can make the descent very difficult.

Vernago/Vernagt (1,700 m) - Giogo Basso/Niederjoch (3,019 m) - Niedertalalm Mountain Hut
Early in the morning between 3 am and 6.30 am, up to 2,200 sheep and 300 goats set off from Vernago/Vernagt in four groups, marching upwards through Tisental and reaching the Similaun refuge hut on Giogo Basso/Niederjoch about 3 and a half hours later. From there the herd travels down towards Niedertalalm Mountain hut, passing by the Martin Busch Mountain hut (2,051 m). About 3 hours after leaving the Similaun refuge hut, they reach the “shepherds’ hut” (2,134 m). The Similaun refuge hut and the Martin Busch Mountain hut is not yet open on the day of the march.

MASO CORTO/Kurzras (2,011 m) - Giogo alto/Hochjoch (2,856 m) – Rofenbergalm Mountain hut
The first of about 1,500 sheep set off from Kurzras at about 5 am in the morning. About 2 and a half hours later, the sheep and their shepherds reach the Giogo Alto/Hochjoch. Distance covered: about 5.3 km from Maso Corto/Kurzras. After a short break at the Refuge Bella Vista, the herd continues down the mountain towards Rofenberg Alm Mountain hut, passing the Hochjoch Hospitz (2,413 m). A further 2 hours are needed for the descent to Rofenberg Alm Mountain hut. The Refuge Bella Vista is open for business on the day of the march. Accommodation at the Hochjoch Hospitz hut only with request.

Transhumance from Vernago/Vernagt passing the Giogo Basso on Saturday 10th of June 2023 and from Maso Corto/Kurzras passing the Giogo Alto on Saturday 10th of June 2023

Schedule may change if weather conditions are bad.