Alpine retreat Wassen: Homecoming with the sound of bells

Decorated cows, cowbell ringers, alphorn music and an entire village in festive mood: when the cattle drive passes through Wassen in September, the village is transformed into a stage full of living traditions and regional delicacies.

Summer on the alp

Over 300 animals spend the summer on the alpine pastures in the Meiental valley. From June to September, Alpine farmers look after the cows and cattle on the Hinterfeld Alp and the Bergalp cattle pasture. Every year, thousands of kilos of cheese and other delicacies are produced from around 115,000 litres of milk. In mid-September, the summer grazing season ends and some of the animals return to the valley festively decorated.

Still without floral decorations, the cows wait for their big moment.

Attention to detail: every flower must be in place before heading down into the valley.

The return to the valley

The cattle drive in Wassen is much more than just a parade of cattle and alpine farmers. Accompanied by cowbells, goats and llamas, the decorated cows and cattle march back to the village.

Festively decorated, the stars of the day make their way towards Wassen.

Every year, thousands of spectators line the streets and look forward to this unique spectacle. For many, this moment, when the proud Alpine farmers bring their animals home and the Alpine summer officially ends, is a highlight of the year.

Goats take over the streets of Wassen.

A village festival full of traditions

During the cattle descent, Wassen is transformed into a lively festival venue. The programme includes an alpine, farmers' and crafts market, guided village tours, folk music, alphorn sounds, yodelling, cowbell ringing, flag throwing and even an open-air show dairy. Regional specialities tempt visitors to the festival restaurant. This makes the event not only the largest cattle drive of its kind in the canton of Uri, but also a festival that wonderfully combines culture, music and cuisine.

A perfect interplay of brass instruments and flag throwers.

With powerful voices and a lot of heart: the yodelling choir provides goose bump moments.

Culinary delights, crafts and encounters at the market.

Revived tradition

Since 2013, the Wassen Alpine cattle drive has been revived and further developed by a dedicated organising committee. With success: today it is considered the most important event of its kind in the canton of Uri. The festival is supported by the Hinterfeld Alpine Cooperative, the municipality of Wassen, the canton of Uri and private supporters. Sarina Tschümperlin, member of the organising committee, emphasises: ‘The Alpine cattle drive impressively demonstrates how alive our traditions are and how much they connect people, both locals and visitors.’

The return to the valley is a celebration for the whole village.

An experience for all generations

Whether families, culture lovers or holidaymakers, the cattle descent has something for everyone. Children marvel at the festively decorated animals, while adults enjoy the music and chatting with the farming families. For the Alpine farmers, it is a proud moment to celebrate their work and the summer on the Alps. For Wassen, this day is a great occasion for people to come together, delighting guests from near and far and strengthening the bond with the traditions of the canton of Uri. Anyone who wants to see the animals on their way home on 13 September should not miss this impressive spectacle.