Transhumance - immaterial Cultural Heritage of UNESCO

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 22th of June 2024 and from Maso Corto/Kurzras passing the Giogo Alto on Saturday 15th of June 2024

Schedule may change if weather conditions are bad.

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

ROFENBERGALM MUNTAIN HUT – GIOGO ALTO/HOCHJOCH (2.856 M) – MASO CORTO/KURZRAS (2.011 M)
In the early morning, around 1,500 sheep start at the Rofenberg-Alm in the Venter Valley (A). From there, the trail leads past the Hochjoch Hospitz (refreshment and overnight accommodation), through high alpine terrain (not dangerous), up to the Hochjoch and the Schöne Aussicht refuge (2,845 m), which also offers refreshment and overnight accommodation. The herd arrives there between 11.00 and 12.00. After a short break at the hut, the route descends at a leisurely pace, initially through steep, rocky terrain, then flatter and finally steeper again, to Kurzras, where the herd arrives between 3.00 and 4.00 pm.
The flocks of sheep and shepherds are ceremoniously welcomed into the valley with traditional shepherds' feasts. The Schnals mountain rescue service takes care of your physical well-being with traditional dishes, drinks and musical entertainment.

Return of the sheep on sunday, 8th of september 2024

NIEDERTALM MOUNTAIN HUT – GIOGO BASSO/NIEDERJOCH (3,019 M) – VERNAGO/VERNAGT (1,700 M)
Up to 2,200 sheep and 300 goats move early in the morning from the "Niedertal-Alm" in the Venter Tal (A), past the Martin Busch Hütte (refreshment and overnight accommodation), through high alpine terrain (not dangerous) up to the Niederjoch (3,019 m) or to the Similaunhütte (refreshment and overnight accommodation), where the first part of the herd arrives at around 9.00 am. Now comes the most dangerous part of the sheep drive, especially when there is already some snow or the path or individual sections of the path are somewhat icy. Below the hut, the train winds downhill on a not too wide path through steep and rocky terrain (down to approx. 2,600 metres). Then it becomes somewhat flatter and less dangerous again. After a rest in the centre of the Tisental valley, the herd descends to Vernagt, where it arrives at around 2.00 pm. Even from a distance you can see a never-ending queue of sheep (approx. ½ hour).
The flocks of sheep and shepherds are ceremoniously welcomed to the valley with traditional shepherd's festivities. The Schnals Sheep Breeders' Association takes care of your physical well-being with traditional dishes, drinks and musical entertainment.

Return of the sheep on saturday, 14th of september 2024

Schedule may change if weather conditions are bad