Lyla Lindsey
In the Germanic mountain regions of Austria, farmers have, for many millennia, driven their livestock to spend the summer in the mountains. These mountain cabins are known as Alms and are usually built as shelter for the herdsman or dairywoman taking care of the animals. The word Alm in German refers to the hut and the surrounding land, which often consists of many hectares of lush pastures, meadows, and forests. The animals are either driven up to the pastures in a transporter or walk up on foot, sometimes for many kilometres on winding paths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A mountain cabin, usually built as a shelter for herdsmen or dairywomen who take care of the animals |
| Location | High up in the mountains |
| Land | Lush mountain pastures, often consisting of many hectares of meadows and forests |
| Animals | Cows, horses, sheep and goats |
| Grazing | Animals are either driven in a transporter or walked up to the pastures on foot; the trip home is traditionally between St. Bartholomäus (24 August) and St. Michael (29 September) |
| Food | Milk, cheese, and butter are produced on-site |
| Festivals | Almabtrieb festivals are celebrated in all mountainous regions in Austria, including Vorarlberg, the Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, and Styria |
| Decorations | Animals are decorated during the Almabtrieb; this was traditionally believed to be a protective spell against evil spirits |
| Culture | The Alm is where the yodel was born and where ancient legends and stories were set |
| River | There is also a river called Alm in the Austrian state of Upper Austria |
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What You'll Learn
An 'Alm' is a mountain cabin
In the Germanic mountain regions of Austria, an Alm is a mountain cabin. In the Alpine regions, farmers traditionally drive their livestock to an Alm for the summer. These lush mountain pastures high up in the mountains provide the animals with nutritious grass to graze on. The valley pastures further down then get a chance to recover.
An Alm is also the word for a mountain cabin, which usually serves as a shelter for the herdsman or dairywoman tending the animals. These cabins are also known as "alpine huts". They are home not only to people but also to cows, horses, sheep, and goats. In addition to providing shelter, these huts are places where cows are milked. This milk is then transported down to the valley to a local dairy.
Some huts are also "Sennalmen" or "dairy huts", where milk is processed into cheese and butter on-site. This is a tricky and time-consuming process that demands patience and experience. The shepherds who tend the animals may also help with the milking, and they need to have more than basic first-aid knowledge—not just for themselves but for the livestock as well.
The most important event in life "on the Alm" is the Almabtrieb, a festival that marks the end of the mountain farming summer. All of the mountainous regions in Austria—Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, and Styria—have locations where Almabtrieb festivals are celebrated. The trip home traditionally takes place between St. Bartholomäus (August 24) and St. Michael (September 29). However, the animals may be forced down from the mountains earlier than predicted due to weather conditions.
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Farmers drive their livestock to an 'Alm' for summer
In the Alpine regions of Austria, it is common for farmers to drive their livestock to an Alm – a lush mountain pasture – for the summer. An Alm is also the German word for a mountain cabin, usually built as a shelter for the herdsman or dairywoman who tend to the animals. These cabins are often located at high altitudes, such as the Piffalm in Salzburg, which is 1,500 meters above the village of Ferleiten.
During the summer months, farmers drive their animals from the valley up into the mountains to graze on the nutritious grass found on the higher slopes. This practice, known as "transhumance," has been carried out for millennia and is an adjustment to the scarcity of pastures in mountainous regions. By bringing their livestock to the Alm, farmers allow the valley pastures to recover while also providing their animals with the benefits of fresh air and steep terrain.
The animals that are typically driven to the Alm include cows, horses, sheep, and goats. These animals not only graze on the pastures but also provide milk, which is either transported down to the valley or processed into cheese and butter on-site. This process, known as cheesemaking, is time-consuming and requires sterile conditions. In addition to their animal husbandry duties, the men and women who tend to the Alm often take on other tasks such as building fences, forestry work, and water management.
The annual ritual of driving livestock to the Alm in the spring and back down to the valley in the autumn has become a spectacle that attracts onlookers and tourists. This tradition is an integral part of Austria's culture and tourism industry, offering picturesque landscapes and lovely views. The hard work and dedication of the people involved in this practice play a crucial role in maintaining the renowned landscape of the region.
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The word 'Alm' refers to the surrounding land
In the Germanic Alpine regions of Austria, farmers have, for thousands of years, driven their livestock to spend the summer in the mountains. These lush mountain pastures high up in the mountains are known as "Alms". The word "Alm" in German refers not only to the mountain cabin sheltering the herdsman or dairywoman but also to the surrounding land, which often includes many hectares of meadows and forests.
The Alm is a place of hard work for the men and women who tend to the livestock and maintain the landscape. Their dedication and commitment play a major role in preserving the landscape that the region is famous for. The work is relentless, seven days a week, for several months on end. The tasks are varied and demanding, including milking cows, searching for missing animals, repairing broken fences, and making cheese. Shepherds must have more than basic first-aid knowledge, as the nearest vet may be many hours away.
The most important event in life on the Alm is the "Almabtrieb", the trip home at the end of the mountain farming summer. The return journey is traditionally between St. Bartholomäus (24 August) and St. Michael (29 September), depending on the availability of grass and water and the absence of early snowfall. All of the mountainous regions in Austria, including Vorarlberg, the Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, and Styria, celebrate the Almabtrieb with festivals.
The Alm is also where the yodel was born and where ancient legends and stories were set. Folk songs would sing about summer life in the mountains, and certain saints were called upon for protection and blessing, with chapels built on some alpine pastures in their honour.
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![Vier Väter zu Viel & Glück auf der Alm-Dvd 2 [Import allemand]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/817jJtyTtbL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Almabtrieb is an Austrian farming tradition
Almabtrieb is a traditional Austrian festival that marks the return of livestock from their summer retreats in the mountains. The name comes from the German words 'alm', meaning a high mountain pasture, and 'abtrieb', meaning to drive or herd animals. The festival is a major celebration for farming villages and has become an important event for tourists visiting Austria.
During the summer, farmers drive their livestock up to mountain cabins, known as 'Alms', where the animals can graze on the lush pastures. This practice, known as 'transhumance', is necessary because there isn't enough grazing area in the valleys. The animals are usually walked up winding mountain paths, sometimes for many kilometres, to reach their summer pastures.
In the mountains, farmers and herdsmen work tirelessly to care for the animals. Tasks include milking cows, searching for missing animals, repairing fences, and making cheese. Shepherds must have basic first aid knowledge for themselves and their animals, as the nearest vet may be many hours away.
In autumn, the farmers and their livestock return to the valleys. Each region in Austria has its own way of celebrating the Almabtrieb, with different methods of decorating the animals. In Tyrol, for example, cows are adorned with beautiful headdresses that fit over their foreheads and noses. The headdresses sometimes display a picture of a saint or the name of the pasture the animal comes from. The Almabtrieb is a time to give thanks for the safe return of the herds and to celebrate with traditional Austrian food and music.
The Almabtrieb is an important tradition that showcases Austrian culture and fosters an appreciation of the local environment and community. It is a charming festival that attracts visitors from all over the world.
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'Alm' is also the name of a river in Upper Austria
In the Alpine regions of Austria, "Alm" refers to the lush mountain pastures high up in the mountains. It is also the name of a river in the Austrian state of Upper Austria. The river Alm originates from the lake Almsee and is a tributary of the Traun, joining near Fischlham. The Alm river flows through several municipalities in Upper Austria, including Grünau im Almtal, Scharnstein, Pettenbach, Vorchdorf, Steinerkirchen an der Traun, and Bad Wimsbach-Neydharting. The river is known for its potable water quality and is a popular fishing spot, especially for fly fishing.
The term "Alm" in the context of Austrian mountain culture refers to the mountain cabins or huts built as shelters for herdsmen and dairywomen tending their livestock. These cabins are often located at high altitudes, such as the Piffalm cabin in Salzburg, which sits at 1,500 meters above the village of Ferleiten. The Alpine pastures surrounding these cabins provide picturesque landscapes and lovely views, contributing to the allure of Austria as a travel destination.
The tradition of driving livestock to the "Alm" or mountain pastures during the summer is centuries old. This practice, known as "transhumance," involves farmers moving their animals to higher grazing grounds, allowing the valley pastures to recover. The steep terrain and fresh air of the mountains are beneficial for the animals, and the abundant grass provides nutritious grazing.
The "Alm" or mountain huts are not just dwellings but also serve multiple purposes. Some are Melkalmen" or "milking huts," where cows are milked, and the milk is transported to the valley for processing. Others are Sennalmen" or "dairy huts," where milk is processed into cheese and butter on-site, requiring patience and expertise. The work of shepherds and dairywomen is challenging and relentless, encompassing tasks such as milking, herding, fence repair, and first aid for themselves and their animals.
The river Alm, flowing through Upper Austria, and the concept of "Alm" as mountain pastures and cabins in Austria's Alpine regions, reflect the country's rich natural and cultural heritage. The river serves as a recreational fishing spot, while the mountain cabins and pastures play a vital role in agriculture, tourism, and the preservation of Austria's renowned landscapes.
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Frequently asked questions
An Alm is a mountain cabin in the Alpine regions of Austria. It is also the word used for the lush mountain pastures high up in the mountains where farmers drive their livestock for summer grazing.
The word 'Alm' is derived from the German word 'Almen', which means Alpine huts.
Almabtrieb is a traditional Austrian festival that marks the end of the mountain farming summer. It is considered the most important event in life "on the Alm". The festival is celebrated in all the mountainous regions of Austria, including Vorarlberg, the Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, and Styria.
During the Almabtrieb festival, animals are decorated and driven from the mountains back into the valleys. This annual ritual, known as "transhumance", attracts onlookers in both spring and autumn.
