MIGRATION OF THE SHEEP - coming back home 2023
Transhumance in Schnals:
During the transhumance from the valley of Schnals to Ötztal in early summer, between 3,000 and 4,000 sheep are driven from South Tyrol across the Italian-Austrian border to Tyrol – and back in autumn 09.+10. september 2023. In fact, the have to deal with 3,200 meters of altitude uphill and with 1,800 m of altitude downhill on thousands of years old routes.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
In 2019, transhumance has been added to the list of international UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage at the common request of Italy, Austria and Greece. This tradition, passed on from generation to generation, improves biodiversity and symbolises a strong connection between humans and animals as well as for sustainable agriculture.
Unique transhumance in Schnals
Transhumance is made in many regions of the world, mainly in the Mediterranean are too. However, the sheep transhumance from Schnals to the summer pastures near Vent in Ötztal is the only known border and glacier crossing nomadic pasture farming. The transhumance across the main Alpine ridge in the Ötztal Alps has been existing since at least 6,000 years.
Dangerous track over snow and rocks
In June, the herds are driven over two routes: from Kurzras over Hochjoch pass (2,520 m) to Rofen Valley and from Vernagt over Niederjoch pass (3,017 m) to Niedertal Valley. For the sheep coming from Vinschgau, the hike even takes two days: They start one day earlier in Laas and stay near the gathering places in Kurzras and Vernagt overnight. In total, they make a transhumance of 44 km.
After the sheep will have enjoyed the lush grass and the aromatic scent of Alpine herbs on the high pastures, they will return from Ötztal Valley to Schnalstal Valley in September. Because of the mild climatic conditions, the way back is easier to make. The successful sheep transhumance is then celebrated during a great festival.
During the transhumance from the valley of Schnals to Ötztal in early summer, between 3,000 and 4,000 sheep are driven from South Tyrol across the Italian-Austrian border to Tyrol – and back in autumn 09.+10. september 2023. In fact, the have to deal with 3,200 meters of altitude uphill and with 1,800 m of altitude downhill on thousands of years old routes.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
In 2019, transhumance has been added to the list of international UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage at the common request of Italy, Austria and Greece. This tradition, passed on from generation to generation, improves biodiversity and symbolises a strong connection between humans and animals as well as for sustainable agriculture.
Unique transhumance in Schnals
Transhumance is made in many regions of the world, mainly in the Mediterranean are too. However, the sheep transhumance from Schnals to the summer pastures near Vent in Ötztal is the only known border and glacier crossing nomadic pasture farming. The transhumance across the main Alpine ridge in the Ötztal Alps has been existing since at least 6,000 years.
Dangerous track over snow and rocks
In June, the herds are driven over two routes: from Kurzras over Hochjoch pass (2,520 m) to Rofen Valley and from Vernagt over Niederjoch pass (3,017 m) to Niedertal Valley. For the sheep coming from Vinschgau, the hike even takes two days: They start one day earlier in Laas and stay near the gathering places in Kurzras and Vernagt overnight. In total, they make a transhumance of 44 km.
After the sheep will have enjoyed the lush grass and the aromatic scent of Alpine herbs on the high pastures, they will return from Ötztal Valley to Schnalstal Valley in September. Because of the mild climatic conditions, the way back is easier to make. The successful sheep transhumance is then celebrated during a great festival.
