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Viehscheid Bad Hindelang 2027: date, schedule & market
The 2027 Viehscheid in Bad Hindelang – the traditional autumn cattle drive – takes place on Saturday 11 September 2027. From 8:30 am around 1,000 young cattle from the Hinterstein and Retterschwang valleys arrive at the sorting ground by the Hornbahn, and admission is free. For the village, 11 September is a holiday: the schools stay closed and the whole of Bad Hindelang gathers at the sorting ground. Here you can read how the day unfolds, what happened in 2026 and where to stay close by.
When is the Viehscheid in Bad Hindelang in 2027?
Bad Hindelang has always stuck to 11 September, whatever day of the week it falls on. Only when the 11th is a Sunday is the celebration held on the Saturday before. In 2027, 11 September is a Saturday – a stroke of luck for anyone who would rather not take a day off for it. From 8:30 am the herds arrive at the sorting ground by the Hornbahn, and the traditional market opens as early as 8 am.
In 2026 Oberstaufen and the Oberstdorf district of Schöllang also held their Viehscheid on the same day; their dates for 2027 are still to be announced. The big Viehscheid in Oberstdorf is expected to follow on 13 September. You will find all villages and dates in our overview of the Viehscheid dates in the Allgäu 2027.
Looking back: the Viehscheid Bad Hindelang 2026
On Friday 11 September 2026, around 1,000 head of young cattle returned to the valley from the five young-stock pastures of Hasenegg, Erzberg, Kühbach, Stierbach and Platten. After around 100 days on the high pastures, the herds arrived at the sorting ground by the Hornbahn from 8:30 am at intervals of about an hour, the last animals around midday. The road to Hinterstein was closed during the cattle drive.
Around the sorting ground the big traditional market ran with about 120 stalls, plus a festival marquee and fairground rides. As every year, the alpine summer decided which herd could be led by a garlanded cow: the lead animal only receives the wreath of fir twigs, flowers and ribbons if no animal has come to harm. In 2025 that was only the case for the Erzberg pasture, whose three garlanded cows led the herd.
How the day unfolds
- From 8 am: the traditional market next to the sorting ground opens.
- From 8:30 am: the first herd reaches the sorting ground by the Hornbahn.
- Until approx. 12 noon: all five alpine pastures are in the valley and each herd is sorted.
- Afterwards: festival marquee, brass music, fairground rides and Allgäu specialities into the night.
Getting there and parking
There is parking right by the Viehscheid ground, and coaches stop at Bad Hindelang bus station. Expect busy roads from the Sonthofen direction in the morning. If you want to avoid the queues, arrive early or take the bus from Sonthofen. Easiest of all is to stay nearby and enjoy the day without keeping an eye on the clock.
Where to stay for the Viehscheid in Bad Hindelang
Our holiday apartments in Sonthofen are a quarter of an hour from Bad Hindelang: early at the sorting ground in the morning, back for a rest at lunchtime, and off to the festival marquee again in the evening. And two days later you can be at the Viehscheid in Oberstdorf in around 20 minutes, which is expected to take place on 13 September. You arrive whenever suits you, and the code for self check-in is sent to your phone in advance. The apartments get booked up early around 11 September.
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Alpin Loft
Immenstadt
From79€67€/ night
- up to 6 guests
- 3 beds
- 1 bathroom
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Alpsee Panorama
Immenstadt
From69€59€/ night
- up to 4 guests
- 2 beds
- 1 bathroom
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Maisonette Stüble
Immenstadt
From69€59€/ night
- up to 4 guests
- 2 beds
- 1 bathroom
- Check availability
- Holiday apartments in Sonthofen
Tips for your Viehscheid visit in Bad Hindelang
- Be at the sorting ground by 8:30 am: then you will see the first herd before the crowds arrive.
- Let the children stand at the front by the barrier: the animals pass close by – they will never forget it.
- Bring cash for the market and the festival marquee.
- Pack a rain jacket – there is little shelter at the sorting ground.
- Extend your weekend: Oberstdorf is expected to celebrate two days later.
Between the Viehscheid days there is time for the mountains around Hinterstein and the places to visit in the Allgäu, usually with clear long-distance views in September.
Frequently asked questions about the Viehscheid in Bad Hindelang
When is the Viehscheid in Bad Hindelang in 2027?
On Saturday 11 September 2027. Bad Hindelang celebrates every year on 11 September; only when it falls on a Sunday is the event moved to the Saturday before. The first herds arrive at the sorting ground from 8:30 am.
Where is the sorting ground in Bad Hindelang?
At the valley station of the Hornbahn. Right next to it are the festival marquee, the traditional market and the fairground rides; there is parking at the Viehscheid ground, and coaches stop at the bus station.
How many animals come down to the valley at the Viehscheid in Bad Hindelang?
Around 1,000 young cattle from five young-stock pastures in the Hinterstein and Retterschwang valleys. The herds arrive at intervals of about an hour, the last ones around 12 noon.
Why don’t all herds have a garlanded cow?
The lead animal only receives the wreath if the herd has come through the whole summer without an accident. In 2025, for example, only the Erzberg pasture had three garlanded cows at the front; the other pastures came without a wreath.
Is Bad Hindelang worth it with children?
Absolutely. Besides the animals there are fairground rides and over 100 market stalls, and the whole village has the day off, even the schools. Come early so the little ones can see the herds before the crowds arrive.
Conclusion
The Viehscheid in Bad Hindelang on 11 September 2027 is one of the largest and most atmospheric cattle drives in the Allgäu – and in 2027, fortunately, on a Saturday. With a holiday apartment in Sonthofen or elsewhere in the Allgäu you can reach the sorting ground in the morning without traffic jams. Book in good time – we look forward to welcoming you!
More articles
Viehscheid in the Allgäu 2027: all dates & a look back at 2026
Viehscheid in the Allgäu 2027: dates from Bad Hindelang to Oberstdorf and Immenstadt, what happened in 2026 – and where to stay for the cattle drives.
Viehscheid Oberstdorf 2027: date, schedule & getting there
Viehscheid Oberstdorf 2027: expected on 13 September, around 1,000 animals from five alpine pastures in the Ried – schedule, getting there and where to stay in Oberstdorf.
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