Alpine transhumance is transhumance as practiced in the Alps, that is, a seasonal droving of grazing livestock between the valleys in winter and the high mountain pastures in summer. Transhumance is a traditional practice that has shaped much of the landscape in the Alps, as without it, most areas below 2,000 m (6,600 ft) would be forests.
While tourism and industry contribute today much to Alpine economy, seasonal migration to high pastures is still practiced in Bavaria, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, France and Switzerland, except in their most frequented tourist centers. In some places, cattle are taken care of by local farmer families who move to higher places. In others, this job is for herdsmen who are employees of the cooperative owning the pastures.
Five alps around Tierfehd, between 1280 (far left) and 1830 (foreground left) meters, highlighted by the afternoon sun.
Braunvieh cow on high pasture in the Engadin (2007)
Almabtrieb, Kufstein (2005)
bringing livestock to summer pasture, Schwägalp (Jun 2004)
Transhumance is a type of pastoralism or nomadism, a seasonal movement of livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures. In montane regions, it implies movement between higher pastures in summer and lower valleys in winter. Herders have a permanent home, typically in valleys. Generally only the herds travel, with a certain number of people necessary to tend them, while the main population stays at the base. In contrast, horizontal transhumance is more susceptible to being disrupted by climatic, economic, or political change.
Transhumance in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Moving sheep up along a drovers' road in the Massif Central, France
Romanian and Vlach transhumance in Balkans
Vlach shepherd in Banat