The Cows Come Home
Mountain | reviews | videos | photos
Every guide dreams of having his or her group enjoy the happy moment when the farmers bring their cows down from the high meadow. They don’t announce the event, and even locals are taken by surprise when it happens. The Swiss will empty out of their shops and homes to smile at the farmers and their cows — all decked out in flowers and clanging bells — as they lumber by. You can’t plan it, but you can jump into the streets when you hear that bovine parade approaching. I was just settling into my room after a long and demanding day’s hike when I heard the cowbells in the distance. My first thought: "It must be something different." But they got closer and closer and suddenly I realized, “This is it!” Grabbing my shoes and sweater and camera, I ran out to enjoy this ancient Swiss ritual. So did most of our tour group. Here’s the clip of a moment that capped a wonderful day in the Alps. Thanks for following along here on YouTube as I guide our Best of Europe in 21 Days tour (http://www.ricksteves.com/europe-tour). You can find all of my dispatches from the road at http://www.ricksteves.com/blog.
Comments
-
Oh, this is amazing. We lucked into seeing the Dec 21 Perchten in Salzburg this year. We thought we'd missed it. Hoe to catch the Bull Whippers next week and make a video. Thanks for sharing your program on Youtube! I took my first trip to Europe with your book in my pack and after watching your show on PBS (20 years ago) and now we're traveling Europe for a year (and making our own videos) with our kids and using your youtube channel to give them background on each location!!!
-
I don't know any one can watch this video very long...
-
Its a torture for the cow's ears I bet.
-
I was there this june. Rick is walking at the end of Lauterbrunnen called Stechelberg. Very beautifull if you walk on further up the valley, but this is where the public roads stop. When I go on vacation in Berner Oberland I always take a drive to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. But it is pretty busy with tourists in the high season, although they mostly stay in the village and cable rides, because they don't hike! There are far more quiet and equally beautifull valleys just in the neighbourhood. But no need to promote it, check out for your self! They walk their cows down from high up the same way everywhere, sortof majestic to hear them coming, love it. Pardon my English, i'm dutch and my country is too flat for my wellbeing. :-)
-
love
-
My wife and I caught the cows coming down in Berchtegaden, Austria. Always keep your eyes open for something special and unexpected.
-
Your so lucky
-
come to herisau
-
Has the fat lady sung?
-
Holy Cow!
-
awesome.
-
Does it happen on a specific date of the year or just like every week or so?!?!
-
What town is this ?? I would like to visit....
-
Was just there a week ago!
-
Rick, You are still the undisputed super heavy weight champion of the world when it comes to travel!💪
-
Do they do this because they know that the first snow's will be coming very soon.
-
Like 52 Nice :-)
-
The cowbells will make my dogs bark!
-
Beautiful, feels like a lovely way to celebrate summer to Autumn.
-
It is a tradition that occurs all over Switzerland. In French, it is called the "désalpe".
1m 11sLenght