November 9, 2017

Another Swiss Trekkers’ Adventure

2017-09-23 Alpabzug–The Cows Come Home

The Tuesday Trekkers were lucky enough to be in the lower Engadin Valley for the Alpabzug or celebration of the cows coming down the mountains on September 23rd.  The cows summered in mountain pastures above the towns of Ftan and Sent, and the villagers (and tourists) welcomed them with alphorns, big bells, traditional costumes, and, of course, fancy flowers and headdresses for the cows.

We took postal buses from Sur En to Scuol and then to Ftan, and milled around the central square and village streets and slopes waiting for the cows.  Two alphorns led the procession, followed by a cacaphony of bells, bells, bells.  Beautifully decorated cows paraded down through the meadows and streets to a big pasture.

While the cows meandered around the pasture, the villagers and tourists feasted on local food–wursts, raclette, plum cake and other pastries, and wine and beer.  It was delightful to sit at long tables in the sunshine with cows and beautiful mountain scenery all around.

After the Ftan celebration, some Trekkers went up a ski lift and then hiked back to Scuol or Sur En.  Two members just kept running around the village looking for each other–and keeping the rest of us in stitches.  And some of us went to Sent to watch more cows come down the mountains.  The cows milled around the fountain in the main square, were sorted out and led off to their winter homes.