Farmer Thomas Nairz and the Almabtrieb

Every year in spring, around 260 cows and some horses from Leutasch respond to the call of the alpine pastures! There, they get to experience what we all secretly dream of: spending summer in the mountains. High up, on lush alpine meadows, with a magnificent view and fresh mountain air. In June, when the snow has melted, the animals are brought to the alpine pasture. To get there, they must embark on a long march: the path to their summer residence, the Gaistalalm, is 6 kilometers long. Later in the season, they go even higher to the Rotmoosalm. There, they spend summer days at 2030 meters. Thomas and the farmers entrust their livestock to the care of the shepherds. Every day, these shepherds check on the animals to ensure that they are all healthy and well.

As the days get shorter and the temperatures cooler, you can gradually feel it: Autumn is slowly setting in. For the cows and horses, this means returning to the valley, and therefore the cattle drive in Tyrol is the first sign that summer is over.

A cattle drive requires some preparation: "The day before the cattle drive, the farmers and herders gather together. The cows are then driven into a pasture below the Gaistalalm," says Thomas. The next morning, the journey really begins: 120 cows are moving towards the valley. 120 animals, among them also numerous calves - anyone who knows cows knows that they sometimes have a mind of their own! A cattle drive therefore demands the utmost effort and full concentration from everyone involved. The fact that it always runs smoothly and without problems is due to good cooperation. Together, the herders, farmers, farmwomen, young farmers, and dogs help ensure that the livestock arrives healthy and lively in Leutasch.

After 6 kilometers through the Gaistal, the route is mostly completed. This year, the first stop was at the Ganghofer Museum in Kirchplatzl. You can hear the group from afar:

The loud ringing of the bells, the clattering of hooves, and the calls of the herders announce their arrival.

First, the cows are driven up to a pasture higher up in Leutasch. Here, some farmers are already sorting their cattle. The rest of the herd is allowed to rest for a short while before the journey continues down the valley. The farmers and herders also take a well-deserved break and are happy that the journey has gone well so far.

In the evening, after all the cows have returned to their stables and pastures, the community gathers once more for dinner at the inn. It is the conclusion of the alpine summer: The drive down is celebrated, the stories of the summer are shared once more, and it is known: Autumn is now here!

The 2018 Almabtrieb was already Thomas's 10th drive. He grew up on the Lippenhof in Leutasch. The farm has been in the family for 277 years – now Thomas is the next generation to continue running the farm. It was clear to Thomas from an early age that he would take over the farm. "Well, when I was very little, I wanted to be a carpenter – or even a pastor!" he laughs. But from his youth, he knew:

"Basically, there was never really another option; this is what I've always wanted to do."

So Thomas now takes care of the 12 cows, young animals, and calves that belong to the farm. The young cattle spend the summer on the alpine pastures. The six dairy cows are on the pasture in summer. They need to be milked twice a day. "Until a few years ago, my father still did that by hand in the summer," Thomas recounts. But that is a lot of work. "I set up a milking machine on the pasture that can be operated with the tractor.".

In addition to the stable work, Thomas also manages the fields, makes hay, puts up fences in the spring on the alpine pastures, and carries out many other tasks that arise on the farm. However, the most time-consuming and labor-intensive work is the woodwork. "Thanks to the machines, it is no longer as laborious as it used to be!" says Thomas. And yet: For Thomas, a labor-intensive project started in the spring of 2018. In the Gaistal, the forest-pasture separation was initiated. Here, the farmers have grazing rights, but a large part of it is forest. Consequently, the cows are also in the forest, which harms it. Therefore, there is a drive to remove the animals from the forest. To protect the forest and provide the cows with better pastures, the farmers are given grazing areas that still need to be cleared in part. Thus, Thomas will also work on creating lush, green meadows in the coming summers, where the cows can enjoy their idyllic alpine summer.

In summer and winter, Thomas' day begins at 5 AM and goes until half past 7 in the evening. The days are long and often depend on the weather and the season. If rain is forecasted, he has to quickly gather the hay or harvest the potatoes (Erdäpfel). In winter, when the snow often covers the fields and mountains in meters, field and wood work is not needed. Therefore, Thomas worked until the end of winter as a ski instructor in Seefeld. "That is a completely different job than working on the farm," Thomas shares. He enjoyed interacting with the guests. "A fantastic experience, and I wouldn’t want to miss it!" However, the whole year was very labor-intensive. Now he can also go on a ski tour in winter and take some time for himself. But Thomas says: "I prefer spring when everything turns green – and when the cattle are in the pasture. There, where they surely have the best time of the year!" And so all 260 cows in Leutasch are probably already counting down the days until it is once again: The pasture calls!

Additionally: At Lippenhof in Leutasch, there are two vacation apartments where guests can enjoy a holiday. You can find more information here: Lippenhof Leutasch