10 Tips Around Grazing Animals

During the alpine season, you will encounter free-roaming cattle, sheep, goats and even horses on your hikes. The farmers here preserve a centuries-old tradition by driving cattle up to the alpine pastures and maintaining the unique natural and cultural landscape of the Kleinwalsertal.

To ensure that you can continue to hike here without limits in the future, we rely on good coexistence on the alps and pastures. To avoid misunderstandings between humans and herd animals, you should take a few tips to heart.

Tip 1 avoid contact

Avoid contact with grazing livestock, do not feed animals, keep a safe distance!

Avoid direct contact with grazing livestock, as the animals can react unpredictably. Do not feed them in order not to endanger their health and not to get them used to humans as a source of food. Always keep a safe distance, especially from mother animals with their children.

Tip 2 act calm

Keep calm, do not frighten grazing animals!

Keep calm and avoid hectic movements so as not to frighten the grazing animals. Loud noises or unexpected approaches can make the animals nervous. Calm handling ensures safety on both sides.

Tip 3 keep your distance from suckler cows and children

Suckler cows protect their calves, avoid encounters between suckler cows and dogs!

Suckler cows instinctively defend their calves and can react aggressively when approached. Dogs in particular trigger a protective instinct in them, which is why direct encounters should be avoided. Keep your distance and always keep dogs on a lead.

Tip 4 dealings with dogs

Always keep dogs under control and on a short lead. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable: Immediately unleash!

Always keep your dog on a short lead and keep it under control so as not to alarm grazing animals. If an attack is imminent, take your dog off the lead immediately so that it can get out of the way and you are not in danger.

Tip 5 stay on the paths

Do not leave hiking trails on alps and pastures!

Stay on the marked hiking trails so as not to disturb the grazing cattle and avoid damaging meadows or fences. Leaving the paths can disturb the animals and lead to unwanted encounters.

Tip 6 evade & keep distance

If grazing cattle block the path, keep as far away as possible!

If grazing cattle block your path, keep your distance and give them a wide berth. Do not push the animals and do not approach them directly so as not to frighten or provoke them.

Tip 7 stay calm

When approaching grazing livestock: Stay calm, do not turn your back, avoid the animals!

Stay calm when grazing cattle approach and avoid hectic movements. Do not turn your back on the animals, but move away from them slowly and carefully to prevent conflicts.

Tip 8 Leaving the grazing areas in the event of unrest

Leave the grazing area quickly at the first sign of restlessness in the animals!

Leave the grazing area immediately if you notice the first signs of restlessness in the animals. Quick action prevents the animals from feeling threatened and reacting aggressively.

Tip 9 pay attention to fences

Pay attention to fences! If there is a gate, use it, then close it properly and cross the pasture quickly!

Watch out for fences and only open gates if they are present. Use them to cross the pasture quickly and make sure you close the gate securely behind you - this will keep everything in order and the cattle undisturbed.

Tip 10 be Respektful

Treat the people who work here, nature and animals with respect.

Treat people, nature and animals with mindfulness and respect - because only together can we preserve this valuable environment. Thank you for making a difference with your consideration!