They like to moo-ve it! The Swiss village that celebrates the arrival of autumn with colourful costumes and a procession of goats and cattle

  • To celebrate the changing of the seasons, villagers in Urnaesch lead brown cows to the lowlands each autumn
  • Wearing large bells, the brown cows - and small white goats - are led by children and men in traditional dress
  • Now a beloved tourist attraction, the procession may take place anytime between the end of August and October

By Katie Amey for MailOnline

Published: 02:28 EST, 26 September 2015 | Updated: 06:55 EST, 26 September 2015

In the small Swiss village of Urnaesch, locals have long celebrated the start of autumn in a very unique way.

Brown cows, donning bells that are as big as their heads, lead little white goats and herdsmen in traditional red-and-yellow dress through the rolling green hills.

Known as Alpabzug, the ceremony is meant to mark the seasonal change in Switzerland and, as you might imagine, it has deep roots in the country's agricultural traditions.

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Leading their goats and cattle, Swiss farmers and their children don traditional costumes to walk their animals to lower pastures each autumn

Leading their goats and cattle, Swiss farmers and their children don traditional costumes to walk their animals to lower pastures each autumn

The cows move en masse from the high Alpine pastures to the lowlands to take cover during the snowy season - and despite having been going on for years, it has only recently become a tourist attraction.

Today, trains from Zurich take visitors on the 90-minute trip to rural Switzerland to take in the autumnal folk festival.

The celebrations may occur at any time between the end of August and October, but vary from valley to valley in the region.

Where Urnaesch is located - Appenzellerland - is one of Switzerland's lesser-known areas, where many conservative traditions are still a part of the villagers' daily life.

A beloved tourist attraction, convention requires that the brown cows don intricately-embroidered collars and gigantic bells

A beloved tourist attraction, convention requires that the brown cows don intricately-embroidered collars and gigantic bells

Following the long walk down the mountain, the farmers often sing together during a festival in the town of Urnaesch below

Following the long walk down the mountain, the farmers often sing together during a festival in the town of Urnaesch below

And though it may look a chaotic scene, there is method to the madness of the cow procession. 

First, a young boy clad in yellow leather lederhosen and a red vest makes his way down from the hills. A little girl, tending to a flock of white goats, follows.

One herdsman, wearing full traditional dress, including elaborate metal-work, trails behind with his most-perfect specimen of cow in tow.

The yodelers lead the rest of the herd, as their singing helps to keep the animals together and moving. A bull and cart bring up the rear.

Upon reaching the town below, the villagers are then welcomed with glasses of fresh apple juice, wine or beer. There are also food stands selling sausages, fruit cordials and cheese on offer to visitors.

The cow's large bells are taken off once the animals reach their stables in the valleys, which is where they will spend the snowy season

The cow's large bells are taken off once the animals reach their stables in the valleys, which is where they will spend the snowy season

Known as the Alpabzug, the Alpine folk festival refers to 'cows coming home' and has its roots in traditional agricultural practices

Known as the Alpabzug, the Alpine folk festival refers to 'cows coming home' and has its roots in traditional agricultural practices

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