The correct way to handle grazing livestock
how to behave correctly
Grossarltal is known as the “Valley of Mountain Huts” and delights visitors in summer with around 400 km of marked hiking trails, about 40 serviced mountain huts, and 160 km of signposted mountain bike routes. Anyone hiking, mountain biking, or out with a dog in Grossarltal is mainly moving through a cultural landscape shaped by alpine meadows. That is exactly why treating grazing livestock with respect is an essential part of a safe mountain experience. Mountain bikers in particular regularly encounter grazing livestock on alpine and forest trails, for example where paths cross, near pasture fences, or along route sections leading up to the mountain huts. This makes it all the more important to stay alert, calm, and considerate while riding.
Cows and other grazing animals such as horses, sheep, and many more are an important part of the alpine landscape and help maintain the meadows. They are what make our alpine landscape such a special cultural landscape. Animals are especially common on the alpine pastures in summer, and in spring and autumn they can also be found in the valley along walking paths. Incidents are rare and usually caused by human behaviour. This makes it all the more important to stay alert, calm, and considerate when hiking and mountain biking in Grossarltal.
The most important rules of conduct at a glance
- Always keep a sufficient distance from grazing livestock
- Do not feed the animals
- Behave calmly and considerately
- Avoid noise and sudden movements
- Be especially careful around calves
- Pay attention to warning signs such as a lowered head, pawing the ground, or bellowing
- If the herd becomes restless, stay calm and move away quickly
- Do not turn your back on the animals
- Always keep dogs on a short leash; if an attack seems imminent, release the dog immediately
- Use gates and make sure to close them again
- Cross pastures quickly
- Do not leave marked hiking trails
- If grazing livestock is blocking the path, take a detour instead
How to behave correctly
on mountain huts and grazing land in Grossarltal
Always keep a sufficient distance from the animals and do not attempt to feed or pet cows or other grazing livestock. Avoid noise, sudden movements, and unnecessary approaches. Especially on popular hiking trails and on bike-and-hike tours in Grossarltal, prudent behaviour is particularly important, as people and animals share the same habitat here. This applies in particular on alpine and forest trails, on unclear or narrow sections, and wherever paths lead through grazing areas or past herds.
Take special care around young animals
Be especially cautious near young animals. Mother animals protect their offspring and may perceive an approach as a threat. Therefore, keep an especially wide distance and avoid any situation that could unsettle a herd.
Recognising warning signs
If a herd becomes restless, extra caution is required. Typical warning signs include a lowered head, pawing the ground, or bellowing. In this situation, stay calm and move away from the animals quickly. It is important not to turn your back on the animals while doing so.
If animals approach you
If grazing livestock comes towards you, remain calm. Try to avoid the animals as much as possible without reacting hectically. Consideration, distance, and calm movements help to defuse the situation.
TIP: Grazing animals are used to being guided with a stick. A hiking pole can therefore help you command respect. In most cases, simply raising the pole is enough.
Pay attention to paths, fences and gates
Stay on marked hiking trails and do not leave the official paths. If you need to cross a pasture, do so quickly. Use existing gates and make sure to close them carefully afterwards. If a herd is blocking the path, taking a wide detour is the better and safer option.
Out and about with a dog
Anyone taking a dog onto the mountain pastures should be especially alert. Cows and other grazing animals may perceive dogs as a threat. Even the presence of a dog or barking can put a herd on alert. For this reason, always keep your dog on a short lead while on grazing land.
If an attack by a cow or another grazing animal appears likely, the rule is: release the dog immediately. This allows the dog to get away and prevents you from being caught between the animal and the dog. Encounters between mother cows and dogs in particular should be avoided wherever possible.
Staying safe in the Valley of Mountain Huts
Whether it is a leisurely walk to a mountain hut, a challenging mountain tour, or mountain biking in Grossarltal, showing consideration for nature, alpine farming, and grazing livestock is part of a successful day in the mountains. Anyone who stays alert, keeps their distance, and follows simple rules of conduct helps ensure safe and relaxed coexistence in the mountain pastures of Grossarltal.
