Primiero's big celebration that welcomes the herds back from the high pastures. Four days of parades, music, mountain-hut flavours and tradition at the foot of the Pale di San Martino.
The Gran Festa del Desmontegar celebrates the desmontegada, the return of the cows from the high pastures to the valley floor after summer at altitude. It is one of the most heartfelt autumn moments in the Primiero valley, between San Martino di Castrozza and the nearby villages.
For four days the villages fill up with markets, folk music, folklore groups, workshops and old crafts. There are tastings of mountain-hut cheeses and local produce, with the day dedicated to cheese as one of the highlights.
On Sunday comes the most awaited parade. The herds, decorated for the occasion, cross the historic centres accompanied by the breeders' families in traditional dress, among bands and groups in costume.
Good to know
- Admission: Access to the festival and to the Desmontegada parade is free. You only pay for what you choose to eat or drink at the stalls and farms, plus any guided tastings of cheese and mountain-hut products.
- The festival takes place in the villages of the Primiero valley, in particular between Fiera di Primiero, Tonadico and Siror.
- By car from Trento or from the Veneto, follow signs for Primiero San Martino di Castrozza. On festival days it is best to arrive early to find parking.
- The Sunday parade is the busiest moment. Detailed programme and times on the official site granfestadeldesmontegar.it and on sanmartino.com.
Official website (tickets & info) ↗
Dates, times and prices change every year: always check the official pages before you go.