This is the shocking moment a hiker was attacked by a herd of cows on a hillside in China.

The mountaineer allegedly kept prodding one of the animals with a walking stick while posing for photos which provoked its aggression in Xinzhou on July 16.

Footage shows the cow ramming the visitor before the rest of the herd joined in, trampling him while he lay on the ground.

Shocked climbers watched in horror as the animals stomped before eventually leaving the injured man alone and he was rescued.

Local authorities said on July 17: ‘One tourist fed the cow beef jerky and repeatedly struck its rear with a stick.

‘This is a matter of personal behaviour. We will coordinate with the relevant departments to handle such incidents.'