Welcome to the Horberlehof
Twittering birds, chirping crickets, murmuring of the near-by streams located amidst the beautiful Black Forest, far from noise and hectic rush, the nature surrounding our farm invites you to linger. Take a break from everyday life and enjoy the scent of the unpolluted countryside in every season of the year.
The Horberle Farm is romantically surrounded by woods and meadows. No matter if you are looking for activity, a family vacation or simply some rest and recreation, you are cordially invited to the Horberle Farm for a relaxing holiday. Horse-back riding, hiking, biking excursions… Would you like to know more about the culture and history of the Black Forest and what is has to offer? The Mid-Black Forest offers all that and much more!
The history of the Horberlehof
The city archive of Wolfach has records of previous farm ownership dating back to the year 1750. Older documents have been destroyed by fatal fires during the Thirty Years' War. Back then the farm had been managed under extremely hard conditions on the steep slopes of the Langenbach valley.
Being approved under building law, the »Siebenschläfer« was permitted to remain after war, and so in the 1950's renting accommodation for health spa guests began. In the early 1960's a small vacation apartment was furnished in the main house. This was the beginning of our lodging establishment.
Installing a new heating system in 1975 marked the beginning of the barn’s reconstruction into four vacation apartments (varying in size from 30 to 40 sqm). In 1978 the farm was signed over to the son Alfred Schillinger. Two years later, in 1980, the nearby house (built for the older generation) was torn down and replaced with two additional rentals.
Preserving a technically exemplary style, the cottage was rebuilt into a commodious vacation home in 1990. In 1992 an additional recreational room was added to the main house to complement the existing apartments. In the spring of 1997 the complete Fahrner Family tentatively moved into the nearby house and the farm was handed over in July 1998 already.
Due to the extremely steep slopes no farming had been done for more than 40 years. With a total of 73,1 ha (of which only 3,1 ha are still grassland) and 69 ha of forest area, we are now operating the Horberle Farm together. In 1999 we began with enormous maintenance work, both inside and outside. Also in 1999, our first professional web page was set up. The reception desk got equipped with a fax machine, computer and telephone system. A new brochure was created, too.
The open cowshed behind the main house was re-constructed and adjusted for horses. Our first two Haflinger »Dolly« and »Napoleon« moved in at the end of October 1999. After experiencing storm »Lothar« in December 1999, we knew revenue of renting to guests was what we had to focus on. In 2001 foal »Montana« was born. The French trotter »Joker« joined the Horberle Farm in 2003.
In addition to horse-back and pony riding, we could add carriage rides to the range of activities after husband and daughter received training in carriage driving in 2002. In 2004 the DTV (German Tourism Association) rated the Horberle Farm with 4 stars. The business registration took place at the administrative district office of Ortenaukreis and in addition we obtained permission to serve breakfast.
December 2009: The Horberle Farm obtains a new Corporate Design. Since the ground plan of our property shows the shape of a butterfly, we used this element for our logo. A new web page and home brochure follow.
We are looking forward to keeping the farm contemporary and efficient in order to offer our guests a vacation to enjoy.
»A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.« Dalai Lama
With regards,
Your hosts, the Fahrner Family