Editorial update 2026: Berghäusle Wanderheim is still operating in the Black Forest and is currently managed by Petra and Michael Antczak. However, we could not find a current volunteer or hospitality exchange programme advertised on the host’s official website. The exchange conditions below come from the original listing and may have changed. Before making travel arrangements, please contact the hosts directly and confirm current availability, tasks, working hours, accommodation, meals, pocket money and any applicable visa or work requirements.
General info
Hospitality exchange in Germany. This hiking home is located in the southern Black Forest at 1,027 metres above sea level. It has a self-catering house with 25 beds and a tavern with 19 beds and a rustic dining room. The hosts offer accommodation and regional dishes for hikers and tourists.
What are you looking for help with?
- Cleaning
- Farming/gardening
- General help
- Hostel/hotel
What’s the mission of your community?
We are a couple with adult children and need help, as we are mostly just the two of us. In return, we offer volunteers the opportunity to learn our language and get to know the country. We also like to take volunteers with us when we do something cultural.
When would you need volunteers?
April to October and January to March.
How many hours of help per day?
5 hours.
How many days of help per week?
5 days.
Work expectations
The tasks consist of gardening and practical outdoor work, helping in the dining room, and cleaning rooms and bathrooms in cooperation with the hostel hosts.
Are accommodation and food included? 🏠🍜
Yes, food and accommodation are included
What type of accommodation can you provide?
Private room.
Diet
In consultation with the volunteers, we can offer just about everything. We have already hosted vegetarians and people with dietary restrictions. Vegan food is also possible.
Could you provide visa support or information? 🛂
No, we cannot provide visa support, but we can offer assistance
What are the volunteers’ benefits?
The German language, practical activities, German travel culture, German food culture, social contacts, dealing with people and participating in life at a hiking home.
Volunteers can also get to know southern Germany and its nature and history.
Pocket money may also be possible.
Editorial note: Pocket money was mentioned in the original listing. We have not been able to confirm whether this is still offered. Please ask the host directly about the current arrangement and conditions.
What to do in your free time
In winter, a groomed cross-country ski trail passes directly in front of the house. In summer, there are many hiking routes. Freiburg is not far away. There is also a lake about 4.5 km away, or volunteers can visit Freiburg and its outdoor swimming facilities.
Language
German and English.
Geographic environment
It is located directly on the Westweg, a long-distance hiking trail through the Black Forest.
How to get to the site
The hosts originally suggested travelling via Basel or Stuttgart airport, then continuing by train or bus towards Freiburg and Hinterzarten.
They usually picked volunteers up in Hinterzarten.
Editorial note: The host’s current official directions indicate that travellers using public transport can reach Hinterzarten or Titisee and continue approximately 4 to 5 km uphill on foot. Contact the hosts before travelling if you need information about arrival or collection.
Is there internet access?
Yes, but the connection was described as not very strong.
Contact details 📧🔍
Berghäusle Wanderheim is still operating, but its official website does not currently advertise a volunteer exchange programme. Please contact the hosts directly to ask whether they are currently accepting volunteers and to confirm all conditions before planning a stay.
- Current hosts: Petra and Michael Antczak
- Email: mail@berghaeusle-wanderheim.de
- Official website: Berghäusle Wanderheim
Explore more volunteering opportunities in Germany 🇩🇪
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Please pay attention!
I would like to share my experience during my stay at this location in July. The working conditions were not as expected. I was required to work 9 hours a day, five days a week, which exceeded the agreed-upon terms. Additionally, only one meal was provided per day, with no drinks included, and on one occasion, no food was offered at all. The treatment I received from the staff was unprofessional, and I felt there was a lack of respect throughout my stay.
I have video evidence documenting the tasks I was asked to perform, should further clarification be needed.
Dear Mashhour,
We are truly sorry to hear about the difficulties you faced during your volunteer experience. We understand that working 9 hours a day with only one meal provided, as well as the lack of communication from the staff, must have been frustrating and disappointing.
We always encourage clear communication between hosts and volunteers, and we recommend arranging a call to discuss expectations before committing to a stay. However, we realize that sometimes, even with the best preparation, issues can arise.
For more suggestions on how to ensure a safe volunteer experience, we recommend checking out this guide: http://voluntouring.org/2022/07/20/safe-volunteer-experience-guide-for-volunteers/
The Voluntouring team