Black Forest Castle Ride Black Forest Germany The peaceful rural landscape surround the castle in Wuerttemberg offers endless opportunities for both exhilarating and relaxing trail rides across the high plateau of the "Obere Gaeu" with endless views towards the "Schwabish Alps", through the "Heckengaeu" and along the Nagold Valley, crossing over into the beautiful Black Forest of Germany. Enjoy long relaxed canters on the quality riding horses available, journey across the lush, green countryside of Germany along the way stopping for tasty lunches at traditional inns and refreshing picnics about the trail side. Progressive Ride (no camping) Short Getaway Center-based ride Meeting: Herrenberg Airport: Stuttgart/ Frankfurt Transfer: A transfer is available from Herrenberg train station or take a taxi on your own Riders: Min 4 riders Max 15 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

You can arrive any time you want on Day 1 but check in only starts from 5pm. We can provide you a transfer from the Herrenberg train station at no extra cost.

We offer different dates each year for people that want to join us for some exciting and exhilarating trail riding. The spring week is usually not as heavily-booked as the autumn week.

Sample Itinerary: Black Forest Weeks - subject to changes

This is a progressive ride including 4 riding days.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in the afternoon, get settled in and take a look around the castle manor, dinner together and overnight at the castle.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 2: Introductory Ride
After breakfast it's time for our first ride to get to know the horses. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the castle! In the afternoon we will go on a longer ride through extensive forests, meadows and fields.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 3: Ride to Besenfeld
Welcome to the Black Forest! Today you will enjoy a long (6-7 hours) and brisk rider over the heights of the Black Forest until we reach the village of Besenfeld, which is located at almost 1.000 meters above sea level and close to the town Freudenstadt. Here the world is still in order and the village and its surroundings radiates peace and tranquility. We will stay in a quaint and cozy inn for the next tow night.  (luggage will be transported by vehicle)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Country Inn in Besenfeld

Day 4: Murgtal Valley Ride
Today we continue our journey on a somewhat shorter ride west to the slopes of the "Murgtal" valley. For lunch we will stop at a nice hut above the village of Schwarzenberg. From here we will enjoy wonderful panoramic views over the "Murgtal" and the heights of the Black Forest. After the break we ride back to the village of Besenfeld where we enjoy a cold drink and relax for the rest of the day.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Country Inn in Besenfeld

Day 5: Ride to Enztal Valley
After breakfast we ride along the old wine road at an altitude of approx. 1.000 meters with excellent views. The scenery here is very beautiful - true undisturbed nature that is untouched by civilization. For lunch we stop at the quaint "Grünhütte" (green hut) which is located in a clearing in the woods, above the village of Wildbad. Enjoy a hearty lunch and don't miss out on the specialty - homemade German "Pfannkuchen" (pancakes) with local berries! Back in the saddle, we ride towards the  "Enztal" valley and enjoy a nice last gallop.  Later we will be transferred back to Castle Sindlingen, where we enjoy a farewell dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Hacking Week - subject to changes

This is a center-based ride with 5.5 riding days.
This week has a lot of flexibility for riders. You can participate daily in morning and afternoon hacks (trail rides) and a couple all day rides into the pretty and peaceful surroundings of the castle.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in the afternoon, get settled in and take a look around the castle manor, dinner together and overnight at the castle.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 2: Introductory Ride
Morning and afternoon trail rides along trails on and nearby the castle to get to know your horses today first.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 3: All Day Ride
All day ride with a tasty picnic lunch across the high plateau of the Gaeu or into the "Schoenbuch"
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 4: Half Day Rides
Morning and afternoon short hacks (2 hrs. each )
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 5: Gasthof Ride
All day ride with lunch at a "Gasthof".
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 6: High Plateau Ride
Separate morning and afternoon rides across exploring more of the high plateau.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 7: Departure
One final hack and departure at lunchtime.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Easter Hacking Week - subject to changes

This is a center-based ride with 3.5 riding days.

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Arrival in the afternoon/ early evening, get settled in and take a look around the castle manor, dinner together and overnight at the castle.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 2 (Monday): Introduction
This morning you go on a short ride to get to know your horse. We are back to the Castle for lunch. In the afternoon, we go for a longer trail ride.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 3 (Tuesday): Day Ride
Today we go on a long day-hack with a lunch break.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 4 (Wednesday): Two Trail 
We go on two 2-hour hacks: one in the morning and another one in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Castle Sindlingen

Day 5 (Thursday): Departure
One final hack and departure at lunchtime.
Meals included: Breakfast

                                                Jettingen area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	38	40	46	54	62	68	72	72	65	56	45	40
Average Low Temperature (°F)	29	29	34	39	46	52	56	56	50	44	36	31
Average High Temperature (°C)	3	4	8	12	17	20	22	22	18	13	8	4
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-2	-1	1	4	8	11	13	13	10	6	2	0
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	14	11	12	11	13	13	12	11	9	11	12	14

Source: NOAA
 

Seasons
The climate in this area of Germany is most pleasant.  The mild climate allows us to organize trip all year-round. However, the best time to visit is probably from May to mid-October as this time of the year is known for warm days and mild evenings.  Rains can occur anytime throughout the year, but in summer they are usually of short duration. 

Some recommendations: English riding attire of breeches and boots is correct, and a hard hat is recommended.  Be sure to bring sun protection, as well as a sweater or jacket for the evenings.  Rain is possible anytime, so you will need rain gear suitable for riding (NOT a billowing poncho!).  Dress at dinner at the castle is always casual, although you may wish to bring dressier attire for the larger cities if you are doing other touring before or after your ride.  We suggest that you bring a belt pack for carrying your camera, sunscreen, etc. while riding, and some leather thongs for tying your rain gear to the saddle when not in use.  Some of our riders like to bring along a "seat saver." Since many hotels in Europe do not provide soap in the rooms we suggest you bring your own!

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Comfortable riding breeches

High riding boots or short boots with half chaps

Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)- Some Helmets are available, however fit cannot be guaranteed. Best to bring your own.

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Rain coat/Wax jacket

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Light summer jacket

Comfortable shoes/sneakers

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra film or batteries

Sun glasses with strap

Average ratings from 5 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date alessandra brocca 3/15/2016 donna armstrong 11/2/2013 annika jarehem 2/20/2012 christine grimmett 6/15/2011 patrick michael hughes 6/13/2011

Accommodation
The Black Forest Ride is a progressive ride so you will be staying in different locations each night.
The Castle Hacking Week & Hacking Getaway are stationary rides where all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
Nights are spent at Castle Sindlingen and in a country inn in Besenfeld.

Black Forest Ride Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Nights 1 & 2: Castle Sindlingen
Nights 3 & 4: Country Inn in Besenfeld
Night 5: Castle Sindlingen



Castle Sindlingen
The castle is not one with turrets and towers, but rather a large and dignified rural manor house that is approximately 500 years old. It is surrounded by a (now dry) moat and lined with very old trees forming a part of the park which opens to the south and continues on to include the spacious riding arena. The castle in Wuerttemberg is situated on a ridge between the Schönbuch and the Black Forest. With its open and hilly terrain at almost 600 meters above sea-level, the view is superb and extends to the Swabian Alb to the south and the Black Forest to the west. This castle was once an agricultural manor house belonging to the Württemberg Royal Family. The impressive character of this place - designated as an authentic place of historical importance - has been retained nicely to the present day for you to enjoy and experience. You will be accommodated in the comfortable rooms and enjoy good home-cooking. The spacious rooms are all equipped with private baths.
There is no wireless internet in the rooms, but there are public areas where access is possible!

Room Occupancy
You can request a single room at no extra charge if it is available.



Meals
All meals are included while staying at the castle. The 2 dinners and 3 lunches while staying in Besenfeld (Black Forest Weeks only) need to be paid extra. Drinks are not included in this package.
Please note that the main meal of the day is lunch while dinner is lighter.

While staying at the castle:
Breakfast is served at 8:00 am.
Lunch is served at 12:30pm .
Dinner is at 6:30 pm unless you are taking a lesson in which case arrangements can be made for a later dinner.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to vegans.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Warmbloods, Irish Hunters
Pace:		Moderate with fast paced stretches, 4-5 hours | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3.5 to 4 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Weight:		Max 210 lbs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 15 riders

Black Forest Castle Ride: moderate pace with 4-7 hours in the saddle per riding day.

Horses
There are about 80 horses in the stables. The core of these comprises our own school-horses. The horses are at home in the dressage ring just as much as in the jumping arena. All our horses are reliable for hacking, especially the many horses from Ireland, which we regularly buy on our visits to the Emerald Isle.
There is a whole range of very good ponies available for the training of children. If you wish to bring your own horse to a course or on holiday, we have extra stabling to accommodate them.

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.