Historic Hebelhof Youth Hostel Feldberg to Close in 2025
The historic Hebelhof youth hostel on the Feldberg in Baden-Württemberg will close its doors by the end of October 2025. The DJH Baden-Württemberg, the organization managing the hostel, has decided to shut it down due to operational and structural challenges. The municipality of Feldberg expects a significant drop in overnight stays as a result.
The hostel, originally built as a hotel in 1907 and converted into a youth hostel in 1955, requires substantial renovation to meet current quality, safety, and energy-efficiency standards. The estimated cost of renovation is in the tens of millions, which the Youth Hostel Association cannot afford. The municipality criticizes insufficient funding from the state for renovations in rural areas.
The closure comes after years of declining overnight stays, from around 74,500 in the 1970s to around 26,800 in 2022. Inconsistent winters in the Black Forest and the shift of ski tourism to the Alps have contributed to this decline. The Youth Hostel Association plans to concentrate investments and location developments on other youth hostels in the region after the 'Hebelhof' closure.
Adding to the concern, the connection to public transport for the youth hostel is currently insufficient, according to the municipality. The municipality expects a total of 27,000 fewer overnight stays per year due to the closure.
The permanent closure of the Hebelhof Youth Hostel Feldberg will not only affect the local tourism industry but also the municipality's budget. The Youth Hostel Association's decision to focus on other locations in the region may help mitigate the impact, but the loss of this historic hostel is a significant blow to the Feldberg area.
