In 1780, Goethe wrote one of his most beautiful lyrical poems "Wandrers Nachtlied" here. Goethe wrote the lines, which later became world-famous, on the wall of the refuge, which was subsequently given the name Goethehäuschen.

One day before his last birthday, Goethe went to the little hut to remember the lines he had written more than 50 years earlier: "Above all the peaks is peace, In all the treetops you hardly feel a breath; The little birds are silent in the forest. Just wait, soon you too will rest."

The hut is freely accessible all year round. Inside, hikers will find Gothe's poem in 15 languages, complemented by creative doodles.

The Goethehäuschen stands on Ilmenau's local mountain, the Kickelhahn. At 861 meters and with a 24-meter-high observation tower, it is a landmark of the town.

Hikers can reach the Goethehäuschen via the 20-kilometer Goethe hiking trail.