Huts around Martinroda offer access to the scenic Thuringian Forest, providing respite for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The area features notable mountains like Schneekopf and Kickelhahn, which host several key hiking huts. Martinroda is known for its natural landscape and historical sites, including those connected to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. These locations serve as stops for longer treks, offering both nourishment and places to rest.
Last updated: July 1, 2026
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The Neue Gehlberger Hütte is located on the 978-meter-high Schneekopf mountain and is the highest-altitude serviced hut in Thuringia. It offers a cozy hiking hostel with shared rooms and a restaurant serving traditional Thuringian cuisine. Opening Hours: The restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – longer in summer. Breakfast for guests is served from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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The simple late baroque functional building was hastily erected in the summer of 1783 to serve as a guest house for Karl August and his hunting party. Building materials were obtained from the ruins of Ilmenau Castle and the surrounding forest. Goethe often spent time here as a guest. The museum's exhibition is well worth seeing because it offers insights into the hunting habits and social life of the Weimar court. You can find further information and opening times here: https://www.ilmenau.de/de/freizeit/museen-und-börsen/museum-jagdhaus-gabelbach/.
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The Neue Gehlberger Hütte is open Thursday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday are rest days. I can only recommend taking a break here. The offer is very good. The proximity to the parking facility at the Güldenen Brücke causes a large number of visitors, mostly on weekends and when the weather is nice.
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The Kickelhahn is a historic tower above Ilmenau, when the weather is nice you have a wonderful view of the Schneekopf, the same mountains and the Blessberg
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It was probably here that Goethe wrote his poem "Over all summits is peace" in pencil on a wooden wall on the upper floor on the evening of September 6, 1780. The picturesque shed is therefore of great cultural and historical importance.
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Very interesting. You can also explore beautiful hiking trails there. The kikelhan can also be explored at a few meters above sea level.
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Ilmenau's local mountain with its beautiful tower
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Around Martinroda, you'll find a variety of huts, including historical cabins like the Goethe Cabin on Kickelhahn, serviced hiking hostels such as the Neue Gehlberger Hütte on Schneekopf, and museum huts like the Gabelbach Hunting Lodge Museum. These offer options for rest, food, or cultural experiences during your hikes.
Yes, the Goethe Cabin on Kickelhahn is a prominent historical site. It's famous for a verse written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on its wall in 1780. The original cabin burned down but was rebuilt true to the original, allowing visitors to experience a piece of literary history.
The Neue Gehlberger Hütte on Schneekopf is a serviced hut that provides shared rooms for overnight stays. It also features a restaurant serving traditional Thuringian cuisine, typically open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours in summer. Breakfast is available for guests.
Huts like the Neue Gehlberger Hütte on Schneekopf, located on the 978-meter-high Schneekopf mountain, offer impressive views due to their elevated position. Additionally, the Kickelhahn mountain, home to the Goethe Cabin, also features the Kickelhahn Tower, providing panoramic views over the Thuringian Forest.
Many of the huts and surrounding areas are considered family-friendly. The Goethe Cabin on Kickelhahn and the Gabelbach Hunting Lodge Museum are both categorized as family-friendly. The museum, in particular, offers an exhibition that can be engaging for families interested in local history.
The area around Martinroda's huts is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, such as the 'Hexenplatz – Veronikaberg Shelter loop', or explore gravel biking routes like the 'View of the Autobahn Bridge – Gera Cycle Path near Plaue'. For more challenging rides, there are MTB trails, including the 'Upper Sieglitz Pond – Burnt Stone Tunnel loop'. You can find more details on these activities in the Running Trails around Martinroda, Gravel biking around Martinroda, and MTB Trails around Martinroda guides.
At the Neue Gehlberger Hütte on Schneekopf, you can enjoy traditional Thuringian cuisine. Specialties include roast venison and 'Finkeböff' (potatoes in their skins with roasted ham, onions, and scrambled eggs), making it a culinary highlight after a hike.
The huts are generally accessible throughout the year, but opening hours for restaurants and accommodations can vary. The Neue Gehlberger Hütte, for instance, has extended restaurant hours during the summer. It's always advisable to check current opening hours before planning your visit, especially for overnight stays or specific meal times.
Yes, the Gabelbach Hunting Lodge Museum offers a unique cultural experience. Its exhibition provides insights into the hunting habits and social life of the Weimar court, with connections to figures like Goethe who often spent time there.
Visitors appreciate the combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and the welcoming atmosphere of the huts. The opportunity to enjoy regional specialties after a hike, the impressive views from elevated locations, and the chance to connect with literary history at places like the Goethe Cabin are frequently highlighted.
Absolutely. The Kickelhahn Tower, located near the Goethe Cabin on Kickelhahn, is a popular viewpoint from 1855 offering great views. The Neue Gehlberger Hütte on Schneekopf also provides impressive vistas from its high-altitude location.


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