The Pfeil monument (470 m above sea level) is located between Thale and Friedrichsbrunn and is a memorial to Friedrich Wilhelm Leopold Pfeil (1783 – 1853).
Wilhelm Pfeil was a forestry practitioner, forest scientist and writer. From 1830, he was head of the Higher Forestry College in Eberswalde and published 24 books and 700 forestry treatises.
Despite his numerous publications and his knowledge of all the specialist forestry literature of the time, Pfeil placed the keen „observation of nature“ and learning to see above all theoretical knowledge: „The lack of observation can never be replaced by mere speculation.“
This led him to his famous maxim: „Ask the trees how they want to be raised, they will teach you better than the books.“
Nearby is the Dammbachhaus, the former hunting residence of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Prussia. In socialist times, it was also used by head of state Erich Honecker as a hunting lodge. The Dammbachhaus has now been completely renovated and serves as a guest house in the countryside with a magnificent view of the Brocken.
A good starting point is the parking lot at the Hexentanzplatz in Thale. Follow the path to the zoo and then hike approx. 3 km along a signposted path towards Dammbach-haus and the Pfeil monument.
