Holiday apartment in Gasselte: Water, forest and special trails

Gasselte offers the Gasselterveld, paths through forest and heathland, as well as evidence of the region’s history.

Water and nature at the Gasselterveld

The Gasselterveld is a former sand extraction site. The water reaches a depth of around 50 metres in the middle; because of the cold, deep water and the loose sandy banks, only the shallower northeastern area is suitable for swimming. There are opportunities for picnicking on the beaches around the Gasselterveld. Blue markers also guide hikers to particularly beautiful viewpoints and spots.

Another water experience is offered by the very shallow swimming pond ’t Nije Hemelriek.

Hondsrug: treetop path and landscape

On the Hondsrug, the Boomkroonpad leads for 125 metres between the trees to a point 22.5 metres above the ground. The path can only be reached via stairs and is therefore not suitable for people with physical disabilities or for pushchairs.

The Zandgat is located on the Hamerlanden Weg, a deep pit in the Hondsrug created by sand extraction and now a valuable nature reserve. The Hamerlanden Weg also passes the Ravijn. This gorge was excavated more than a century ago because it was intended to enable the construction of a railway line through the Hondsrug with a station in Gasselte.

History around the Witte Kerkje

The Witte Kerkje stands on the edge of the high esch and was probably founded in the second half of the 13th century. Inside, it has a Mannerist pulpit dating from around 1630, with carved framing around the panels. During the summer months, the Witte Kerkje opens on Wednesday afternoons from 1 June.

The historic cemetery around the church in Gasselte is older than the church building; it is believed that burials took place there as early as before the year 800. In 2003, the cemetery was protected as a Rijksmonument.

Hiking and cycling around Gasselte

The 9-kilometre hiking route “Op pad rond Gasselte” starts and ends at Achter de Brinken 6e in Gasselte. The signposted WMD hiking route Gasselte is 3 kilometres long and leads through the Gasselte water extraction area on the Hondsrug, through forest, heathland and hay meadows. Square signs with blue-and-white lettering mark this route.

For cyclists, there is the approximately 18-kilometre, accessible Gasselterveld–Drouwenerzand cycling route. It leads through the forests around the Gasselterveld and offers views of bright blue water and white beaches. Mountain bikers can find a flow trail section near Gasselte along the N34 on the Gieten–Gasselte MTB route. The route can be started at the car park at ’t Nije Hemelriek, Houtvester Jansenweg 1, 9462 TB Gasselte.

Horse riding as a special focus for the day

Manege Gasselte is located beside the state forests of Drenthe and has direct access to more than 120 kilometres of riding trails. It offers qualified instruction in dressage, show jumping, riding and driving – both for recreational riders and for competitors.

Other places

Anloo, Schoonloo, Eexterzandvoort, Gieten, Nooitgedacht, Papenvoort, Anderen and Gieterveen.

Aa En Hunze