Holiday apartment in Gees: Nature, trails and village history

Gees shows its character particularly clearly on two levels: in the old village centre and in its long history. Today, the old village centre of Gees is a protected village landscape. As an esdorp, the history of the village dates back to the Middle Ages; at the beginning of the 13th century, the village was first mentioned as Ghies. When choosing a holiday apartment in Gees, you can therefore consider whether nature observation, cycling, hiking or local history should be the main focus.

Holiday apartment in Gees: nature, trails and history

Mekelermeer represents a distinctive type of landscape in the surrounding area. The province of Drenthe and the municipality of Coevorden unveiled Mekelermeer on 1 October 2015 as the sixth geological monument in Drenthe. Mekelermeer is also one of the largest pingo ruins in the landscape of Drenthe. The Gees Forestry lies slightly higher than the surrounding grassland; as a result, its eastern side offers a beautiful view across the fields.

The Geeserstroom adds another natural accent. It is a breeding and resting place for numerous marsh birds, including bitterns, bluethroats, many ducks and water rails. Those who choose accommodation in Gees based on opportunities for quiet nature observation will find a specific thematic focus of the landscape here.

Hiking and cycling with cultural stops

The Cultuurpad Coevorden: Gees - Oosterhesselen runs across the Geeser-es, past a pingo ruin and the Jewish cemetery. Along the Motte en Meanders route, information boards provide hikers with information about the nature and history of the area; the restored motte is one of the highlights. The 18-kilometre Saksenspoor cycling route passes the most beautiful places in the Gees Forestry as well as the characteristic Drenthe villages of Meppen, Aalden, Gees and Oosterhesselen. This makes it possible to include different routes in your travel plans according to the preferred balance of landscape, exercise and culture.

Traces of village and castle history

De Klinkenberg is a low elevation with a shallow moat and a motte, meaning a castle mound dating from around 1225 to 1250. De Klinkenberg must have served to control the road from Coevorden to Ruinen. At the Oude Steeg, the Tellinghof is the best-preserved of the former brinken, the historic village greens of Gees. Together with the protected old village centre, this creates a focus for excursions for anyone who wants to experience historical forms and the development of the village directly at specific locations.

Local products and a special November date

At BIG Art & Garden, the brasserie offers an extensive lunch menu featuring local products and produce from its own vegetable garden. Gees in Wintersfeer will take place on 27 and 28 November 2026; during the event, around 60 locations in Gees will once again open their doors to more than 100 participants. A stay in a holiday apartment in Gees can therefore be tailored more towards the landscape, historical discoveries, regional cuisine or this special date, depending on your interests.

Other places to choose from individually:Aalden, Noord-Sleen, Dalen, Dalerveen, Sleen, Oosterhesselen, Zwinderen, Benneveld

To the main travel overview: Coevorden.