Between a hike through forest, heathland and hay meadows, an exceptionally shallow bathing lake and historical traces on the Hondsrug, Gasselte offers several focal points for a stay. When planning, it is worth looking at the specific differences: route length, swimming conditions and whether you want to focus on being active or on local history.
Water and picnic spots
Gasselterveld was formed by earlier sand extraction and is about 50 metres deep in the middle. Cold, deep water and loose sandy banks limit swimming to the shallower northeastern area. There are also picnic spots on the beaches around Gasselterveld. ’t Nije Hemelriek is a separate bathing spot: the lake is very shallow and particularly suitable for children. If water depth is a factor in your choice, this difference makes the two places easier to compare than a general recommendation for all of Gasselterveld.
Walking: three or nine kilometres
The signposted WMD Gasselte walking route is three kilometres long. It passes through the Gasselte water extraction area on the Hondsrug, as well as through forest, heathland and hay meadows. The route is marked with square signs bearing blue-and-white lettering. A longer loop is “Op pad rond Gasselte”: the nine-kilometre route starts and ends at Achter de Brinken 6e in Gasselte. You can therefore factor the distance directly into your plans while choosing between the landscapes described on the WMD route and a loop that starts and ends at the same address.
There are also wayfinding markers for walkers around Gasselterveld: blue markers lead to particularly beautiful viewpoints and spots. These paths offer another way to focus on the area around the water instead of choosing one of the two route lengths mentioned above.
Cycling, mountain biking and horse riding
The accessible Gasselterveld–Drouwenerzand cycling route is 18 kilometres long. It runs through the forests around Gasselterveld and offers views of light blue water and white beaches. For mountain bikers, the Gieten–Gasselte route includes a flow trail section near Gasselte along the N34. The ride can start at the car park at ’t Nije Hemelriek: Houtvester Jansenweg 1, 9462 TB Gasselte.
Horse riding is another way to explore the area. Manege Gasselte is located by the Drenthe state forests and connects directly to more than 120 kilometres of horse-riding trails. It offers qualified instruction in dressage, show jumping, riding and driving—for recreational riders and competition participants. Alongside the walking and cycling routes, you can therefore choose from a network of riding trails and lessons in several disciplines.
Landscape and history on the Hondsrug
Two traces of the landscape’s history lie along the Hamerlanden path. The Zandgat is a deep pit in the Hondsrug created by sand extraction and is now a valuable nature reserve. The path also passes the Ravijn, a gorge excavated more than a century ago. It was intended to enable the construction of a railway line through the Hondsrug, with a station in Gasselte. Sand extraction and the railway plans of the time stand side by side here as distinct chapters in the local landscape’s history.
The Witte Kerkje and its cemetery also offer an insight into the history of the village. The church stands on the edge of the high Esch and was probably founded in the second half of the 13th century. Its furnishings include a Mannerist pulpit dating from around 1630, with panels framed by carved surrounds. The historic cemetery around the church is older than the church building; burials there before the year 800 are believed to have taken place. In 2003, the cemetery was designated a Rijksmonument, a protected national monument.
The Boomkroonpad on the Hondsrug offers a different view of the landscape: the path is 125 metres long and leads between the trees to a point 22.5 metres above the ground. Access is important to bear in mind when planning: the Boomkroonpad is accessible only by stairs and is therefore unsuitable for people with physical disabilities or for pushchairs.
Discover more destinations: Vredenheim, Balloo, Papenvoort, Gieten, Eext, Nooitgedacht, Annen, Rolde.
For the main travel overview: Aa En Hunze.
