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9.9 km
~2 hrs 0 min
15 m
Loop
“A gentle, mostly level loop near Gasselte drifts between whispering pines and wide heath skies, best savoured at your own pace.”
A flat, easy-going loop of roughly 10 km (6.2 mi) with essentially 0 m (0 ft) of climbing, this walk is all about quiet woodland edges, open heath/field views, and the distinctive Drenthe landscape around Gasselte / Gasselterveld in the northeastern Netherlands. Expect mostly level, well-made paths with a few sandy or softer stretches after wet weather.
- By car: Aim for Gasselte (Drenthe, NL) and follow signs toward Gasselterveld. A practical “nearest landmark” to navigate to is Gasselterveld (open recreation/nature area near Gasselte)—there are typically small parking areas and trail access points around the edges of the woods and open ground. Once you know the exact trailhead pin, you can refine this to the closest parking pull-in. - By public transport: The usual approach is train to Assen or Groningen, then a regional bus toward Gasselte. From the village, you may have a short walk to reach the forest edge and the start of the loop. Check the day-of schedule and last return bus times before committing, especially on Sundays/holidays.
If you share the lon/lat for the trailhead, I can convert it to the nearest known address or named landmark precisely.
You’ll want comfortable walking shoes (trail runners are fine in dry conditions), and if it has rained recently, consider footwear with a bit more grip for sandy/soft patches. For navigation, load the route in HiiKER and download it for offline use—this area can have multiple intersecting tracks that look similar.
Because the elevation change is negligible, pacing is simple: most hikers finish in 2–3 hours depending on stops and surface conditions.
- Woodland character: Expect mixed stands—often pine and other conifers in plantation-style blocks, with pockets of birch and oak around edges and wetter spots. In breezy weather, conifer stands can be noticeably louder and more sheltered than open sections. - Open areas (Gasselterveld): These tend to feel bigger than the map suggests—wide skies, long sightlines, and a more “heath/field” atmosphere. On sunny days there’s less shade here, so bring water even though the hike is short. - Seasonal highlights: - Spring: fresh green understory, birdsong peaks. - Summer: warmer, drier sand; heather may begin to color later in the season depending on exact habitat. - Autumn: leaf color at woodland margins; more slippery roots and damp sand. - Winter: crisp, open views; muddy patches can linger in shaded forest.
If you provide the exact trailhead coordinates (or a GPX link), I can pin the start to the nearest named parking area/street address, and I can also
Surfaces
Unknown
Cobblestone
Sand
Grass
Unpaved
User comments, reviews and discussions about the Staatsbos and Gasselterveld Loop, Netherlands.
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