Gasterse Duinen and De Burgvallen Loop

The walk is a compact, mostly level loop of about 5 km (3.1 miles) with roughly 0 m (0 ft) of elevation gain, set in the rolling heath-and-sand landscape of the Gasterse Duinen on the edge of the Drentsche Aa stream-valley region in Drenthe. Even though the route is short and rated easy, it feels varied: open heather fields, pale sand “dune” ridges, pockets of pine and oak woodland, and wide views that change quickly with wind and light.

Getting to the start (car + public transport) **Best start landmark / nearest known address:** the most common trailhead is the parking area by the prehistoric dolmen **Hunebed D10** in the Gasterse Duinen. A widely used navigation point is **“Parkeerplaats Gasterse Duinen” on/near Oudemolenseweg, 9466 PB Gasteren (Netherlands)**, close to the road between **Gasteren** and **Oude Molen**. From the parking area you enter the reserve via a **cattle grid** (wildrooster) and pick up the signed walking paths. ([shirshendusengupta.com](https://shirshendusengupta.com/blog/complete-guide-prehistoric-dolmens-hunebedden-drenthe-groningen-netherlands-route-map-information-tips-and-tricks?utm_source=openai))

By car: drive to Gasteren (Drenthe) and follow signs toward Gasteren–Oude Molen / Oudemolenseweg; the dolmen parking area is set up specifically for visitors and is the simplest place to leave a car. ([drenthe.nl](https://www.drenthe.nl/locaties/1913564080/hunebed-d10?utm_source=openai))

By public transport: a practical option is to travel to Assen or Groningen and take bus 51 (weekday service) to Gasteren, then walk about 1 km (0.6 mi) to the dolmen parking/trailhead. (If bus times don’t line up, local demand transport such as a regional taxi is sometimes suggested for this area.) ([wandelmagazine.nu](https://wandelmagazine.nu/artikel/wandelroute-gasteren-gasterse-duinen?utm_source=openai))

What the loop is like underfoot (and how to navigate it) Expect a mix of: - **Firm sandy tracks** and narrower footpaths across heath - Short stretches that can be **wet or puddled in rainy periods**, especially in the northern part of the area—waterproof footwear can be the difference between “easy stroll” and “soggy socks.” ([wandelmagazine.nu](https://wandelmagazine.nu/artikel/wandelroute-gasteren-gasterse-duinen?utm_source=openai))

Navigation is straightforward because this loop is commonly waymarked (often described as a purple-marked route). If you want a digital backup, load the route in HiiKER and keep an eye on your position where multiple sandy paths braid together across the open heath.

Kilometer-by-kilometer expectations (approximate) **0.0–1.0 km (0.0–0.6 mi): heath, sand, and the cattle grid entrance** From the parking area, you’ll step over/through the **cattle grid** into open country. The first section quickly introduces the character of the Gasterse Duinen: **heather**, scattered trees, and pale sand underfoot. This is also where you’ll notice fencing—parts of the reserve are managed with grazing animals to keep the heath open. ([drenthe.nl](https://www.drenthe.nl/locaties/1913564080/hunebed-d10?utm_source=openai))

~0.2–0.5 km (0.1–0.3 mi) detour/feature: Hunebed D10 Very early on, you can visit Hunebed D10, a small, partially incomplete prehistoric stone tomb. It’s close enough to the start that it works as either a quick first stop or a final stop on the way back. ([themodernantiquarian.com](https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/123593/fieldnotes/d10-gasteren?utm_source=openai))

1.0–3.5 km (0.6–2.2 mi): “dunes,” open heath, and big-sky walking This middle portion is the heart of the loop: broad, open heathland with low rises of wind-shaped sand (the “duinen”). In late summer, the heather can be especially striking, and the openness makes this section feel bigger than its distance. ([themodernantiquarian.com](https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/123593/fieldnotes/d10-gasteren?utm_source=openai))

3.5–5.0 km (2.2–3.1 mi): woodland edges and return toward the dolmen parking The final stretch typically threads back via slightly more sheltered paths—woodland margins and scrub—before rejoining the approach tracks near the