Gees between village history and the Drenthe landscape

Gees combines a historic village setting with traces of culture and landscapes in Drenthe. When planning a stay, you can choose what to focus on based on your own interests: village history, geological monuments, a walking route or a cycling tour. An event on fixed dates can also be a deciding factor when choosing when to travel.

Village history and historic building styles

The history of the esdorp (an old settlement built around common farmland) of Gees dates back to the Middle Ages. The place was first mentioned as Ghies in the early 13th century. Today, the old village centre is a protected village landscape. The Tellinghof on Oude Steeg offers a tangible connection to the historic village structure: it is the best-preserved of the former brinken, Gees’s historic village greens.

De Klinkenberg also tells the story of the area. The low mound with a shallow ditch is a motte, a castle mound dating from around 1225 to 1250. It is thought to have been used to control the road from Coevorden to Ruinen. This historical function is an interpretation, not a confirmed purpose. Along the Motte en Meanders route, signs tell walkers about the nature and history of the surrounding area; the restored motte is a highlight of the area.

Geological features and nature

Mekelermeer is one of the largest pingo remnants in the Drenthe landscape. The Province of Drenthe and the Municipality of Coevorden unveiled it on 1 October 2015 as Drenthe’s sixth geological monument. Anyone interested in its geological classification will find a different focus here than in the historic village and castle mound features.

Boswachterij Gees lies slightly higher than the surrounding grassland. On its eastern side, the view opens out across the fields. Many marsh birds breed and rest in the Geeserstroom, including bitterns, bluethroats, numerous ducks and water rails. Alongside the visible traces of history, the landscape and birdlife therefore offer distinct themes to explore during a stay.

Walking, cycling and event dates

The Cultuurpad Coevorden: Gees - Oosterhesselen passes over the Geeser-es and by a pingo remnant and the Jewish cemetery. A cycling option is the 18-kilometre Saksenspoor route. It passes places in Boswachterij Gees and the Drenthe villages of Meppen, Aalden, Gees and Oosterhesselen. The two options offer different experiences: the Cultuurpad combines a walk with landscape and cultural stops, while the Saksenspoor focuses on its designated cycling route and the villages along the way.

Gees in Wintersfeer takes place on 27 and 28 November 2026. Around 60 locations will once again open their doors to more than 100 participants. If you plan to attend, check the dates and programme before travelling.

Local dining and hotel planning

The brasserie at BIG Art & Garden offers an extensive lunch menu featuring local products and produce from its own vegetable garden. The menu may change; if this matters for your plans, check the current selection before visiting.

When looking for a hotel in Gees, it helps to decide first on the purpose of your trip and your preferred travel dates. If you are interested in cultural history, village history, De Klinkenberg and Motte en Meanders offer specific themes; if you would rather spend time outdoors, you can choose between a walking route, a cycling tour and nature observation. The dates of Gees in Wintersfeer provide a separate point of reference when planning your stay. This lets you choose the destination based on the programme that genuinely interests you, then look for suitable hotel offers for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Dalerveen, Benneveld, Meppen, Noord-Sleen, Dalerpeel, Wachtum, Wezuperbrug, Dalen

For the broader travel overview: Coevorden.