The Ibiza of the North or blue lagoon, the swimming lakes Nije Hemelriek and Gasselterveld are praised by many people. And since influencers have also discovered the area, tourists and day trippers know where to find this place.
In autumn and winter it is quiet around the swimming lakes, but on a beautiful summer day it is so busy that you can walk over the heads. And that causes problems. Reporter Ineke Kemper went to perhaps the most beautiful spot in Drenthe for Expeditie Nederland to find out what price the Gasselterveld pays for tourism.
Forest ranger Linde Veldhoen understands very well that people flock to ‘her’ swimming holes. “It’s beautiful here too,” but sometimes she holds her breath. After a beautiful summer day, the beach is littered with trash, cars are parked everywhere and smoldering barbecues increase the risk of wildfires.
Roelf Wind from the Wedeka employment agency also sees that a lot of waste is left behind. Together with his men he keeps the area surrounding the swimming pools clean and he is still amazed by what he sometimes finds.
Wedeka’s men arrive every morning after sunrise to clean up the mess. And two well-known rappers have been called in to make a song about visitors having to clean up their mess.
The Drenthe Safety Region is also sometimes concerned. Firefighter Edwin Veldman explains that if visitors just park their car somewhere, the emergency services can no longer reach the lake. That is why various measures have been taken. In the summer there is paid parking and parking attendants will show you your spot. When the parking lot is full, the exit on the N34 will close.
You can see it in this episode of Expeditie Nederland.