The Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo: A Pioneering Example of Conservation and Architecture
The Netherlands has 66+ wildlife crossings, including overpasses and ecoducts, to protect endangered European badgers and other species such as wild boar, red deer, and roe deer. The Veluwe, a 1,000 km² nature area in NW Europe, has 9 ecoducts, 50m wide on average, that allow wildlife to cross highways. The first two ecoducts on the Veluwe were built in 1988 across the A50 highway, and five others were built on existing highways, one across a two-lane road. Nearly 5,000 deer and wild boar used the two ecoducts on the A50 during a one-year period.
The world’s longest ecoduct-wildlife overpass, the Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo, is located in the Netherlands. Completed in 2006, this massive 50m wide and 800m long structure spans a railway line, business park, roadway, and sports complex. Monitoring is underway to assess the effectiveness of combining wildlife protection with urban development. The oldest wildlife passage in the Netherlands is the Zeist West-A 28, opened in 1988.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Exciting examples of conservation and architectural innovation, such as the Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo, exist, but it’s important for curious onlookers to be aware that their presence may discourage wildlife from utilizing these ecoducts.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo and surrounding nature reserve, Hilversum, Netherlands (OSM nature-reserve area reference; not a trailhead)
- Coordinates
- 52.2517, 5.169
- Access
- Goois Natuurreservaat lists walking and cycling in this nature area and allows leashed dogs in the reserve generally. Visitor Gooi recommends parking at Spanderslaan 1, 1217 DB Hilversum; do not park at the Goois Natuurreservaat office because it is private property with no visitor parking. An IVN walking guide says dogs are not allowed on the ecoduct itself.
- Admission
- The reserve manager’s visitor page does not list an entry ticket or admission charge; check current notices and follow marked routes.
- Time needed
- An IVN guide describes a 5.7 km walk taking over 1.5 hours, including two stairways; this is a surrounding-area walking route, not a duration for crossing the 800 m ecoduct alone. The route is unsuitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
- Opening hours
- Goois Natuurreservaat does not publish daily opening hours on its area page. Follow local signs and route restrictions; the ecoduct and reserve are outdoor nature areas, not staffed visitor attractions.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-30
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-30
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
Location
Use the zoom buttons or pinch to zoom. Use arrow keys to pan when the map is focused.
Interactive map loads when in view.
Explorer Passport
Next badge: Trail Scout
Unlocked after exploring 5 different unusual places.
0 of 5 places explored
Discover more from Unusual Places
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
this is great! coexistence in nature. I hope the wildlife don”t fall off the bridge and….Just been to Holland. pity I missed it
Such a bridge would be very useful for elephants in North Bengal, who are routinely run over by trains while trying to cross railway tracks.
What a great idea Can we have some of them built in the uk?
Need this in southern Illinois on highway 57