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 permits walking and cycling in Zanderij Crailoo; dogs are generally required to be leashed in the reserve. Visit Gooi recommends parking at Spanderslaan 1, Hilversum; the nearby reserve-office grounds are private and have no visitor parking. The IVN route guide says dogs are not allowed on the ecoduct itself. Follow posted habitat and route signs; the map marker is an area reference, not a trailhead.
- Admission
- The reserve manager and Visit Gooi list no admission ticket or fee. Check current notices and use marked public routes.
- Time needed
- An IVN guide describes a 5.7 km walk of more than 1.5 hours with two stairways. That is a surrounding-area route, not the time needed to cross the 800 m ecoduct; the described route is unsuitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
- Best season
- The reserve and tourism authority publish no preferred season. IVN notes winter-flowering gorse, but this is an observation, not a recommendation. Check weather and path conditions.
- Opening hours
- No daily visitor hours are published by the reserve manager. This is an outdoor nature area, not a staffed attraction; follow local signs and any temporary route restrictions.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-30
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-20
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
Location
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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