Natuurbrugroute Zanderij Crailoo

Circular walk of 7.1 km from Bussum-Zuid station past heathland, Spanderswoud and Europe's longest ecoduct — Zanderij Crailoo (800 m).

Nature that connects

The Nature Bridge Route (blue) is a compact 7.1-kilometer circular walk in the heart of the Gooi and Vecht region. You start and finish at Bussum-Zuid station — there is no need to drive. The route takes you from a forgotten stretch of heathland, through an old beech forest, to one of the most impressive natural structures in the Netherlands. Anyone who thinks they know the Gooi might be surprised here.

From campfire to deer path

You start your walk at Bussum-Zuid station and soon turn onto the forest paths towards the Fransche Kampheide. This small plot of heathland has a turbulent past: French soldiers once bivouacked here while attempting to capture Naarden Vesting. Now it is a quiet, open space where dogs are allowed to run free and the heather turns a beautiful purple in August. In spring, it smells of damp earth and the first blooms.

From the heath, you walk into the Spanderswoud, an old mixed forest with tall beeches and oaks. On the unpaved paths, you hear little more than birds and the soft crunch of leaves under your feet. On weekdays, this is a surprisingly quiet and undiscovered area, far from the hustle and bustle of the Randstad. Then you reach the highlight of the route: the Zanderij Crailoo Nature Bridge. At 800 meters long, this is one of the largest ecoducts in the country. Here you walk side by side with roe deer and foxes — they are always there, even if you might not spot them immediately. On the other side, the Bussumerheide opens up, a vast heath with views you wouldn't expect so close to a train station.

Just before returning to the starting point, you pass the Aardjesberg, a striking boulder clay hill that suggests you are in a different landscape. And those who look closely will see the Bussum Water Tower in the distance, rising above the trees like a silent sentinel.

Highlights along the way

1. Fransche Kampheide — A small heathland with a historic name and a special atmosphere. In August, the heather blooms purple. Dogs are allowed to run free here.
2. Spanderswoud — Old mixed forest with tall beeches, quiet paths, and abundant birdlife. Virtually deserted on weekdays — an undiscovered spot so close to the Randstad.
3. Zanderij Crailoo Nature Bridge — At 800 meters, one of the longest ecoducts in the Netherlands. Walkers and cyclists share the bridge with roe deer and foxes. A unique experience.
4. Bussumerheide — Vast heathland landscape on the other side of the nature bridge. In summer, plenty of butterflies; in autumn, purple heather as far as the eye can see.
5. Aardjesberg & Water Tower Bussum — A striking boulder clay hill and an iconic silhouette that gives the route an urban-historical touch.

The story behind the bridge

Zanderij Crailoo was created by decades of sand extraction, causing the area to become crisscrossed by roads and railway lines. In 2006, the wildlife bridge was opened as part of a larger restoration project: for the first time, animals such as the badger and the roe deer could move freely between Spanderswoud and Bussumerheide. The bridge has since become a symbol of how infrastructure and nature can also work together.

Tips and practical information

1. Starting point by train: Buitenpoort and Bussum-Zuid Station are located right at the starting point — you are there by train in minutes from Amsterdam or Utrecht. The perfect hassle-free day trip.
2. Dogs: Allowed, but dogs are not permitted on the Zanderij Crailoo Nature Bridge. Dogs may be off-leash on the Fransche Kampheide.
3. Marking: Blue marker arrows and signs along the route.
4. Accessibility: The route is largely unpaved and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
5. Seasonal tip: Most colorful in August (heather in bloom) and October (autumn colors in the Spanderswoud). Keep quiet on the heath during the breeding season (March–July).
6. Sustainable travel: Bussum-Zuid Station is the starting point — you can leave the car at home and head home immediately after the walk.