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Open in three segments, and still under development, the Barnegat Branch Trail runs for nearly 12 miles through sandy and pine-canopied forest and New Jersey neighborhoods — with improvements and extensions in the works to ultimately make a continuous 16 miles path between Toms River and Barnegat Township.
About the Route
The Barnegat Branch Trail is open in 3 segments, the longest two of which are connected by an unimproved, trail route over gravel and dirt and a short segment of road.
In Beachwood (1 mile)
The Barnegat Branch Trail’s northern endpoint is at Atlantic City Blvd & Admiral Ave (Beachwood), near the town’s border with Toms River. From here, about 1 mile of paved path takes the trail south to 500 Berkeley Ave, through the borough of Beachwood. Also known as the Beachwood Borough Trail, this segment is the shortest of the three open as of 2024.
Between Mayville Township and Lacey Township (3.1 miles)
South of Beachwood, the trail resumes at Segle Ave and E Railroad Ave in Mayville. Heading south, the trail hugs Railroad Avenue for 0.5 miles before heading into a more forested setting tucked behind quiet neighborhoods. After roughly 1 mile, the trail enters the wooded acres of Cedar Creek Park, an expansive forested park. Coming to Cedar Creek, the trail comes to an old railway relic called The Trestle. The renovated, 150-foot bridge provides an easy crossing over the creek for trail users, but some features of the original Trestle were left in place as a reminder of the railroad’s important place in the area’s history. The Trestle abuts Dudley Park, a neighborhood park popular for local fun from cookouts to kayaking. After crossing the bridge, the trail continues for 0.5 miles south to William Hebrew Park, another community greenspace, and the end of this segment of trail.
Trailusers can, however, connect to the southern portion of trail by taking Railroad Ave 0.25 miles south, where an unimproved trail segment proceeds another 1.7 miles to the southern segment between Forked River and Barnegat Township.
Between Forked River and Barnegat Township: 7.6 miles
The southernmost segment resumes at Musket Road and Railroad Avenue (Forked River). Continuing south, the trail takes Railroad Avenue again for 0.8 miles behind a segment of big box stores. After crossing Lacey Road, the trail leaves the street for about a mile, passing Lake Barnegat, offering beautiful views. After about a mile of off-road trail, the trail finds Route 9, which it runs adjacent to for 2.1 miles south, crossing the Forked River twice on converted rail bridges. Reaching Waretown, a small town which offers a convenience options for refreshments, the trail leaves the road to trek through 3.1 miles of serene coastal forest. The Barnegat Branch Trail comes to its southern endpoint at 104 Railroad Ave (Barnegat).
Trail History
The Barnegat Branch Trail follows the former route of the Toms River Railroad. The railway segment that today houses the trail opened in 1872 as an extension to Waretown from the line’s former terminus in Toms River. The line was extended to Barnegat in 1893, and service was folded into the Central Railroad of New Jersey network. Passenger service ended in the 1950s and freight service in 1977. The first section of the rail-trail opened in 2007.
The Barnegat Branch Trail runs between Atlantic City Blvd & Admiral Ave (Beachwood) and 104 Railroad Ave (Barnegat) with parking available in Barnegat.
Parking is also available:
There are numerous parking options along this route, see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
We started at the south end in Barnegat. We bikes the first 7 miles. There is a lot of opportunities between mile maker 2.5 and 3.5 to eat, drink, restroom.
2013 New Jersey Revised StatutesTitle 39 - MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONSection 39:1-1 Vehicle" ...excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks or motorized bicycles.
Wonderful ride. Follow the pipeline in between the 1st section. You ride on grass for a bit, and then you come to the 2nd trail head. People were friendly. I rode on a Saturday, and was surprised that it wasn't crowded. Easy trail
This is a great trail to walk or run. Biking is fun too to cover longer distances, but it is ideal for walking. Not sure why they mention asphalt and the ability to in-line skate as there’s basically no way to do it since the surface is not paved - a mix of stone, sand and pine needle leaves. The trail has beautiful scenery of the local pine trees and is well shaded! I remember the old trail - what an upgrade this is. Lots of room and space!
FYI I was stopped along this trail by a ranger and was told no electric vehicles on the trail and was told to take the road. I’m always very very respectable to everyone I pass along the trails. This is very disappointing as I was using this trail to stay off the main road and wanted to go see the light house.
I have an electric trike I use to shop & ride due to mobility issues & was hoping to use the trail to avoid riding on Rt 9 to get from Sunrise to Walmart. What I found was the trail not only ended Musket Rd, which I expected, but it had a guard rail with a hard to navigate narrow mount to exit the trail. That necessitated me to get off & try to push my trike up around the mound & guard rail. The rest of the trail from Lacey Rd to the guard rail was nice.
The Barnegat Branch Trails are fantastic jogging and running trails.
My family has been enjoying them for years.
I recently received a fit bit with a GPS as a gift for running.
However, the GPS and the mile markers on the trail are not jiving.
The GPS seems to be indicating the trail is longer than the mile markers are stating. Not sure if the GPS is inaccurate or the mile markers are somehow not exact? Anyone else with a similar experience? Otherwise, the trails are just perfect for walking, jogging or running.
Riding a recumbent trike, starting in Lochiel Park. Rode north to the end (Lacey Rd). Rode to the southern end (Burr St), before returning to Lochiel Park.
Southern section has few crossings, lots of shade, and is further from rt 9. Expect to return, but only because of this section.
Middle section is practically on top of rt. 9. And the constant road & driveway crossing are a big deterrent for returning for more rides.
An outhouse in Lockiel Park, plus another one north one north Country Ln.
My friend and I rode the trail from Railroad Avenue in Forked River to what we thought was the end of the trail in Barnegat. We thought it was the end because there was a zero marker and it said End. However, we later learned after looking at the map that the trail actually went farther. I guess is was marked as the End because there's a break in the trail there. The distance we rode was about 6.5 miles one way. This trail is best used by commuters or beginner riders. The surface is mostly tight-packed gravel. There are several crossings, most not heavily trafficked streets. The scenery is not much to speak of, as it flanks busy roads most of the time. This makes it good for commuting. The last 2.5 miles we rode were the most scenic, going through a forested area. I wouldn't recommend this trail if you're looking for scenery and want to feel removed from the hustle and bustle.
As others have noted, this trail isn't complete. And before you head out on it, it's hard to know exactly which parts are complete and which aren't. There's even an impassible stream right in the middle of the trail. It's almost shallow enough to wade across, but we had a pet trailer with us that wouldn't have made it. There's a broken down railroad trestle that one might walk across if he/she didn't have bikes and pets to worry about. The only way around the thing is to take a detour down to route 9 and ride on the street for a quarter mile or so, at parts there's no shoulder and cars zip past just inches from your bikes.
Sections of the trail are tall grass with two sets of tire ruts, some sections are fairly deep sand that's really difficult to bike on, and some sections are very nice shallow gravel. As the trail crosses certain streets, some of these intersections don't even have ramps for bikes yet. One must hop the curb to continue on the trail.
I thought some of the finished sections might be paved, but only very small portions are paved around certain intersections and when the trail goes through shopping areas.
But still, overall, it's a fun ride with a lot of potential. Long, scenic, and in a great location.
The completed section described by the previous reviewer is confirmed. Rode it today on my bike. Tried to use the map to take streets to pick up the next section north but discovered part of Locker St. is closed so had to navigate back out to Hwy 9. Would be nice if we could get suggested work-arounds on trails like this that aren't completed yet. Also, when I did pick up the trail north again, you should know that the last segment (about a half-mile) that ends in Beachwood was terrible with roots and grass everywhere. Very uncomfortable on a bike.
On the map on TrailLink.com, it shows that the upper portion of the Barnegat Bay Trail stops at Maryland Ave. However, it extends all the way to Segle Ave. in Bayville. I just biked this portion yesterday and today from William J. Dudley Park to Segle Ave (All Berkeley Twp.) This should be updated soon as this may turn people off. People want a reliable computer site to refer to.
When completed this trail will have it all. Plenty of parking, a nice smooth wide trail, historical markers and maps, restrooms, and even a convenience store or two are just a few of the amenities. However, unfortunately it's not complete.
Coming from the south the trail is only about six miles. This may be great for the locals however would not entice anyone to drive to the trail.
I want to offer my thanks for the planners who are striving to make this a "showcase trail". The nice long parking spaces allowing those of us with rear bike carriers to easily fit in the spot is very much appreciated. Excellent job! Designing the trail to be wide enough to make passing enjoyable instead of a challenge is another nice find. Picnic tables, restrooms, and cool little historical plaques are yet another detail not to be overlooked.
I look forward to riding this trail when it's complete!
Enjoy the ride, it goes by fast!
The trail was surprisingly scenic. The gravel was soft in spots but the entire trail was level. There were interesting historic markers that helped put the general area into historical context. Most of the trail traverses a wildlife refuge and the bridges go over a watershed area with beautiful waterbirds on the shore lines. We biked the full length (7.4 miles) and did the return. The only part that was a little disappointing was the fact that the trail goes right in front of a new strip mall and townhouse development. I guess its okay if you need a Dunkin Donuts break during your ride. lol Part of the trail opens up to a field of brightly colored wildflowers in a rainbow of colors flanking the trail, which was quite beautiful. There were also a few side trails that we didn't take due to time constraints, but we will most likely return to do those as well. All in all, a pleasant interesting ride. P.S.-I don't know what was planted along the trail, but on various part of the trail it had the most amazing spicey smell....like cinammon or cloves.
Barnegat Branch Trail continues to make progress. Coming from the south, the trail has been extended from the Waretown border to almost Lacey Road. From the trail head in Barnegat to Lacey Road is almost 7 miles. Rails to Trails has done a great job on all 4 of the bridges in this section of Lacey.
With its proximity to the Jersey Shore and quaint, cottage-style houses, many of which were originally built as summer homes, Beachwood is a nice town in eastern New Jersey. Unfortunately, many of the streets lack sidewalks, making walking and cycling difficult and dangerous. However, in recent years local officials have taken steps to rectify this problem by constructing several trails and boardwalks, the longest being the Beachwood Borough Trail. Constructed on a section of the defunct Barnegat Branch Line, the paved rail trail is a little over a mile long and bisects the middle of town, stretching from the intersection of Atlantic City Blvd. and Admiral Ave. south to a point along Railroad Ave. This central location provides easy access for most borough residents and allows them to avoid unecessarily short car trips, as well as the need to walk along busy Routes 9 and 166. Most of the trail is tree-lined, providing welcome shade from summer heat, and there is a nice pocket park on the island where the trail crosses Route 9. The only downsides are the lack of benches, and the fact that the pavement on the section of the trail between Routes 166 and 9 is degrading and is in bad need of repair. Users should also exercise caution when crossing Route 9, which is heavily traveled and is notorious for speeding motorists. Nonetheless, the trail is a great asset in car-friendly Jersey and could one day be extended further north to Toms River and south to join the Barnegat Branch Trail, forming a continuous greenway on a densely populated section of the Shore.
Wonderful beginner bike trail. Smell is pleasant plants, trail is flat and wide, and offers a second trail (unfinished) for those wishing a bumpy trail ride. If you are seeking exercise, you may need do this twice at a fast pace. Local streets offer additional mileage to travel.
Rails-To-Trails has done a great job in Barnegat and Waretown. I was very impressed with the trail when it was first started. As time went on the trail only got better. From the safety aspect of the road crossings, the addition of tree and shrub identification, park benches, to the history of the rail road being displayed at various points along the trail. Troop 23 Eagle Scouts have uncovered the old turntable in Barnegat, near the intersection of the Trail and Rose Hill Road. The Eagle Scouts also had cleaned up the old Tuckerton RR Coal Dump prior to the rail trail being built. This Coal Dump is located about 0.3 mile south, of the start of the south trail head in Barnegat, near the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Brook Street. The newer sections of the trail in Waretown should be completed soon. These newer sections leave the wooded area of Waretown and begin to parallel Route 9 through to Lacey Township.
We walked this trail last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very well maintained with lovely fall foliage. Its a nice easy trail to walk and bike. There are a few historic sites noted on the walk and tree identification. It would be great to have a port-a-potty somewhere along the trail. We entered at Barnegat trailhead and walked to Waretown and back. Only one picnic table on trail and that is very near Waretown. There are benches along the trail if you need to rest. The trail is not crowded and bikers or walkers looking for an easy trail will enjoy it.
Greetings:
My previous post to this page had not been published, perhaps due to reporting disappointing information about the political climate in Lacey Twp. toward completion of this trail.
Well today I have some good news! While driving through Bayville/ Berkley Twp., NJ I saw crews at work paving the old railroad right of way including a very nice and safe road crossing at the Central Parkway crossing.
I went to Asbury Park Press ( app.com ) and behold archived was a report on funding of this improvment.
As reported in my previous post, the trail in Beachwood is protected and improved, Beachwood and Bayville adjoin each other so the prospect of a nice trail through two towns appears good.
In Lacey Township. prospects for completing the trail are more gloomy. The Right-of Way is un-obstructed but the sandy soils of the Pine Barrens make biking this stretch an iffy proposition.
Lacey Twp. still seeks to make a roadway out of the trail, Lacey owns the R.O.W.
The trail runs from Burr Street to Wells Mills and totals just over 3 miles. It's fairly level, mostly shaded, cooler than running or biking out in the sun. It's not worth driving very far to get to yet. Once it's complete to Toms River it will be a great long scenic ride. At the moment it's a pleasant local trail that's a welcome option from running/biking by the roadside. There's parking at each end, and it's never super crowded.
Length noted on the Jew Jersey Shore.com site states 14 miles and trailink.com states 2 miles; do we know if when this trail will be complete? Rather not drive down the parkway to exit 69 to bike just 2 miles. Thanks.
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