Elmwood Park Trails and Maps

1654 Reviews



Looking for the best trails around Elmwood Park?

Explore the best rated trails in Elmwood Park, NJ. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the D & H Canal Linear Park and Norwalk River Valley Trail. With more than 108 trails covering 736 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Recent Trail Reviews

Vanderbilt Motor Parkway

Vanderbilt Motor Parkway

May, 2023 by lil13mac

I rode it with my bike it was good ride.I will be doing it again. It was clean and well maintained. A lot of walkers.

Manasquan Reservoir Trail

Peaceful

April, 2023 by emfref_tl

I hiked this on 4/22/23 ! It is a really nice!

Pequest Wildlife Management Area Trail

Not Enjoyable on a Bike

April, 2023 by 5m5qvjs64m

Might be a bit easier hiking, but the trail itself is rather bumpy riding a bike. Starting from the Hatchery / finish parking lot, heading southwest towards Buttzville it’s a slight decline as it parallels US-46. Only one road crossing before the end of the trail. The trail officially ends at an old rail bridge crossing, though the right of way looks to continue further. Heading northeast from the Hatchery parking lot it’s pretty flat and not nearly as bumpy, but the trail becomes increasingly narrow and overgrown. I wasn’t able to make it to the end due to all the thorn bushes in the way. Would be a nice short round trip if the trail was better maintained / a smoother ride, but I probably won’t go out of my way to ride it again until then.

Accordion

Pequest Wildlife Management Area Trail

Nice Area, But Not Good for Biking

April, 2023 by 5m5qvjs64m

Not too surprising that this trail hasn’t seen a review since 2018. I parked at the parking lot just off US-46 near the Pequest Trout Hatchery. Heading southwest from this parking lot towards Buttzville, it’s just over 2.5 miles one way. The majority of the trail is rather rocky, so if you’re on a bike you’ll be rattling quite a bit. There are stretches of just grass and less bumpy dirt / gravel, so it’s not all bad. The last tenth of a mile as you near the end of the trail on the map it gets a bit narrower / bumpy / poorly maintained, but then you stumble upon an old rail bridge and crossing. Heading northeast from the Hatchery parking lot, at first isn’t that bad. You cross a bridge quickly, but about a quarter mile past that the trail becomes narrow and overgrown. Thorn bush branches stick out and it’s pretty much impossible to not hit them. I turned back before making it to the northeastern terminus. You’ll be on a slow decline heading west, and a slow incline heading east. Overall, I likely wouldn’t go out of my way again to ride on this trail.

Pequest Wildlife Management Area Trail

Nice Area, But Poor Trail for Biking

April, 2023 by 5m5qvjs64m

Not too surprising that this trail hasn’t seen a review since 2018. I parked at the parking lot just off US-46 near the Pequest Trout Hatchery. Heading southwest from this parking lot towards Buttzville, it’s just over 2.5 miles one way. The majority of the trail is rather rocky, so if you’re on a bike you’ll be rattling quite a bit. There are stretches of just grass and less bumpy dirt / gravel, so it’s not all bad. The last tenth of a mile as you near the end of the trail on the map it gets a bit narrower / bumpy / poorly maintained, but then you stumble upon an old rail bridge and crossing. Heading northeast from the Hatchery parking lot, at first isn’t that bad. You cross a bridge quickly, but about a quarter mile past that the trail becomes narrow and overgrown. Thorn bush branches stick out and it’s pretty much impossible to not hit them. I turned back before making it to the northeastern terminus. You’ll be on a slow decline heading west, and a slow incline heading east. Overall, I likely wouldn’t go out of my way again to ride on this trail.

Putnam Trailway

Flanked by better trails

April, 2023 by robert.richter89

I'm slowly checking trails that make up the Empire State Trail off my list so I will compare the Putnam Trailway to its adjacent trails.

Both the North County Trailway and Maybrook Trailway offer a better riding experience in my opinion. They are both slightly longer, are a little less hilly (which could be a positive or a negative) and are in better shape. All three trails provide similar scenery with a good mix of residential, tree cover and a few lakes/revivors.

That being said the Putnam Trailway isn't a bad trail by any means. It is hillier but that breaks up the monotony of a flat trail. Some of the hills are a fair challenge but they are not very long so its a few short climbs followed by a exciting downhill. There are a fair amount of road crossings especially around Baldwin Place but only two or three are busy, the rest were very quiet. I would say the roughest part of the trail is also around Baldwin Place, nothing crazy just a few bumps and cracks. I have a hybrid bike and had no issues with the trail.

Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail

simply wonderful : )

April, 2023 by greg10954

The Rail Trails of Rockland county are simply wonderful!

Bethpage Bikeway

E-Bikes

March, 2023 by pmicc01

NYS State Law prohibits E-Bikes from riding on the trail but it seems no one is obeying or enforcing the law. It will be an issue when someone gets hurt. There is no difference between an E-bike and a motorcycle except for the way it is powered. I'm not sure this will be an issue when someone gets hurt.

Loantaka Brook Reservation Trail

Nice bike trail but not well marked

March, 2023 by louis.garcia22

This was my first time riding the Loantaka Brook trail. It is late March 2023. I found the trail to be asphalt and smooth with beautiful creeks & dense wooded & nature scenery. On weekdays the trail is not very crowded but because the trail is somewhat narrow I can see it would be challenging to share the trail with walkers & hikers. I actually got lost trying to find my way back to the parking lot. The trail is not very well marked. If you are new to this trail I suggest you go online & review the trail map.

Mamakating Rail Trail

connect the trail

March, 2023 by mulkcats

I walked the south section today 3/24/23 . I was surprised .A very nice little trail.My intention was to walk the whole length but the middle is not maintained.Not sure why,.

Columbia Trail

Scenic, shady, and well-maintained

January, 2023 by mick22

This is my favorite of the New Jersey trails I've been on. Starting out from the High Bridge end, the first few miles are on a slight upward climb that you barely notice, but you're glad to have on the return trip. The scenery is nicely varied ...every section has its own personality and there are many photo ops along the way. The trail is well maintained and away from traffic noises.

Paulinskill Valley Trail

Nice trail if it hasn't rained

January, 2023 by mick22

The trail is a bit more rugged and not as well maintained as the other NJ trails, though a hybrid bike will do the job. West of Blairstown Airport there are a few short sections where you have to get off the bike and deal with steep embankments. There are also a few weird places that seem like dead ends...you come to a road crossing and need to follow it a bit before the trail resumes on the other side. They could use a little signage in these areas...having Google Maps on my phone came in handy on a few occasions.

A good starting point for the Western section is the park at 5 Foot Bridge Lane in Blairstown, and for the Eastern area there's a small lot at 106 County Rd 519 in Newton.

Don't even think of going if it's been raining in the last few days. The last time I went there I parked at the Foot Bridge Lane lot in Blairstown and headed East...I slogged through and around mud flats for a few miles before I came to an impassable one and had to turn around. You also learn pretty quickly to be on the lookout for horse calling cards.

Other than these drawbacks it can be a nice ride...people you meet are friendly and for the most part you're away from traffic noises and off the beaten path.

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Accordion

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