Explore the best rated trails in Long Branch, NJ. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail and John Kieran Nature Trail. With more than 74 trails covering 625 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.
This trail is in no way shape or form complete. 40+ miles are marked closed all along the shown "trail". several areas with no way around the closures. Fine for attempting a day trip but if you were going to use the whole "trail" you would be in for real trouble. Not knocking the trail itself but TrailLink, really makes me question its usefulness. Good thing I was in the area and decided to do a day out and back trip on the D&L before attempting to ride the whole thing.
The trail was originally a tow path...in its early days mules would walk along it towing barges through the canal, usually carrying coal from Pennsylvania to the New York area. The canal is seventy-five feet wide and eight feet deep. It was dug in the 1830s by hand - mostly by laborers brought in from Ireland. They worked under brutal conditions from sunup til sundown; some of them had stonemason skills and their cobblestone spillways still survive.
So how long did it take 3,000 Irish laborers to dig the canal? Only three freaking years! Next time you ride this trail, mentally drink a toast of fine Irish whiskey to the good folks who labored so we can ride!
Have enjoyed this trail for several years. Recently purchased an eBike and have emailed the recreation department in a couple of the towns that that the trail goes thru to get a clarification as to whether eBikes are permitted with no response. Not sure what town maintains or manages the trail. According to posted NJ legislation eBike are permissible on any trails that allow pedal bikes. Does anyone know where an official response can be obtained.
Thanks
Mike
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.
Trail is great. Took my road bike w/700x25c tires on the well laid out path. Gravel is hard packed up to the 4 mile marker. Mile 4 thru 6 was loose gravel but manageable. It was a nice ride.
Nice trail for running, and it wasn’t too crowded. There were a few scenic areas but I was expecting more. Also if hilly around the start. And decent parking.
This is a great trail to get out in the woods and enjoy nature. If you are riding a bike, there can be a good amount of people on these trails, even on a weekday.
There are a couple of narrow sections where you may have to stop and let people pass.
Has a visitor center with indoor bathrooms.
All in all a great time!
Went on OCT 6 on an absolutely beautiful fall day. The trail is easy but there are so many side trails and that you keep riding through Sea Breeze that we put in 18+ miles in two hours. Lots of access to virtually empty beaches on both sides of the peninsula for relaxing and fishing. No swimming though. We plan to come back to not only ride again but to bring the beach and the fishing gear. It is a gem in one of the most highly populated areas of the US.
So today on bike started at water plant and at split I went right. More natural trail. Great for mountain bikes but still easy walking. Pushing a stroller might be challenging. Curves and a slight incline. Very scenic along the creek almost all the way. Ending at the waterfalls very cool spot. 1.7 miles. Returned same way. I saw a sign saying That said state park ?
Amazing ride, almost not realizing your next to a busy thoroughfare, not to many hills so you don’t feel the distance
This trail is being renovated and is pretty nice, it’s much larger than the map shows. The trail takes you all the way into Staten Island through the Goethals Bridge and there’s another half to the trail of the trail on the other side of Downtown Elizabeth!
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