Explore the best rated trails in Long Branch, NJ, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the John Kieran Nature Trail and Old Croton Aqueduct Trail . With more than 77 trails covering 648 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.
Love this trail in the Bethlehem area. You can access downtown Bethlehem from the trail at Main Street. From there, it's about a 10 minute walk up where you can grab a bite to eat and some refreshments. Only downside last time we were there, saw dozens of people long-term "camping" along the trail east of Bethlehem. Probably not allowed but also does not seem to be disallowed. Just want to make people aware so they are not surprised by this while on the trail.
The history of the Long Island Motor Parkway (as it was first recalled) is revealed with signage along the length of the Parkway, including the site of the Jacob Johnson Family Burial Ground who appears in the 1830 Census as a "free colored man." At least two of his sons served in a segregated unit in the Civil War. He was a farmer in the area until retirement when he lived very close to Alley Pond.
The length of the entire park roadway, designated as part of the Greenway, has been repaved.
Review other park features when you come. In another area of the larger Alley Pond Park is found the oldest and tallest tree in NYC, already growing at the time of George Washington, known as the Alley Pond Giant. Hiking trails throughout the Park are well maintained.
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.
12 miles to a awesome payoff. NYC Skyline in the distance. A bit bumpy at times. Great way to get used to clipping in. You do it a lot. Lol Many road crossings. Half the ride under shade. Clean path. 2 hours there and back at 11MPH Enjoy the ride!
Portions of the trail were super narrow to navigate and are almost more of a footpath. Signage isn’t the greatest, quite a few homeless camps along this section.
I took the Metro North out of the city up to Bronxville to cycle all the way to the north end of this trail, and had a very good time. While it's not exactly a quiet trail, running alongside the Bronx River Parkway for the majority of it, it is surprisingly secluded and peaceful.
I do have two warnings, which I've also submitted as edits to the description of this trail, so hopefully they'll appear above this review in the future.
One: there is a small section of gravel between Hartsdale and White Plains. I took my Brompton since I was expecting asphalt the whole way, and while it performed surprisingly admirably on the gravel, it was still rough enough to give me a tire puncture. Gravel bikes and hybrids will likely have no problems, but folding bikes and skinny-tire road bikes may want to be cautious in this section - it's unfortunately too long to simply walk it.
Two: there are a number of extremely low-clearance parts of this trail where it passes under the Bronx River Parkway. I'm 5'11" and I had to duck while *walking* my bike several times. These are all well signposted, but do *not* ride your bike under there unless you know exactly how tall you (and your helmet) are on your bike. Many of these crossings are also blind and narrow, so if you do ride through them, I'd recommend ringing your bell as you go to warn anyone approaching.
Men hanging out along the path. Would not be heard if you shouted out
Parked in the Lawrenceville Fuel parking lot on Gordon Ave, crossed Gordon Ave to James Street, then headed Southwest - following the zigs and zags and ultimately heading North to Moore's Mill - Mt. Rose Road.
This is one of the more scenic trails I've been on in New Jersey - you will go thru parks, wooded areas, and past farmland. Trail markings are pretty good for the most part, though there are a few places that could use better signage...having a map or trail app with you can't hurt if it's your first time.
It's more hilly than your basic canal or rail trail, but nothing too hairy. There are a lot of unshaded areas, so sunblock is a good thing to take along. All in all, it's an enjoyable ride with varied scenery.
The pavement is too rough and also there are little hills that might be dangerous. Is great for bikes though
Parked at Working Dog Winery about a mile and a half from the north end trail head. Used my road bike which worked fairly well for the 20 miles round trip. Just be careful on turns if you are using a narrow tire. The crushed stone can make it a bit slippery. Trail is about 50/50 sun and shade with only one major road crossing which is quite nice. A great option for central jersey riders.
As its name indicates, the 2.5 mile Bristol Spurline Park follows the route of an old RR track that once extended from the nearby Northeast Corridor into the heart of this town on the Delaware River just east of Philly. Comprised of a paved, multi-use trail lined with shade trees as well as benches, a playground and connections to Roosevelt State Park, the Bristol Marsh and Bristol High School, the linear park is one of many such greenways that are being built in towns and cities throughout the country. However, when the Bristol Spurline Park was originally developed on the former Conrail line in 1980, linear parks and rail trails were still a new and unusual concept. It was the third rails to trails conversion in SE PA, after the Struble Trail in Chester County and the Conewago Recreation Trail in Lancaster County, both of which were constructed only a year earlier in 1979.
The borough's then visionary investment has paid off well in the ensuing 43 years. The park's trail begins at Radcliffe Street on the borough's east side, just6 a block away from the Delaware River. It extends north, through residential neighborhoods to the intersection of Railroad and Trenton Aves. From here, it takes a sharp turn to the southwest, threading a tree-lined route between Trenton Ave. and the Northeast Corridor active RR line. The segment of the trail from here to Roosevelt State Park closely follows the RR, which is one of the most heavily used lines in the nation. Amtrack passenger trains, SEPTA commuter trains and Norfolk Southern and CSX freight trains can all be seen zipping by, safely separated from the linear park by a metal fence, making it a railfan's delight. Bristol High School, the playground and an athletic complex with football and soccer fields and a running track are also located along this section. Heading southwest, the trail runs between residential neighborhoods and Roosevelt State Park, which features basketball courts and a community garden. The state park's small network of paved trail's links the Spurline trail to the nearby, much longer D&L Trail.
After crossing Jefferson Ave., trail users will pass the Grundy Mill complex, with its 186 foot high clock tower, which is now the logo of Bucks County. Once a textile mill, the complex now houses several businesses, including a dance studio, gym, a rye whiskey distiller and the offices of an engineering firm and an environmental group monitoring the Delaware River.
Heading further southwest, the trail crosses Beaver Street and follows Old Route 13 into Bristol's historic downtown. A small piece of old RR track located in front of Grundy Towers marks the spot where Abraham Lincoln addressed the town shortly after his election in 1861, while a couple historical buildings, including the borough's municipal offices and police station as well as the old fire station can be seen just across the street. A colorful mural commemorating the 1950's adorns the side of William Penn Bank, and the shops and eateries of the downtown are just a short walk down Mill Street.
Although the Spurline Park technically ends at the intersection of Old Route 13 and Mill Street, the trail itself continues on the south side of Old Route 13 to Canal's End Road. From here, it turns south through the Bristol Marsh Preserve, ending at a small plaza at the Bristol riverfront. Although described on the borough's website as being part of the Spurline Park, this greenway is technically the southernmost segment of the D&L Trail and interpretive signage provides information on the southern terminus of Delaware & Lehigh Canal, which was once located here.
In addition to linking to the D&L Trail, which, when completed, will follow the towpath of the old canal from Bristol to Wilkes-Barre, the Spurline Park will also become part of the East Coast Greenway when it is eventually moved off-road and is also part of The Circuit, the network of greenways that will eventually span the Philly Metro Area and beyond.
My only caveat on the trail is that its asphalt surface is showing its age, meaning that cyclists can expect some bumps, and a memorial fountain located at the intersection of Old Route 13 and Beaver Street which was shut off during the Covid pandemic still hasn't been reactivated. Otherwise, the Bristol Spurline Park is a great asset for this suburban town on the Delaware River and the borough officials who conceived it in the late 70's are to be commended for their forward vision.
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