Explore the best rated trails in Middlesex, NJ. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Palmer Township Recreation Trail (Towpath Bike Trail) and Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. With more than 133 trails covering 903 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.
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.
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!
Checked out this trail for the first time recently. We enjoyed the sights and sounds of the trail and the creek was beautiful. We had a limited amount of time before dark, so we only went a little over a mile before turning back. We were surprised to see a sizable, established homeless encampment along the trail. Some unhoused folks can be considered high-risk in regards to safety, but we did not have any issues. We were in a group, so it wasn’t greatly intimidating, however I felt less safe on this trail due to the presence of the encampment.
I mountain biked this short but beautiful trail before the 2012 Sandy washout. I took it from Ogdensburg to Beaver Lake Road (walk the tracks the last 300 feet) and then headed down RT 23 and left on 517 to Ogdensburg for a easy loop ride. I hiked the trail 1/13/2023 and I am happy to say that the collapsed section now has a narrow berm on the south side that can be biked (technical) or just walked. There are some trees down along the trail (hop some and carry over some) and some muddy areas by the rock cuts and some passable streams, but the views are worth a try. If you scramble up the rock mound you have great views of Ogdensburg and Sparta, and when you travel under the power lines you have a great view of RT 23 and Franklin. I think the rock cuts are deeper than the ones on the Paullinskill Trail and the elevated rail bed section are amazing. If you want to continue further into the Hamburg Mountain Wildlife Area, you can hop off this trail when it gets close to RT 23, and you will be across the street from their parking area. There is a also great little convenience store at the start of the trail in Ogdensburg as well a a new local bar across the street.
I just discovered the trail and rode it for a few miles earlier today, starting in Bristol. I thought the trail would have gone right next to the Delaware River (like the Schuylkill River Trail), but the path is a bit inland from the river. The path is small gravel. It’s not the most scenic path, but it’s in decent shape. I’ll probably only ride it again if I have the time to make it up to. We Hope.
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
I rode this route for the first time today. It’s a very well maintained paved trail. I really enjoyed the ride. The creek is very nice, and you can hardly tell you’re in the city. There are many more hills on this section of trail than the more northerly sections.Looking forward to the next time.
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.
To add to the previous review, on 11/3 the trail was completely flooded at Jefferson Lake, just north of the Waterloo Road parking area.
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.
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