Explore the best rated trails in North Plainfield, NJ, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Barnegat Branch Trail and Thomas F. Hampton Trail (Crossley Preserve Trail) . With more than 137 trails covering 1046 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.
It’s perfect for people who love nature—lots of forest and good trails. I really liked it.
I’ve gone a few times to ride my bike however I’ve almost got taken out by people on racing bikes and think they are in a triathlon..not cool
Started the ride at the Sharon Station parking lot. Headed south towards Cream Ridge. Loose gravel and sandy areas may challenge some riders. Road tires might be an issue. Shaded, mostly flat trail. May see some deer.
Was our first trail on our new e-bikes. We did the entire route from Barnegat to Tom’s River and back. We stopped at Caffreys Backyard Tavern which was trail side in Forked River. Really cool outdoor place for cocktails and lunch. Was a total of 31 miles. Great day.
I'm a senior, just getting back into riding. I wanted to try the "14 mile loop" I have a hybrid bike and completed the loop, but probably wouldn't do it again due to the Great Valley Trail part of the loop. I found Great Valley to be less maintained than the Paulinskill and Sussex branches of the loop. I found the loop grassy and bumpy in the beginning (Augusta Hills Rd) and then the trail narrowed and became more of a single lane trail that was rutted and overgrown with tall vegetation. Had to get off the bike once to carry the bike over a tree. Connecting back up to the Paulinskill branch was a welcome site. Great Valley is certainly doable, but it was the least enjoyable part of the loop.
I had a great ride. My wife decided not to join me which was a good thing. I took what was supposed to be the easiest sections. They may have been easy for mountain biking, but I was expecting more of a rail trail in those areas. No problem -I had a gravel bike with 44 mm tires which worked fine. Could’ve been a little better marked in some areas, but I did not get lost. I would highly recommend checking out the website for the park, which gives you details on the easiest to the most difficult sections and the mileage between the access areas. Remember, this is not a flat rail trail. There are a lot of flat areas, but there are a lot of twisty turns, short uphill and downhill climbs -as well as bridges. And the terrain is not the smoothest.
Beautiful Trail! Bridge out in Pennpack Park
I have cycled the D&R numerous times from Frenchtown to Washington Crossing and from Lawrence Township to New Brunswick. I have not ridden through Trenton because I have been told it isn't very safe for a lone rider who doesn't know exactly where the trail begins and ends. The trail along the Delaware is beautiful and very well kept. The trail is wide with crushed stone and easy to navigate on any kind of bike. The trail along the Raritan is nice until you get closer to New Brunswick. The trail is rockier with many potholes and not as well kept, plus there are a few spots where you need to dismount your bike and walk. I highly recommend the D&R for biking, hiking and running.
I have cycled the D&L from Washington Crossing to Uhlerstown a few times. The scenery is beautiful, but the trail itself is not well taken care of. Some parts are completely grown over or only allow one hiker/cyclist to pass at a time. There are also miles of large gravel that I think would be very difficult for road bikes, non-hybrid bikes of hikers with balance issues. It is also very crowded on the weekends.
Have a comfort bike with wider tires 24 speeds. There are in most parts of the trail 2 tracks. Mostly unkept so poor for biking. Trail is grass and like I said 2 bike tire tracks. However would be great for hiking.
Very scenic good ride , if your biking I would recommend ride early otherwise you encounter many walkers , strollers etc which can be a hazard if you are biking and cone around a corner the a surprise.
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