Cape May’s 8.9-mile Middle Township Bike Path and 2.7-mile Cold Spring Bike Path were fully connected in summer 2017. Riders can begin their journey at US 9/Sandman Boulevard in Lower Township across the street from the local elementary school and ride it just over 11 miles north to the Cape May County Park & Zoo. The trail pairing acts as a backbone for the 16 municipalities that surround it, and future spur trails will connect even more communities and local attractions.
The Jersey shore was a major vacation destination for residents of the Delaware Valley region throughout the early 20th century; the Middle Township Bike Path follows a former rail line that once serviced these tourists.
On its southern end, the Middle Township Bike Path begins in Erma, where you’ll notice many idyllic camping areas and wineries to the east and west. Heading north from there, you’ll pass through the Rio Grande community. The homes begin to grow scarce as you enter the woods through Middle Township. You may even run across a bunny or deer as you continue to the northern endpoint at the Cape May County Park & Zoo. If you are here in the spring or summer, you’ll enjoy a beautiful display of wildflowers and butterflies along the trail. Zoo admission is free, as is parking for cars.
To reach parking at the trail’s northern endpoint from Garden State Pkwy., take Exit 11 for Crest Haven Road. Head west on County Road 609/Crest Haven Road, and travel 0.2 mile until it becomes County Park Road and enters the zoo, where parking is available. From the Cape May Terminal, drive 2.8 miles on US 9 N/Lincoln Blvd./Sandman Blvd. to NJ 109 S. Turn right onto NJ 109 S, and go 1 mile. Merge onto Garden State Pkwy., and continue 10.6 miles to Exit 11. Turn left onto CR 609/Crest Haven Road, and follow it 0.2 mile until it becomes County Park Road and enters the zoo, where parking is available.
There is also a small parking lot at end of Railroad Avenue, north of SR 47, in Rio Grande. Steps from the path, it's a closer option for those staying in Wildwood.
Being under electric lines, it's great that the trail isnt mown, rather its left to natural vegetation, which, along with the forest often present, is A-1 South Jersey amazing.
This is a great route for biking from points west to southern Cape May County, the alternatives being various and not always hospitable. The new section enables biking to Wildwood and Cape May. Conversely, this path enables day or 1 night trips to Denisville, Estelle Manor, and other serene spots and State Parks as a break from the beach.
Rode up from Cape May for the first time this year. After leaving town I got on the Cold Spring Bike Path and then steeled my nerves for the 2+ miles one has (had) to take on Rt 109/9 to connect to the MTBP. After about a half mile on the road after CSBP, a new asphalt bike path magically appeared. There were signs saying the path was closed but it looked done so I took a chance and voila, despite the signage, the new section completely connects to the beginning (now the middle of the MTBP). This really made my day. Now it is about 3 miles of path on the Cold Spring Trail, 3/4 mile on rt 109 (with a wide shoulder), then 6.75 so on this trail, plus, at the north end, there is another bike trail for about a mile to the big rec complex. Almost 11 miles of safe biking!
Great bike path that now extends south of Satt blvd eventually to link with Cold Spring path. Very smooth with just a coupe of road intersections.
The trail is mostly straight. The scenery is okay. The minor setback is, in some areas there are to many intersections. You must be careful. The trail is a bit longer than listed. It is about 7 miles long. They are currently working to complete the final leg of the trail. This will run from the zoo to the Cape May Ferry.
The trail now goes further south then mapped. :) paved and all
Trail was extended from Indian Trail Rd to Main St in 2014. It is in good shape and is heavily used. Funding is secured to pave the next section to Satt Boulevard at the Lower/Middle Township line. The final mile down to connect with the Cold Spring Bike Path is being planned by Lower Township.
I walk a portion of this bike path daily! The part specifically between Hand Avenue and Dias Creek Road is in need of some maintenance and a good through picking up! It is trash strewn and dog feces is everywhere. The homeowners along the path have cleared for installing of fence, etc. and left huge piles of vegetation in piles on the bike path side of fences, corn stalks, dead plants and other trash are in piles long the path that meet with the intersecting roads, where lawn mowing has occurred last year, there are shredded up cans just waiting for someone to fall and get injured, trash from adjoining businesses (Muscle World and Osbourne's Furniture warehouse) remains unattended, there are no bags for dog waste or trashcans to contain the trash that is picked up! This is indeed a sorry mess! The bike path is and can be a huge attraction for the township but the condition of the present path is not acceptable and needs to be dealt with ASAP. With spring will be additional users of the path and we need to ensure that the path is safe and maintained in a sanitary manner.
This path has been added to, it now runs from Indian Trail Road all the way to the Zoo. It is paved and ready to ride :-) Can someone please update the mileage of the course?
Nicely paved. Rural. Great connection between the ever-popular Cape May County Zoo & the heart of Cape May Court House.
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