Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapThe Route 52 Bridge Trail is an important connector between Cape May County and Atlantic County in New Jersey's growing trail network.
On its southern end, the paved pathway begins in Ocean City, where it connects to an on-road bike route along Haven Avenue that in turn heads southwest to a connection with the Ocean City Bike Path.
On its northern end, the Route 52 Bridge Trail connects to the Pleasantville to Somers Point Bike Path, which ties together four communities along its 8-mile route.
As it travels along the Route 52 causeway, the trail is fully separated from vehicular traffic and offers sweeping views of Great Egg Harbor Bay. At either end of the trail, great shopping and dining opportunities are available.
Parking is available at the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce (300 W. 9th St.).
On the north end of the trail, parking is also available a few blocks away in nearby John F. Kennedy Park (24 Broadway, Somers Point).
After riding the ocean city trail, we ta kled on this one. Halfway is a Visitor's Center where we saw many crane nesting, make sure to take binoculars and Camara. Making the climb over the bridges.
I usually park along Broadway Ave., but you could also park down at Kennedy Park. From Broadway to the trail head is a short, but semi-tricky ride as cars constantly pull in and out of the restaurant and liquor store there. There is a nice sidewalk once you get past the restaurant. From there it's smooth riding. The bridges take a bit of effort and are of course easier to handle if your bike has more gears, but they give you a nice work out. If your going for a longer ride, it might be prudent to walk your bike up the bridges to save energy for later. The tops of the bridges are great places to stop for photos. The path is about 4 people wide, so you need to be careful when speeding down the bridges when there is a lot of foot traffic. The path is separate from the vehicle lane with an about 3 foot high barrier in between the path and vehicle lanes. Bikes can also ride in the vehicle lane, but it is fairly dangerous as the shoulder is small in places. There are a couple fishing piers with parking lots which can serve as places to rest along the way, the Somers point side fish pier has a porta-potti I believe. Further along the path is a Visitor's center which is only open at certain times, but it does have bathroom's when it is open. The upper deck of the center is a great place to stop to take pictures. The bridge into Ocean city is quite steep and you need to mind your speed both coming into the city and when your are headed back towards the Visitor's center. Coming into the city, there is an intersection fairly close to the end of the bridge. Headed back to the visitor's center, there is a tight turn that can surprise you if you are rolling too fast down the bridge. From the Ocean City end, you can continue riding up to the boardwalk. Be aware that OC does not allow you to ride on sidewalks and the roads can be quite dangerous and full of traffic during the summer season. You can also head up to Haven and ride down it, which will eventually connect to another bike path.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
