About us
**FreeWalkers.org** is a social network dedicated to exploring life on foot, for walkers and hikers interested in participating in long-distance walking events in the Mid-Atlantic region. Membership is free and open to everyone. We support each member's effort to reach their own goals of fitness and enjoyment as we walk together, explore our surroundings, and promote pro-pedestrian interests.
FreeWalkers has thousands of members and hosts dozens of long-distance walking events each year in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as many in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Most walks are supported by mass transit for easy access and return, and are between ten and fifty miles in length. Some walks are longer multi-day or shorter distance events. We have all kinds of walks, but we are most known for our longer distance walking events. Some of our walks offer shorter 5k to 10k options.
Walkers are free to move at their own pace and distance. It is not necessary for a walk to be completed or timed, only enjoyed. Our walks expose members to countless locations of scenic beauty, historic importance, and pedestrian convenience, all with the benefit of social support, event organization and the opportunity to engage with interesting fellow walkers.
We are an IRS-approved 501(c)3 non-profit and your tax-free donations help us create free and low-cost walks that are interesting, challenging and open to everyone. We manage multiple regional FreeWalkers groups on Meetup. We do encourage joining freewalkers.org and actively supporting our partners and sponsors who help make these events possible. At our website, you can browse photos of our events, learn about our history and mission, and read about the experiences of some of our walkers.
Look for our many walks every year in greater New York City, many parts of New Jersey including Hudson, Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Union, Morris, Monmouth, Mercer and Burlington County; Southeastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery County; Delaware and greater Washington DC. Join us on nature hikes, city walks, history walking tours, long-distance walks, scenic walks and themed walking outings.
Why you might like to join the FreeWalkers:
• Did you ever wonder how far you could walk?
• Would you like to know more about the places you walk?
• Are you more interested in accomplishing personal goals than winning a race?
• Are you the type of person who can't pass up an interesting challenge or adventure?
• Have you ever longed to get out of your car and experience what a community is really like?
• Do you believe you spend nearly as many calories walking as running but over a longer period of time?
• Are you looking for a sport where social interaction is possible?
• Are you looking for an alternative exercise routine that's both easy on the body and builds endurance?
We look forward to seeing you at our next event. Walk the Walk! It's good for you, good for us and good for the greater community. Get out there for your first FreeWalk, and you will be glad that you did.
Upcoming events
19
Staten Island Marathon Walk: XNJ
Elizabeth Public Library, 11 S Broad St, Elizabeth, NJ, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
The most pleasant walking route from Union County to Manhattan, with miles of trail, beach, boardwalk and great views. Part of the 100-mile Cross-Jersey Challenge.
Start: Elizabeth Public Library 11 S Broad St Elizabeth NJ 07202
Finish: NY Penn Station
Distance: 16-26mi
Where to find us: In front of the library
Optional endpoints: World Trade Center PATH
Terrain: flat but rugged dirt trails, pavement, beach, boardwalk
Transit: NJ Transit to Elizabeth Station, walk three blocks south on Broad St
Return: NJ Transit or Path train
Difficulty: Advanced
Category: nature, urban, seashore
Coordinator: Charles Updike, 916-225-0569.
Join us on this scenic and colorful marathon walk to complete our trek across New Jersey. We start three blocks from the train station, where parking is available. Walk along the Elizabeth River and across the Goethals Bridge with views of Manhattan. A rambling trail with easy terrain, which can have a few muddy spots, takes us to the beachfront of Staten Island. A walk along the beach and through the park leads us under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and into the fascinating relic that is Fort Wadsworth. A trip up Bay Avenue ends at the Staten Island Ferry and a free ride into Lower Manhattan. A walk along the Hudson River, with optional visits to the World Trade Center and the High Line, finishes at Midtown and Penn Station.
This is a beautiful walk for those not able to complete the 50-mile Big Walk beyond Elizabeth or Newark. If you are unable to complete this one, you can finish three miles early at the PATH station. There are also many bus stops along the way on Staten Island with buses to the ferry.
The FreeWalkers are again offering the Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge, with a goal of walking the 100 miles of the East Coast Greenway across the entire state at any time during the year. This walk is part of the ECG trail from Trenton to New York City. You have the option of completing the challenge over three to five days. Option 1: Complete the 40-mile Great Canal Walk from Trenton to New Brunswick in one day, or walk the Spring Ahead to Princeton and do the 28-mile Great Canal Walk from Princeton. Option 2: Complete the 50-mile Big Walk in one day, or walk 24 miles of the Big Walk to Elizabeth and complete the remaining 26 miles on the Staten Island Marathon Walk.Highlights
- Elizabeth River Parkway
- Goethals Bridge
- Willowbrook Park
- Staten Island Greenbelt
- Cedar Grove Beach
- FDR Boardwalk and Beach
- Midland Beach
- South Beach
- Fort Wadsworth
- Verrazano Narrows Bridge
- Bay Avenue shops
- Staten Island Ferry
- Battery Park
- World Trade Center
- Hudson River Greenway
- High LineSpring 2026 Cross Jersey Challenge
Mar 21 Spring Ahead Walk (optional) 14mi
Apr 11 Great Canal Walk 28/40mi
Apr 19 Kruimer Walk 13mi
Apr 25 Big Walk 24/50mi
Jun 13 Staten Island Marathon Walk (optional) 22/26mi
Partners:
The East Coast Greenway Alliance is a non-profit organization developing a public multi-use 3,000 mile trail from Canada to Key West through New Jersey and New York. Donations and memberships help make this dream trail a reality.The FreeWalkers are again offering the Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge, with a goal of walking the 100 miles of the East Coast Greenway across the entire state at any time during the year. This walk is part of the ECG trail from Trenton to New York City.
More about FreeWalkers:
Our calendar of walks and hikes | About FreeWalkers | Walker stories | Walking tips
New Jersey walks | Pennsylvania walks | New York City walks1 attendee
Lenape: The Origins Walk with FreeWalkers!
Locust Grove parking lot, 197 Glen Ave, Millburn, NJ, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
A physically challenging walk through the lands of indigenous people.
Please ARRIVE by 6:50 am to check in.
Starting location: parking lot across from Millburn Station
Finish: Newark Penn Station or Newark Broad St Station
Distance: 36mi
Transit: Park at the start, return by train to Millburn Station.
Difficulty: Expert hiker! This is a fast- paced hike.
Coordinator: Sharon Salmon
Optional endpoints: Branch Brook Light Rail, Whole Foods in West Orange and/or other towns. If you leave early you need your own transportation back to the start.
This 36-mile walk starts in the parking lot across the street from the Millburn First Aid squad and train station and follows an old marked trail called the "Lenape Trail" in beautiful South Mountain, Eagle Rock, HIlltop Reservation and Mills Reservations.
The trail also includes suburban towns such as West Orange, Montclair, Verona, Cedar Grove, Bloomfield, Nutley, and Belleville, and ends in urban Newark.
This event has always been both challenging and popular with the FreeWalkers. The walker is faced with about 70% wooded trail and 30% suburban and urban sidewalks and streets. The walk begins with some elevation and terrain.
As always, the walk is free and everyone is invited. Its name "Lenape" suggests honoring the Native American ancestors of our area on a day where we also honor the discovery of America and so named the "Origins Walk".
If you do leave the group at any time you are responsible for getting back on your own.
Highlights:
- South Mountain Reservation, Eagle Rock Reservation, Hilltop Reservation, Mills Reservation, Presby Memorial Garden, Brookdale Park, Belleville Park, Branch Brook Park and ending in Newark.
Suggest description
2 attendees
Wissahickon Rittenhousetown Walk
Chestnut Hill West Station, 9 West Evergreen Ave, Philadelphia, PA, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
Walk the Wissahickon and find the hidden treasures of Fairmount Park.
Start: Chestnut Hill West Station, Philadelphia
Finish: 30th Street Station, Philadelphia
Distance: 15mi
Optional endpoints: Tulpehocken Station (6mi)
Mini: Tulpehocken Station (6mi)
Terrain: gravel, paved, wooded hiking trails
Transit: At 30th St Station or Center City, take the Chestnut Hill West Line.
Parking: $2 parking in Chestnut Hill.
Difficulty: Average
Category: nature, urban, scenic
Coordinator: Charles Updike
A beautiful walk through nature. Scenic loop exploring the Wissahickon, with a visit to Rittenhousetown and a sweeping view of the Wissahickon Valley atop the Walnut Lane Bridge. Attend the Philly 250 Firstival event at Rittenhousetown
Highlights:
- Mill Covered Bridge
- Magarge Dam
- Valley Green
- Walnut Lane Bridge
- Rittenhouse Town
- Chestnut Hill
Partners:
Circuit Trails is 800 miles of interconnected trails in Greater Philadelphia in the making, already one of America's largest trail networks. Once connected, the Circuit Trails will be one of the nation's premier urban trail networks and it will provide multiple benefits to neighborhoods, communities and the region as a whole.
More about FreeWalkers:
Our calendar of walks and hikes | About FreeWalkers | Walker stories | Walking tips
New Jersey walks | Pennsylvania walks | New York City walksSuggest description
2 attendees
America's Birthday Walking Tours (USA250)
Love Park, 16th St and JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
Enjoy the holiday weekend events and walk with the FreeWalkers. Walk schedule for both days to be determined, based on event schedule. Details to come!
Start: Love Park (subject to adjustment)
Distance: TBD
Where to find us: 16th and JFK
Mini: all walks
Terrain: paved
Transit: Septa, PATCO
Parking: many options
Difficulty: Beginner
Category: history, urban
Coordinator: Charles UpdikeSome little history tours and fun to fill in the weekend's gaps. Details to come.
Highlights:
- Independence Hall
- Liberty Bell
- Betsy Ross House
- Carpenters Hall
- ... and much more
More about FreeWalkers:
Our calendar of walks and hikes | About FreeWalkers | Walker stories | Walking tips
New Jersey walks | Pennsylvania walks | New York City walks2 attendees
Past events
349
Group links
Members
618
