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
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Spring Ahead Walk: XNJ
Trenton Transit Center, 72 S Clinton Ave, Trenton, NJ, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
Kicking off the Cross-Jersey Challenge with an old favorite. Time to get moving again! Part of the 100-mile Cross-Jersey Challenge.
Start: Trenton Transit Center
Finish: Princeton Station, Princeton, NJ
Distance: 14mi
Return: train or bus
Coordinator: Charles Updike,916-225-0569
Transit: Arrive via NJTransit or Septa. Return via NJTransit. Walkers finish at about the same time and hop on the train or walk into town and return to Trenton on the 606 bus.
Parking: Free parking is available at the Princeton train station. Best parking in Trenton is across the street at the Riverline parking lot, $7.This year we will head north after Calhoun Street, cross the Roebling pedestrian bridge into Stacy Park, and enjoy a more natural course through Trenton.
A 14-mile walk from city to country. This half day event along with the 28-mile Great Canal Walk covers the distance from Trenton to New Brunswick along the D&R Canal which one can choose to complete in one day on the Great Canal Walk. This first leg, the Spring Ahead Walk traditionally is a casual walk to size up the trail and get back into your walking groove. The walking event, like nearly all FreeWalks, is free and open to anyone.
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.
Highlights:
-Mill Hill Park
-Old Barracks
-State Capitol
-Roebling pedestrian bridge
-Stacy Park
-Battle of Trenton Monument
-D and R Canal towpathSpring 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 Paul's Big Walk 24/50mi
Jun 13 Staten Island Marathon Walk (optional) 22/26miPartners:
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.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.
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 walks
1 attendee
Stride for your Mind: Walk for Mental Health Awareness
Starbucks, 11 Sloan St, South Orange, NJ, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
A gentle 3-mile neighborhood walk to bring awareness to the importance of supporting mental health and physical well-being in our community.
- All ages welcome. Walk is FREE!
- Meet us outdoors at the South Orange Train Station Gazebo next to Starbucks.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Invite family and friends, all welcome.
- Be sure to register ahead of time.
- Please, no dogs on this walk. We love pups but not with groups.
Join Dr. Olivia Lewis-Chang, Risa Olinsky (FreeWalkers President), and Lindsay Tasher (FreeWalkers Trustee), for a lovely morning stroll through the beautiful historic areas and back to the train station. Want to join in for coffee after the walk? Location in South Orange TBD.
Coming from NYC? Take the 9:11 am train from NY Penn Station directly to South Orange.
Plenty of FREE parking in the area.2 attendees
The Training Walk: 14 miles from Morristown to Maplewood
Morristown Train Station, 122 Morris St, Morristown, NJ, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
It's easy to drive everywhere in the suburbs, but did you know these towns are quite "walkable" too? Join us to explore how easy it is to get around from Morristown to Maplewood through several historic charming towns and lovely neighborhoods.
Start: Morristown Train Station: (south side) parking lot.
Finish: St. James Gate Publick House, 167 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040 - join us for food and drinks.
Distance: 14 miles (less if you choose).
Optional endpoints: Shorten your walk in any town: Madison, Chatham, Summit, Short Hills, Millburn and lastly end up in Maplewood. Hop the train to the start or the end point.
Bathrooms: Many options through the towns.
The train station is closed, but there is a Dunkin Dontuts and a Diner just one block from the station at the start.
Terrain: All sidewalks, some small hills.
Transit: Midtown Direct train departs NY Penn at 9:11 am and arrives in Morristown at 10:28. Look for us in the parking lot on the south side of the station.
Driving There: Parking is NOT free at the Morristown train station, so if you are local to NJ a suggestion is take the train from Maplewood Village (9:51 am) to Morristown Station.
Difficulty: Moderate, walk at your own pace. Please note the group does spread out and walk at different speeds. A good idea to bring along a buddy.
Coordinator: Risa Olinsky (201)618-5582 (leave your full name) & David Ascher: 973-715-1517.
Highlights: Charming NJ small towns to explore if you choose to walk around. Socialize with us at the endpoint.2 attendees
Welcome Spring: Columbia Trail & Ken Lockwood Gorge
Columbia Trail, High Bridge Trailhead, 73 County Rd 513, High Bridge, NJ, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
If you've never hiked the Columbia Trail you're in for a real treat. If you have you know how special it is. We walk out on the top trail and back along the gorge. Pack a snack/lunch to picnic in Califon. At the end join us for food/drinks in High Bridge (location TBD). It is important for you to check your email the night before for any delays or rescheduling due to weather.
Start and Finish: Trail head in High Bridge NJ. Please arrive at 10:20 so we can head out no later than 10:30 am. We are leaving extra time to take a break for lunch together in Califon.
Distance: Approximately 12 miles R/T.
Where to find us: Parking lot in High Bridge across the street from the trail head.
Optional endpoints: You can shorten your hike by simply turning around and heading back. If you do this you're on your own, but you will NOT get lost. It's a straight shot back.
Bathrooms: There are NEW indoor bathrooms at the start and one portable in Califon (was told it will be open, hopefully).
NO Dog policy: We love the pups but NOT on our walks..
Terrain: Crushed gravel trail, some hills on the return trail and along the river. The return trail is a bit rocky.
Dress: Depending on snow/ice weather conditions you might need traction devices, hiking boots and poles.
Post Hike Food/Drink: Join us after the hike for food/drink in a local High Bridge spot. Your tab is your own.
Transit: No trains or buses go there on Sunday.
(A pre-arranged carpool is an option). If you are coming from NYC you can take a train to Maplewood Train Station to meet Risa. This must be reserved a week ahead of time. Limited seating in the car.
Parking: Free parking in High Bridge lot at the trailhead.
Difficulty: Moderate. The trail is not difficult as long as you can do the mileage. If not, one suggestion is to hike to the bridge/gorge (about 3 miles) and turn back. Pace will be about 2.8 -3 MPH depending on conditions.
Category: magnificent natural beauty, waterfalls, historical and more.
Coordinator: Risa Olinsky 201-618-5582/ info@freewalkers.org.2 attendees
Past events
332
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