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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Battle of Fort Washington 250th Anniversary March
Mitchel Park, 168th and Broadway, New York, NY, NY, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
Explore the northern stretches of Manhattan and witness the last major battle before the crossing of the Delaware.
Start: Mitchel Square, Broadway and 168th, NYC
Finish: Fort Tryon Park
Distance: 7mii
Where to find us: Near subway exit
Terrain: paved
Transit: 1 or A subway to 168th St
Return: 1 or A subway from Dyckman St
Difficulty: Beginner
Category: nature, history, urban
Coordinator: Charles Updike
Join us on an exploration of the historic locations connected to the Battle of Fort Washington, as we tell the story of how the battle unfolded and its historic context, before attending the battle reenactment and other public events in Fort Tryon Park. We expect to arrive in the park by 1pm in time for the reenactment. Events will continue there until 4pm.
Highlights:- Highbridge Park
- Fort Tryon Park
- Hudson River Greenway
- Morris House
- Bennett Park
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.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
Schuylkill Banks Walk -- Philadelphia to Prospect Park
The Porch at 30th Street Station, 2955 Market Street, SE corner of 30th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
Explore a colonial arboretum, gardens, an archaeology museum and a wildlife refuge on the lower Schuylkill.
Start: 30th Street Station, Phila
Finish: Prospect Park Station
Distance: 15mi
Return: train
Coordinator: Charles Updike
Transit: Amtrak, Megabus, NJTransit AC, SEPTA with connections to NJTransit
Optional endpoints:- Trolley from Bartams back to 30th St. (5mi)This walk includes an early visit to the Penn Musem for the Philly 250 celebration of the first peoples of North America, with a new Native American exhibit, with a great walk afterwards.
30th Street to Tinicum through the Schuylkill Banks, Bartram's Garden and John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, all along the East Coast Greenway. Return by train. An interesting exploration of nature tucked into a most industrial city segment. We will get to see the latest progress in connecting the East Coast Greenway through Philly.Highlights:
- Schuylkill Banks- Bartram's Garden- John Heinz Wildlife Refuge- Tinicum ParkPartners:
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.
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
ENIAC Endless Loop Walk
The Porch at 30th Street, 30th and Market Sts, Philadelphia, PA, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
A celebration of the world's first electronic computer at its birthplace and a new loop walk on the Schuylkill
Start: The Porch at 30th Street Station
Finish: The Porch at 30th Street Station
Distance: 3-15mi
Where to find us: South side outside station
Optional endpoints: Lindbergh Blvd trolley(3mi), Penn(6mi)
Mini: Lindbergh Blvd trolley(3mi) or Penn(6mi)
Terrain: paved
Transit: Septa or Amtrak
Parking: 3001 JFK Blvd or Cira Centre South Garage
Difficulty: Average
Category: nature, history, urban
Coordinator: Charles UpdikeEnjoy the two newest pedestrian bridges on Philly's East Coast Greenway, Bartram's Garden and Fairmount Park. In between, we visit the site of and commemorate the world's first computer, ENIAC.
Highlights:
- Schuylkill Banks
- Bartram's Gardens
- University of Pennsylvania
- ENIAC
- Shofuso
- Belmont Plateau
- Boathouse Row
- Art Museum
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.
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 walks2 attendees
Battle of Trenton 250th Anniversary March -- USA250
Washington Crossing Visitor Center, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA, USPlease register for FREE to attend.
Follow in the footsteps of Washington at our young nation's most vulnerable moment.
Optional endpoints: Walk one or both walks
Start: Washington Crossing PA
Finish: Mill Hill Park, Trenton
Distance: 4-13mi
Where to find us: Near the flagpole
Optional start: Afternoon history tour starts at Broad and Front Sts, goes to the Old Barracks Museum via Morrisville
Mini: Afternoon history tour (4mi)
Terrain: paved
Return: carpool, Uber
Parking: Park for free at 25 Memorial Drive in Trenton around 7:30, possibly to carpool with others from this point.
Difficulty: Beginner
Category: nature, history, urban
Coordinator: Charles Updike, 916-225-0569.
Learn the history of the Ten Crucial Days that kept the American Revolution alive.
Two battle re-enactments, an 8 mile march and a 4 mile tour
Bear witness to the events of December 25, 1776 through January 2, 1777 and learn their significance.
Muster up. It is time for the FreeWalkers regiment to march with the Continental Army in observance of the 250th anniversary of Washington crossing the Delaware and the subsequent battles of Trenton. Cross the Delaware with us and march down to Trenton as Washington's troops did after the crossing and prior to the Battle of Trenton, and then witness perhaps the most important battle of the Revolution re-enacted on the same streets where it all took place 250 years ago. Tour the area with us and return to town in time to observe the re-enactment of the second battle. Join us for part or all of the day's activities.Schedule:
7:30am: Check in
8am: Crossing the Delaware and marching to Trenton for battle
(8 miles) Washington Crossing Historic Park in PA to Battle Monument, Broad and Warren Sts in Trenton
11am: Battle of Trenton re-enactment
12noon: Historic tour of Trenton and Morrisville (meet at Front and Broad Streets)
(4 miles) Coffee shop at Warren and Front Sts to Old Barracks Museum via Morrisville
3pm: Battle of Assumpink Creek re-enactment (2nd Battle of Trenton)
More info on these and associated events can be found at Old Barracks
Meet-up:
Meet us at the Washington Crossing Visitor Center parking lot at 7:45am for the crossing and morning march of eight miles.
Transit:
Both walks end a short distance from Trenton Transit Center. Carpooling may be available or can be arranged between Trenton and Washington Crossing. Return via Uber is also an option.
Come, intrepid foot soldier, brave the elements and defeat the enemy as our founding fathers did. Huzzah!Highlights:
- Washington Crossing Park
- McKonkey's Inn
- Delaware and Raritan Canal
- Trenton Battle Monument
- Trenton battle sites
- Mill Hill Park
- Old Barracks Museum
- William Trent House
- Robert Morris legacy
- Summerseat (Washington's Headquarters, Dec 1776)
- Delaware Canal
- Morrisville levee
- NJ State CapitolPartners:
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 9/11 National Memorial Trail is a network of over 1,300 miles of trails connecting New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in tribute to the heroes who perished on September 11, 2001, and the heroes who, in response, answered the call for their country.
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
Past events
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