What we're about
FreeWalkers.org is a social network dedicated to exploring life on foot. We encourage everyone to walk but are most known for our longer distance walking events. Our group membership is free and open to everyone and most events are free too. We encourage each member to accomplish challenging goals as we work together, experience, and promote pro-pedestrian issues.
We are an IRS-approved 501(c)3 non-profit. We appreciate your tax-free donations to us which helps us create low-cost interesting and challenging walks open to everyone.
Started in 2010, we now have over 2,000 members and organize dozens of walks each year throughout the Northeast and overseas. We do encourage joining (http://freewalkers.org) and actively supporting our partners and sponsors who help make these events possible.
Why you might like to join the FreeWalkers:
- Did you ever wonder how far you could walk?
Do you like to walk with others but at your own pace?
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 and/or adventure?
Would you like to know more about the places you walk?
Do you ever wish you could get out of your car and see 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?
If you agree with even a few of the above questions you might want to join us for one of our many events. Each event is carefully planned, uses mass transportation where possible for entry/exit points, however some walks may be accessible by car only. Most events cost nothing, but we always welcome donations and recognizes the importance of each individual's effort regardless of how many miles they accomplish.
Whether you are a participant, sponsor or partner we welcome you to the FreeWalkers and look forward to walking with you. Walk the Walk! It's good for you, good for us and good for the greater community.
Upcoming events (4+)
This is a 7-mile walk through Liberty State Park with great view of the New York skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and birds in tidal flats.
This is one of the monthly Everwalk walks occurring across the country and around the world . More information about my walks can be found at https://everwalk.com/groups/?everwalk-jersey-city/ and more info on EverWalk can be found at www.EverWalk.com and on the EverWalk Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EverWalkNation/.
Meet at The Central Railroad of NJ building across from the Empty Sky Memorial. Here is a link to more info about the railroad building: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/crnj-terminal-jersey-city-nj/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=new-jersey&utm_campaign=newsletter&lctg=0000000001555251&utm_content=nlbuttonB1
There is free parking on Freedom Way and $7 parking on Audrey Zapp Drive. There is also free 2-hour parking on Audrey Zapp Drive.
- David A.
- Cynthia
- Karen
- 11 attendees
Cross that bridge and see all the best of the Brooklyn you have missed.
Start: Oculus Center, Greenwich St, New York City
Finish: Industry City, Brooklyn
Distance: 12mi
Where to find us: In the middle of the Oculus Center
Optional endpoints: multiple subway stations
Terrain: paved
Transit: NJ Transit to Newark and PATH to WTC; A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, R, and W subways to WTC
Return: subway R train
Difficulty: Average
Category: history, urban, scenic
Coordinator: Marcella Scire
Browse our 2023 calendar of events.
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot is a scenic and exceptional pedestrian experience. Walk with us around Brooklyn. Walk past numerous Brooklyn icons including Junior's Restaurant, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Williamsburg Savings Bank Tower, Barclays Center and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch. Explore Prospect Park and get to know the prominent figures, artistic stone work and history of Green-Wood Cemetery. Finish in Industry City with a Brooklyn-style nosh with fellow walkers.
Restrooms are available in the WTC North Concourse, in McLaughlin Park on Tillary Street at Jay Street, in Prospect Park at Lincoln Road, in Green-Wood Cemetery's main entrance, and in Industry City.
Subway drop-out points are available along the route. Anyone who wishes to end after Green-Wood may catch the R, N, or D train at Fourth Avenue and 36th Street.
Highlights:
- St. Paul’s Chapel
- City Hall Park
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Prospect Park
- Green-Wood Cemetery
- Industry City
- Marcella
- lauren
- Arnulfo P.
- 49 attendees
Explore Sandy Hook and Fort Hancock with food and ale after.
Start and finish: Popamora Point Park, Highlands NJ
Distance: 14 mi, add 3.5 mi for Fort Hancock loop.
Optional endpoints:- Carton Brewery in Atlantic Highlands , add 4.5 miles out and back.
Terrain: paved, gravel, dirt
Transit: NJ Transit 834 bus
Parking: Parking is free at Popamora Point Park. The brewery has plenty of street parking.
Difficulty: Average
Category: nature, seashore, scenic
Coordinator: Cory Storch
Browse our 2023 calendar of events.
Enjoy sun and shade, nature and history along the northernmost stretch of the Jersey Shore.
From the start, walk 2 miles through Highlands village to the Highlands – Sandy Hook Bridge. Take the west bound bridge walkway and then turn north into Sandy Hook. The pedestrian ramp will take you onto the Sandy Hook Multi-use Path (MUP). Be sure to bring adequate fluids for this stretch, as provisions along the way are limited. Walk about 4 miles (bathrooms available at pavilions along the way) and turn right onto the Fishing Beach Road. Just before the beach, turn left onto the dune trail. Walk through infrequently traveled South Dune Trail, where you will find a unique American Holly Forest with red cedar and black cherry trees sprinkled in. This is the largest forest of its kind on the East Coast and an important migratory stopover for birds. 7 miles is one turn-around point (left turn) using the MUP heading south. Or continue north on a 3.5 loop through historic Fort Hancock, walking past Officers Row, World War 2 artillery batteries, the oldest standing lighthouse in the country, and more. Return either on the MUP or the way we came which combined the Dune Trail, Fishing Beach Road and the MUP back to and over the Highlands- Sandy Hook Bridge. Moby's by the bridge has food and bathrooms. Then back to Popamora Point Park. Back at Popamora Park, add two more miles with a scenic water front stroll on the Henry Hudson Trail to Atlantic Highlands Marina with great waterfront views of Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook . For Carton Brewery, turn left onto First Ave. In an quarter mile turn left onto Washington. Carton Brewery (one of the best in New Jersey) will be on your left. Then two miles plus back to Popamora Point Park. Or drive to the brewery from Popamora Park if you prefer not to do the 4.5 mile out and back walk from Popamora Pint to Carton and back.
Stop for food and drink in Highlands at Moby's or afterwards with us at Carton Brewery. Bring plenty of water and a hat. Hiking boots not necessary.
Highlights:
- Highlands, a gentrifying (for better and worse) fishing village
- South Dune Trail's unique ecosystem
- Historic Fort Hancock
- Sandy Hook Lighthouse
- Henry Hudson Trail's beautiful views along Raritan Bay (the optional add on to Atlantic Highlands)
- Risa O.
- Geri M.
- Karen
- 28 attendees
Get ready to walk the Croton Aqueduct, yes, the whole thing!
Start: Croton on Hudson NY
Finish: Midtown Manhattan
Distance: 43mi
Where to find us: Croton Harmon Metro North Station
Optional endpoints: several train stations
Terrain: gravel, paved, dirt
Transit: carpool from Croton Harmon Metro North Station
Parking: Croton Harmon Metro North Station
Difficulty: Expert
Category: history, urban, scenic
Coordinator: Bob Wallace
Browse our 2023 calendar of events.
Join this test of endurance as we tackle the 43 mile path of the Old Croton Aqueduct!
We meet at the Croton Harmon Metro North Station at 7:40 and either car pool or cab up to the New Croton Dam. As soon as everyone gets to the Dam, we begin our walk by crossing and starting down the Aqueduct trail. We'll pass through Ossining, Scarborough, Tarrytown, Irvington, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings, and Yonkers for the Westchester portion, before continuing through Yonkers, Van Cortland Park, Kings Bridge, Fordham, University Heights,and Morris Heights before crossing the High Bridge into Manhattan. We'll venture further south on Amsterdam Ave to 96th Street, entering Central Park, crossing through and exiting near the Plaza on 5th Ave for the final euphoric mile to the NY Public Library at 42nd Street.
This will be a quick paced hike, with bathroom stops as necessary, but eating "on the run". Please bring water and snacks. Text "OCA hike" with your name and questions to[masked] for more details.
- Bob W.
- lauren
- Arnulfo P.
- 24 attendees
Past events (414)
- Charles U.
- Y.
- 2 attendees
