What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- Highlands and Sandy Hook WalkPopamora Point, Highlands, NJ
Please register for FREE to attend.
Start & Finish: Popamora Point Park, Highlands, NJ - a loop walk.
Distance: 14 miles with an optional 3.5 for Fort Hancock loop and more if you want to grab a drink in the Atlantic Highlands. All choices you can make that day.
Optional endpoints: Walkers are free to 'turn around' anywhere they wish; walking to Carton Brewery in Atlantic Highlands and to the start adds 4.5 miles; lunch at Moby's - 2 miles short of the Popamora Point parking lot - is another option.
Terrain: pavement, some gravel/dirt, flat; level except for walking over the Sandy Hook Bridge.
Transit: NJ Transit 834 bus - check schedules.
Parking: Free at Popamora Point Park.
Difficulty: moderate challenge, average pace (which includes 'stop' time) will be about 3.0 , so walking pace about 3.25 - 3.50 mph. Bathroom facilities are available at the start and along the trail (the trail is managed by the National Park Service so these facilities should be open and available to us).
Pack: bug repellent, water, food; check and prepare for forecasted weather - sun, rain, wind, etc.
Category: nature, scenic, history and seashore
Coordinator: Cory Storch
We will walk through Highlands village to the Sandy Hook Bridge, use the bridge walkway onto Sandy Hook and the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path (MUP). The walk will take us unto the dune trail affording us the opportunity to walk the South Dune Trail, where we will experience 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.Seven miles into the walk is one turn-around point (left turn) using the MUP heading south back to the start. Or we can 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. We will stop at the History House, built in 1898 for a commissioned officer and his family, restored and furnished for the World War 2 period.
The return loop can either be directly on the MUP or the way we came which combined the Dune Trail, Fishing Beach Road and the MUP back to and over the Sandy Hook Bridge, THEN back to Popamora Point Park.
Atlantic Highlands Marina with great waterfront views of Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook and Carton Brewery are two post walk places to rehydrate and/or grab a bite to eat.
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).
More about FreeWalkers:
Our calendar of walks and hikes | About FreeWalkers | Walker stories | Walking tips
New Jersey walks | Pennsylvania walks | New York City walks - Paul's Big Walk: XNJMetropark Train Station , iselin, NJ
A rigorous and beautiful 50-mile walk along the East Coast Greenway for those seeking a challenge. Part of the 100-mile Cross-Jersey Challenge. This was the walk that launched FreeWalkers in 2010. We've renamed it to celebrate and is now called Paul's BIG WALK!
Please register for FREE to attend.
Start: MetroPark Station Metropark Station, Iselin, NJ
Finish: NY Penn Station
Distance: 24-50 miles
Where to find us: Parking lot south of the station
Optional endpoints: Rahway: 4mi, Elizabeth: 24mi, Newark Penn Station: 28mi, Jersey City PATH: 41mi, many other rail stations and options.
Mini: Metropark to Rahway Station (4mi)
Terrain: paved, neighborhoods with some hills and roadway crossings.
Transit: NJ Transit to Metropark leaves Penn Station at 5:10 am. From other locations, please check your schedule to arrive by 6 am.
Return: NJ Transit: NYPenn to Metropark
Parking: Parking at Metropark Station
Difficulty: Expert
Category: urban, scenic
Return: NJTransit train
Coordinator: David Ascher
A rigorous and beautiful 50-mile walk along the East Coast Greenway for those seeking a challenge. Turn-by-turn directions will be provided. The group does not stay together along the route. Walk as slow or as fast as you choose and do as much as you can. There are many rest stops for bathrooms and snacks, but it is recommended that you carry the basics - drinks, food and clothing for whatever weather may be on that day.
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: Merrill Park, Nomahegan Park, Rahway River Parkway, Weequahic Park, Ironbound, Lincoln Park, Liberty State Park, Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline views, Hudson River Greenway.
Spring 2025 Cross Jersey Challenge
Mar 22 Spring Ahead Walk (optional) 14mi
Apr 5 Great Canal Walk 28/40mi
Apr 27 Kruimer Walk 13mi
May 17 Big Walk 24/50mi
May 31 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.
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.
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.
- Black River Trail HikeCooper Gristmill, Chester, NJ
Please register for FREE to attend.
This hike is moderately challenging with 675 feet of elevation gain. Bring snacks and plenty of water. We’ll hike along the Black River through forest and open fields. The route is mostly on trail with one short stretch where we’ll be walking along the road.
After the hike, whoever is interested is welcome to join us across the street at the Old Mill Tavern Restaurant for a bite, on your own tab.Start/Finish: Meet at the Cooper Mill County Park Parking Lot
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UrRgikqdWhxEWEmZA
Distance: approx. 6 mi
Terrain: Rocky. Poles recommended.
Transportation: Best reached by car.
Parking: Plenty of free parking.
Difficulty: Moderate, some hiking experience is required.
Category: nature, history, river, scenic
Coordinator: Joan NetskyA useful map covering our hike is available from Morris County Park Commission:
https://www.morrisparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/TrailMap_CMEKC.pdfMore about FreeWalkers:
Our calendar of walks and hikes | About FreeWalkers | Walker stories | Walking tips
New Jersey walks | Pennsylvania walks | New York City walks
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