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+)
See all- Bronx Coast to Coast WalkWest 231st Street & Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, NY
Walk from the Hudson River to the bay with us.
Start: Ewen Park, Bronx, 231 St and Riverdale Ave.
Finish: Pelham Bay
Distance: 18mi
Where to find us: W 231st and Riverdale Ave, by the benches at the entrance to Ewen Park
Terrain: paved
Transit: Take the A train to the last stop (207th St) and take a shuttle bus to 231st St. There will be signs at 207th to direct you.
Return: bus to train
Difficulty: Average
Category: urban, scenic
Coordinator: Ken KurlandBrowse our 2023 calendar of events.
Back by popular demand, a Bronx walking tale. Dip your feet in the Hudson and the Sound in the same day on the same walk. Your reward is drinks and lunch on City Island. FREE and open to everyone.
This 18-mile walk starts at the NW corner of Broadway and West 231st St at the W 231st St. stop of the #1 Train at 9:00. We will then head west towards the Hudson River and walk along a rural road that's the westernmost avenue closest to the river. Near the river we pass one of the Kennedy clan's homes and see where JFK spent a few years of his life overlooking the Hudson.
We will go to a tiny, hidden park on the other side of Metro North tracks where you can go right up to the river and dip your hands into it. Then we walk to the northernmost point of NYC and start heading east, including walking through Fieldston, a private neighborhood of mansions.
Along the way we'll pass the Russian Compound, owned by Russia (Or, maybe they have been thrown out?). We'll make our way to Van Cortland Park and follow the path of the East Coast Greenway. Along the path we'll pass a beautiful lake in the park.
We'll continue on Mosholu Parkway to Bronx Park, walking over the Bronx River. Then we'll make our way to Pelham Parkway, still on the East Coast Greenway, all the way to City Island (called the Seashore of the Bronx) and end at the end of City Island where we can eat and have beer at Johnny's Reef Restaurant, which has been there for at least 70 years!
We'll take a bus to the Pelham Bay stop of the No. 6 train, which you can take back into Manhattan.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.
- East Coast Greenway: Old Town Alexandria to Mt VernonOld Town, Alexandria, VA
Start: Alexandria VA
Finish: TBD
Distance: 20mi
Where to find us:
Optional endpoints:
Terrain: paved
Transit: Metro to Alexandria
Return:
Parking:
Difficulty: Average
Category: nature, history, scenic
Coordinator: Katey Lazarchik, Sarah Abedin
Browse our 2023 calendar of events.
Highlights include a tour of old Alexandria, Mount Vernon and the many attractions in its vicinity.
Starts in Old Town Alexandria, with its shopping, history, architecture and trendy atmosphere.
20 miles starting in Alexandria near the hotels and walking to Mount Vernon and to the Metro for a return trip to Alexandria.
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.
- Philly Mural Walking TourLOVE Park Visitor Center, Philadelphia, PA
Start and finish: Love Park outside Suburban Station
Distance: ~9mi
Where to find us: Love Park near 16th and JFK
Optional endpoints: Drop out when you like
Terrain: paved
Transit: Septa from Trenton and all other lines to Suburban Station
Return: on foot
Parking: multiple options
Difficulty: Beginner
Category: urban, theme
Coordinator: Charles UpdikeBrowse our 2023 calendar of events.
Wander with us as we gaze upon and briefly discuss approximately forty murals in and around Center City, with a couple surprises. Finish with an optional visit to the Magic Gardens.
More details to come.
Highlights:
- lots of murals
- a few surprises
- The Endless Summer WalkAberdeen-Matawan, Aberdeen Township, NJ
Start: Aberdeen Matawan train station
Finish: Asbury Park train station
Distance: 30mi
Where to find us: Parking lot south of the tracks
Optional endpoints: Long Branch train station: 23 miles
Terrain: paved, boardwalk, beach option
Transit: NJ Transit train to Aberdeen Matawan
Return: NJ Transit from Long Branch or Asbury Park
Parking: Ample parking at Matawan station
Difficulty: Advanced
Category: nature, seashore, scenic
Coordinator: TBDBrowse our 2023 calendar of events.
Highlights: Henry Hudson Trail, Mount Mitchill, Atlantic Highlands, Sea Bright, Long Branch, Asbury Park
Don't you wish summer would never end?
The FreeWalkers know that feeling well and we aim to push the boundaries of the season each year. This year we are declaring this to be our last summer day - and one that is sure to be a great one for a final summer-like walk.
The Endless Summer Walk is a unique long distance event along the interesting and beautiful New Jersey coast. We start at the Aberdeen/Matawan train station near Keyport in the bay area and work out way east to Sandy Hook then south along the ocean all the way down to Asbury Park for a total of 30 miles - all in one day. Great trails, beautiful views and a great ending in quirky and exciting Asbury Park. This makes for an easy ending as we take the train in Asbury back to Matawan to complete the day.
We are expected to be ending at the popular and extremely eccentric Johnny Mac's in Asbury Park, right across from the train station. It's a local very casual bar and favorite for years. Here's one review on it:
Love this bar!! Anytime I come to Asbury, we have to stop in to grab a drink. The atmosphere is awesome and with every drink you get, you also get a ticket for a free personal Pizza! They also have amazing quotes and random artifacts everywhere which helps with the awesome atmosphere.
