- The Big Walk 2024 -- Metropark NJ to NYCMetropark Station, Iselin, NJ
Start: Metropark Station, Iselin, NJ
Finish: NY Penn Station
Distance: 28-50 miles
Where to find us: Parking lot south of the station
Optional endpoints: Newark Penn Station: 28mi, Jersey City PATH: 41mi
Mini: Metropark to Rahway Station (4mi)
Terrain: paved
Transit: NJ Transit to Metropark
Return: NJ Transit: Penn to Metropark
Parking: Parking at Metropark
Difficulty: Expert
Category: urban, scenic
Return: NJTransit train
Coordinator: David Ascher 973-715-1517Browse our 2023 calendar of events.
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.
As always, this walk primarily follows the East Coast Greenway. We walk from Metropark station in Iselin, NJ to Penn Station, NYC. This is a somewhat fast-paced walk generally 3.5-4.0 MPH.
This is our most diverse walk, from tranquil parks and rivers to friendly communities to industrial parks and cities - this one has it all. The walk is conveniently located near rail lines which makes using mass transit a plus. If you prefer, create your own challenge by jumping on or off the walk at various schedule points. It is self-guided so please be prepared in case you get separated from the group to manage yourself or get back to where you need to be.
Here are the 3 major segments of the walk. We suggest if you want to walk only part of the 50 mile total, join us that day roughly according to the scheduled time we expect to be there:- Segment 1 - Metropark to Cranford - 6:00 a.m. to 9:30-10:00 ETA (12 miles)
- Segment 2 - Cranford to Newark - 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (16 miles)
- Lunch is usually a stop at Boston Market in Union about 11-12 noon - straddle in.
- Segment 3 - Newark to NYC Penn Station - 5:00 - 11:00 (13 / 20 miles)
These are only estimates. Speed of walkers, weather and other conditions may affect arrivals and departures at various points.
This year again, The Big Walk is an important segment event for our Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge encompassing most of the miles of the 100 total goal for the year. Join the challenge and walk the entire state at your own pace for your own glory.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.
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. - Philly Freedom Tour - guided 11 to 15 mile historyThe Porch at 30th, Philadelphia, PA
Enjoy a slow-paced history-rich guided exploration of America's most walkable downtown.
Start: Porch at 30th St Station
Finish: Center City or 30th St
Distance: 11-15mi
Where to find us: Outside the south side of the station
Optional endpoints: Many
Terrain: paved
Transit: Septa, Amtrak or Megabus
Return: on foot or via Septa
Parking: Many lots and garages. Try 3101 Market St or Cira South Garage.
Difficulty: Beginner
Category: history, urban
Coordinator: Charles UpdikeBrowse our 2023 calendar of events.
Walk with us through the city of Brotherly Love and explore the scenery and oft-forgotten historic facets of a city that has shaped our modern world as much as any other. Where in history might one have seen the world's first steamboat, first computer, longest bridge, first television broadcast, first penitentiary, the tallest building, first department store, and much more? Join us and find out.
Arrive before 10am at the Porch at 30th Street Station to walk the Freedom Walk. This scenic 15-mile walk through Philadelphia explores several neighborhoods and parks and visits a multitude of historic and cultural landmarks including: Fairmount Park, Philadelphia Art Museum, Boathouse Row, City Hall, South Street, Penn's Landing, Reading Terminal Market, Chinatown, Independence Mall, Elfreth's Alley, Eastern State Penitentiary, Society Hill and more.
We will make a lunch stop at Reading Terminal and finish in the evening with cheesesteaks.
Free and open to public. Bring friends and family.Highlights:- Fairmount Waterworks- Art Museum - Eastern State Penitentiary- Ben Franklin Parkway- City Hall- Chinatown- Independence Hall- Liberty Bell- Christ Church - Elfreth's Alley- Race Street Pier- Penn's Landing- Spruce Street Harbor Park- South Street- Society Hill- Washington Square
and a lot more!Our walk will conclude in Center City with multiple easy transit options available.
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.![img](https://img.evbuc.com/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.evbuc.com%2Fimages%2F202424489%2F18195534357%2F1%2Foriginal.jpg?h=2000&w=720&auto=format%2Ccompress&q=75&sharp=10&s=5eb4cd9997a6b192bc41789b33f29bac)
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- Hudson River Loop WalkExchange Place, Jersey City, NJ
One of our biggest and most scenic FreeWalks of the year
Start: Exchange Place, Jersey City
Finish: World Trade Center
Distance: 10-30mi
Where to find us: On the plaza near the river
Optional endpoints: A smaller ten-mile loop using the New York Waterway Port Imperial/Weehawken ferry is an option. The #1 subway shadows the entire second half of the route for those unable to finish.
Terrain: paved
Transit: NJTransit to Newark with transfer to PATH train to Exchange Place
Return: PATH train
Difficulty: Advanced
Category: urban, scenic
Coordinator: Risa OlinskyPlease register here on Eventbrite for free.
Browse our 2023 calendar of events.
Walk 10 to 30 miles of Hudson River vistas! FREE walking event
Get moving! Be a part of our most popular event of the year. Cross the grand George Washington Bridge on foot. Visit the location where Alexander Hamilton dueled with Aaron Burr. Enjoy a day of sweeping vistas along the river on a pedestrian-friendly route while we support the preservation of our natural resources.
The Hudson River Loop Walk is a one-day 30-mile walk along the Hudson bordering NYC and NJ. We start at the PATH station at Exchange Place in Jersey City and continue north along a nearly continuous Hudson River Waterfront Walkway on the Jersey side to the George Washington Bridge. After the spectacular trip across the bridge, we connect to the Hudson River Greenway trail, head south and end at the World Trade Center. The ferry returns you to Exchange Place.
In the event you are unable to finish, You can take advantage of the Light Rail on the Jersey side and the MTA Broadway-Seventh Avenue local (#1 train) always nearby during the second half of the walk.
If you are not ready to tackle a 30-mile journey, take advantage of the NY Waterway ferry service. With departures every twenty minutes, NY Waterway provides a pleasant journey from Port Imperial/Weehawken to Pier 78 in Manhattan during the Hudson River Loop Walk for those walkers wishing to complete the shorter ten mile loop.OFFICIAL START is 8 a.m. Due to a large anticipated crowd, check-in, orientation, and free coffee and donuts, we advise you to arrive between 7 and 7:30. Raffle prizes will be drawn at 7:45, and you must be present to win.
There's an optional short detour up the bluffs to Weehawken to view the spot where Alexander Hamilton died in a duel with Aron Burr. The walk will also introduce to you the edgy architecture of Burdett's Landing, the roadside nests of Edgewater parrots, views from the George Washington Bridge, the Little Red Lighthouse, Manhattan's many riverside sculptures, the famous High Line elevated walkway, and many other curiosities.
Highlights:
- Hoboken
- Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
- Weehawken bluffs
- Hamilton Park
- Edgewater parrots
- Burdett's Landing
- George Washington Bridge
- Hudson River Greenway
- Midtown- High Line
- World Trade Center
- OcculusPartners:
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.![img](https://img.evbuc.com/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.evbuc.com%2Fimages%2F210199629%2F18195534357%2F1%2Foriginal.jpg?h=2000&w=720&auto=format%2Ccompress&q=75&sharp=10&s=43a4e766f3c1ad911525c03301ed19d9)
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- Lenape: The Origins WalkLocust Grove Parking Lot, Millburn, NJ
A physically challenging walk through the lands of indigenous people.
Start: parking lot across from Millburn Station
Finish: Newark Penn Station or Newark Broad St Station
Distance: 36mi
Transit: park at the start, return by train
Difficulty: Expert
Coordinator: Sharon Salmon
Optional endpoints: Branch Brook light railThis 36-mile walk starts in the parking lot not far from the train station in Millburn, NJ and follows an old marked trail called the "Lenape Trail" in beautiful South Mountain, Eagle Rock and Mills Reservations. It includes suburban towns such as West Orange, Montclair, Verona, Cedar Grove, Bloomfield, Nutley, and Belleville, and ends in urban Newark.
This event has always been both challenging and popular with the FreeWalkers. The walker is faced with about 70% wooded trail and 30% suburban and urban sidewalks and streets. The walk begins with some elevation and terrain.
As always, the walk is free and everyone is invited. Its name "Lenape" suggests honoring the Native American ancestors of our area on a day where we also honor the discovery of America and so named the "Origins Walk".
If you do leave the group at any time you are responsible for getting back on your own.
Highlights:
- South Mountain Reservation- Eagle Rock Reservation- Mills Reservation- West Orange- Montclair- Verona- Cedar Grove- Bloomfield- Nutley- Belleville- Branch Brook Park- Newark - Bucks County Greenway WalkTrenton Transit Center, Trenton, NJ
Join FreeWalkers on our first walk on the new Morrisville chunk of the East Coast Greenway, with stops for Amish goodies and water ice. Bring your appetite for this fun and casual summer walk.
Start: Trenton Transit Center
Finish: Levittown Station
Distance: 11-16mi
Where to find us: North lobby of the station
Optional endpoints: Levittown Station(8mi),Bristol Station(11mi)
Mini: Levittown Station(8mi)
Terrain: Gravel, paved and grassy shoulder
Transit: NJ Transit or Septa to Trenton
Return: Septa train or bus back to Trenton
Parking: Free parking at Levittown, $7 at Trenton RiverLine parking lot
Difficulty: Average
Category: urban, scenic
Coordinator: Charles UpdikeThe East Coast Greenway is finally completed from Trenton to Bristol, and we are going to walk it all. See new bits of Morrisville, Bristol, the canal and the Delaware waterfront they we have not travelled before, along with some familiar territory. We will travel the canal and Greenway and stop for lunch at the Amish Market in Bristol. Take the train back from Bristol, or continue with us along the waterfront with an alternate route back to Levittown, with ice cream and water ice at the very end of a pleasant summer walk. Bus or train back to Trenton from Levittown, or walk back if you dare!
Highlights:
Mill Hill Park
Old Barracks
NJ State Capitol
East Coast Greenway
Delaware River
Morrisville levee
Delaware and Lehigh Canal
Morrisville
Falls Township Community Park
Levittown
Bristol Amish Market
Mill Street
Bristol Wharf
Delaware Riverfront
Tullytown
Ice cream and water ice!
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.