When hikers ask which trails in New Jersey are worth a full day — or several — the conversation always circles back to the same handful of routes. Below we've ranked the ten longest hiking trails in New Jersey by total mapped distance, drawing from the 15,992 trails OutsideAtlas currently tracks in the state. Each entry includes the distance, what makes the route distinctive, and an honest note on who should actually attempt it.
New Jersey runs from the Highlands (Kittatinny Ridge and Wawayanda) in the northwest to the Pine Barrens and the Jersey Shore — more topographic range than the state is credited with. The AT, Highlands Trail, and Batona Trail together provide hundreds of miles of formal long-distance routing. Spring and fall are best; summer humidity is significant; winter ice is common on Kittatinny Ridge.
Our rankings here are data-driven — pulled from the 15,992 mapped entries OutsideAtlas tracks in New Jersey — but the data has limits worth being honest about. OpenStreetMap distance tags are crowd-sourced and inconsistent. A route may appear longer or shorter than the official measurement, especially when long-distance trails (like state and national scenic trails) are tagged in segments rather than as a single relation.
The Ranking
Ranked from #1 to #10. Click through any entry for the full trail page — map, elevation profile, weather forecast, and direct OpenStreetMap source link.
#1. Stephanie and Fred Shuman Reservoir Running Track
At 1.60 mi, Stephanie and Fred Shuman Reservoir Running Track tops the list — a route built for hikers who plan in days, not hours. Expect 1.60 mi, fine_gravel surface on a forgiving grade. Local trail-association reports tend to agree this is one of the better-maintained options in the area, which matters more on a hike of this length than on a quick walk. A gravel-and-dirt tread holds up well after rain, though loose surface on descents calls for trekking poles or careful footing. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Stephanie and Fred Shuman Reservoir Running Track trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#2. Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway (South)
Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway (South) earns the #2 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect 148 ft of gain, concrete surface on a forgiving grade. The route is well documented in OpenStreetMap, which is what put it on our radar — community-mapped routes tend to be the ones that get hiked enough to stay open. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway (South) trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#3. Forge Ahead
Forge Ahead earns the #3 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect 328 ft of gain, dirt surface on a forgiving grade. It earns its ranking on the data, but trail conditions can change quickly after storms or fire seasons, so verify before you commit a full day. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Forge Ahead trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#4. 14th Street IRT Seventh Avenue Line-BMT Sixth Avenue Line Subway transfer
14th Street IRT Seventh Avenue Line-BMT Sixth Avenue Line Subway transfer earns the #4 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect asphalt surface on a forgiving grade. Compared to similar trails in New Jersey, this route trades difficulty for either solitude or scenery — sometimes both. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the 14th Street IRT Seventh Avenue Line-BMT Sixth Avenue Line Subway transfer trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#5. Blue Steel
Blue Steel earns the #5 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect 328 ft of gain, dirt surface on a forgiving grade. What makes this one earn its spot on the list is the combination of mapped detail and the kind of through-and-through experience that justifies a longer drive. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Blue Steel trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#6. Karamac One Mile Rail Trail (New York Susquehana and Western R.R. 1881 - 1940)
Karamac One Mile Rail Trail (New York Susquehana and Western R.R. 1881 - 1940) earns the #6 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Tagged easy in OpenStreetMap. Local trail-association reports tend to agree this is one of the better-maintained options in the area, which matters more on a hike of this length than on a quick walk. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Karamac One Mile Rail Trail (New York Susquehana and Western R.R. 1881 - 1940) trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#7. Informal Unmarked Rough Path from Pontiac Dr to Geoffrey Way
Informal Unmarked Rough Path from Pontiac Dr to Geoffrey Way earns the #7 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect dirt surface on a genuinely demanding grade. The route is well documented in OpenStreetMap, which is what put it on our radar — community-mapped routes tend to be the ones that get hiked enough to stay open. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Informal Unmarked Rough Path from Pontiac Dr to Geoffrey Way trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#8. Hoboken Newport Walkway – Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
Hoboken Newport Walkway – Hudson River Waterfront Walkway earns the #8 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect paved surface on a forgiving grade. It earns its ranking on the data, but trail conditions can change quickly after storms or fire seasons, so verify before you commit a full day. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Hoboken Newport Walkway – Hudson River Waterfront Walkway trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#9. Footpath between Littlebrook Road and Littlebrook School
Footpath between Littlebrook Road and Littlebrook School earns the #9 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect asphalt surface on a forgiving grade. Compared to similar trails in New Jersey, this route trades difficulty for either solitude or scenery — sometimes both. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Footpath between Littlebrook Road and Littlebrook School trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#10. Hoboken Newport Walkway- Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
Hoboken Newport Walkway- Hudson River Waterfront Walkway earns the #10 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect paving_stones surface on a forgiving grade. What makes this one earn its spot on the list is the combination of mapped detail and the kind of through-and-through experience that justifies a longer drive. Rocky tread punishes thin-soled shoes; bring stiff hikers and pace yourself on the descents to spare your knees. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Hoboken Newport Walkway- Hudson River Waterfront Walkway trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.Planning your New Jersey trip
A few pieces of context are worth keeping in mind specifically for New Jersey. Spring and fall are best; summer humidity is significant; winter ice is common on Kittatinny Ridge. Black bears in the Highlands, timber rattlesnakes in the Pine Barrens, and ticks (Lyme is endemic) statewide.
Always cross-reference the official land-manager page before driving out — closures, fire restrictions, and seasonal road access can change quickly. Our trail pages link directly back to the OpenStreetMap source so you can see the tags we're working from.
If you're new to hiking generally, our beginner's guide covers footwear, layering, and the day-pack basics. For safety planning on bigger objectives, the ten essentials guide is worth twenty minutes of reading.
More New Jersey hiking guides
If you found this useful, the rest of our New Jersey coverage continues below.
- Steepest trails in New Jersey — Hikes with the most elevation gain in the state.
- Best beginner hikes in New Jersey — Easy, well-marked trails for first-time hikers.
- Most challenging hikes in New Jersey — Expert-rated routes for experienced hikers only.
- Best national parks in New Jersey — Federal parks and recreation areas ranked.
- Best waterfall hikes in New Jersey — Trails leading to named falls, ranked by accessibility.
- Best dog-friendly hikes in New Jersey — Where leashed dogs are explicitly welcome.
- Best family hikes in New Jersey — Short, easy trails sized for kids and grandparents.
Rankings like this are starting points, not verdicts. Trail conditions change, new routes get tagged, and what was the toughest trail in New Jersey last year might not be next year. We refresh these articles when the underlying data shifts meaningfully.
Got a correction, a route we missed, or a question? Drop us a note via the contact page. We read every email and we'd rather hear it from you than miss it.
