Spring is finally here and it’s time to wipe the dust off your bike in the garage and give it a quick tune-up before you hit the road. Despite being the most densely populated state in America, there are many great and safe places to ride your bike in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Department of Tourism has published a guide to help New Jerseyans find some great places to ride. Here are the ten recommendations from VisitNJ, the government’s tourism portal.

1. Sandy Hook Bike Path, Monmouth County

Pedal 8.7 miles along the Sandy Hook peninsula, and take in sea breezes and spectacular views of the ocean and maritime forests. This multi-use, asphalt trail also will lead to historic sites such as the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock.


2. Ocean City Boardwalk, Cape May County


Get moving, and bike along the expansive Ocean City boardwalk to get dramatic ocean views. Due to heavy pedestrian traffic during the summer, riding the boards is often restricted to 5 am until Noon, but be sure to check the permitted bike hours first.

3. Edgar Felix Memorial Bikeway, Monmouth County

On this 3.4-mile trail, you’ll pass by everything from residential neighborhoods to deep forests, ending at Allaire State Park. Here, you can explore the additional hiking trails, stop by the Historic Village at Allaire—a 19th century living history museum—or even stay overnight at one of the campsites.

4. Pine Barrens River Ramble, Atlantic and Burlington Counties

Explore the beauty of the Pinelands National Reserve on the Pine Barrens River Ramble, a 42.6-mile loop that winds through pine and oak forests, alongside blueberry and cranberry bogs and by three major rivers. The route begins at the parking area for Batsto Village, so be sure to explore this historic area before or after your ride.

Related News:   Pedestrian Critically Injured in Findlay Township Incident

5. Union Transportation Trail, Monmouth County

This “rail-trail” is a multi-use path created from a former railroad, offering a gravel pathway that passes by fields, forests and quaint rural scenery. Keep an eye out for horseback riders, joggers and fellow cyclists while you ride.

6. Henry Hudson Trail, Monmouth County

Take your pick from the Southern section or the Northern section of this 22.5-mile multi-surface trail, which passes through wooded areas, wetlands, fields and streams.

7. Cape May Shoreline Ride, Cape May County

Beginning and ending at the Cape May Lighthouse parking lot, this 46.4-mile loop takes bikers through charming Cape May, past Victorian homes, barrier island shore communities, beaches, boardwalks and wetlands.

8. Allamuchy Mountain State Park, Warren County

This forested park features more than 14 miles of marked trails and 20 miles of unmarked trails for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. See all the biking trails with this trail map.

9. Kittatinny Valley State Park, Sussex County

Forests, wetlands, swamps, fields—the terrain is diverse in this sprawling state park, offering eight miles of mountain biking trails, in addition to two rail-trails: the 27.1-mile Paulinskill Valley Trail or the 18-mile Sussex Branch Trail.

10. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, Burlington and Middlesex Counties

Following the towpath of a canal, this 70-mile+ pathway connects a number of towns along the way, running past 1800s bridges, cobblestone spillways, hand-built stone culverts and other unique architectural relics.

Contents of this article are provided by VisitNJ.org and republished works in the public domain.

You appear to be using an ad blocker

Shore News Network is a free website that does not use paywalls or charge for access to original, breaking news content. In order to provide this free service, we rely on advertisements. Please support our journalism by disabling your ad blocker for this website.