Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath Walk and Cycle

The Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail stretches from New Brunswick all the way north to Frenchtown, making it the longest continuous multi-use corridor in New Jersey. For much of its length it occupies the original towpath of the canal dug in the early 1830s to carry coal, iron and farm produce between the Delaware and Raritan rivers, then switches to the old Belvidere Delaware Railroad bed north of Trenton. The surface is predominantly crushed stone, firm and level, suitable for walkers, runners, cyclists, cross-country skiers and even horseback riders in designated sections.
Markers at each half-mile along the route help you track your progress, and the linear nature of the trail means you can choose any segment to suit your plans. In the southern half you pass through urban and suburban landscapes—skirting Rutgers University, crossing under major highways and threading through small locks and aqueducts—while beyond Princeton the scenery opens into farm fields, woodlands and meadows along the canal’s tree-shaded banks.
Historic canal structures remain as reminders of the waterway’s industrial past: you’ll see original stone lock chambers, brick pumping stations and iron swing bridges still in place. Near Stockton and Washington you cross the Delaware River on restored canal aqueducts, offering wide views over the river valley and drawing kayakers and canoeists to the water below.
Operated as part of the D&R Canal State Park by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk. Trailheads in towns like Griggstown, Princeton and Lambertville provide parking, restrooms and picnic spots, while smaller access points offer benches and fishing overlooks. Its gentle grade and firm footing mean the Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail is equally enjoyed as a long-distance challenge or a short, historic riverside stroll.
Look out for wildlife including beaver, deer, water birds, hawks, eagles, turtles and snakes.

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