Highlands and Sandy Hook Walk
Walk 14 miles over the Sandy Hook bridge out to Fort Hancock! Add 3.5miles for Fort Hancock loop at your option.
Date and time
Location
Henry Hudson Trail / Popamora Point
Shore Drive Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716Refund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 6 hours 30 minutes
Start & Finish: Popamora Point Park, Highlands, NJ - a loop walk.
Distance: 14 miles with an optional 3.5 for Fort Hancock loop and more if you want to grab a drink in the Atlantic Highlands. All choices you can make that day.
Optional endpoints: Walkers are free to 'turn around' anywhere they wish; walking to Carton Brewery in Atlantic Highlands and to the start adds 4.5 miles; lunch at Moby's - 2 miles short of the Popamora Point parking lot - is another option.
Terrain: pavement, some gravel/dirt, flat; level except for walking over the Sandy Hook Bridge.
Transit: NJ Transit 834 bus - check schedules.
Parking: Free at Popamora Point Park.
Difficulty: moderate challenge, average pace (which includes 'stop' time) will be about 3.0 , so walking pace about 3.25 - 3.50 mph. Bathroom facilities are available at the start and along the trail (the trail is managed by the National Park Service so these facilities should be open and available to us).
Pack: bug repellent, water, food; check and prepare for forecasted weather - sun, rain, wind, etc.
Category: nature, scenic, history and seashore
Coordinator: Cory Storch
We will walk through Highlands village to the Sandy Hook Bridge, use the bridge walkway onto Sandy Hook and the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path (MUP). The walk will take us unto the dune trail affording us the opportunity to walk the South Dune Trail, where we will experience a unique American Holly Forest with red cedar and black cherry trees sprinkled in. This is the largest forest of its kind on the East Coast and an important migratory stopover for birds.
Seven miles into the walk is one turn-around point (left turn) using the MUP heading south back to the start. Or we can continue north on a 3.5 loop through historic Fort Hancock, walking past Officers Row, World War 2 artillery batteries, the oldest standing lighthouse in the country, and more. We will stop at the History House, built in 1898 for a commissioned officer and his family, restored and furnished for the World War 2 period.
The return loop can either be directly on the MUP or the way we came which combined the Dune Trail, Fishing Beach Road and the MUP back to and over the Sandy Hook Bridge, THEN back to Popamora Point Park.
Atlantic Highlands Marina with great waterfront views of Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook and Carton Brewery are two post walk places to rehydrate and/or grab a bite to eat.
Highlights:
- Highlands, a gentrifying (for better and worse) fishing village
- South Dune Trail's unique ecosystem
- Historic Fort Hancock
- Sandy Hook Lighthouse
- Henry Hudson Trail's beautiful views along Raritan Bay (the optional add on to Atlantic Highlands).
More about FreeWalkers:
Our calendar of walks and hikes | About FreeWalkers | Walker stories | Walking tips
New Jersey walks | Pennsylvania walks | New York City walks
-
Frequently asked questions
Fluids(32 to 64 ounces), snacks or a small meal are recommended for most events. Some walks have planned stops for provisions. Depending on weather and route, you may consider a hat, sunscreen, extra socks, rain poncho, umbrella, insect repellent, first aid or foot care.
FreeWalkers mostly works with the weather the day provides, but occasionally an event will be rescheduled or cancelled if there is the expectation of substantial rainfall or dangerous conditions. Registrants will always be emailed of such changes. If no notice is provided, the walk is a go!
FreeWalkers are free to walk as much of the route as they choose. There are often optional endpoints where transit is available. Uber and other options can be considered. If you do leave the walk, it is best to let the walk coordinator know, so the group does not wait or look for you.
Most FreeWalks start and/or end at mass transit points for ease of access and return. If driving to the event, you often may park at the start and return, or park at the end and ride to the start. Check the event description for details.
Generally, yes, but pets and children may be less able to tolerate a longer distance. Walks that include indoor segments will require walkers with pets to wait outside, of course.
No need. You will be checked in at the event by providing your name.