The Great Canal Walk: XNJ
Join us for 28 niles on one of Jersey's best trails on our way to New York City.
Date and time
Location
Turning Basin Park
Alexander Rd Princeton, NJ 08540Refund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 9 hours
Join us on one of Jersey's best trails on our way to New York City. Part of the 100-mile Cross-Jersey Challenge.
Start: Turning Basin Park, Princeton
Optional start: Trenton Transit Center (6am)
Finish: New Brunswick Station
Distance: 28/40mi
Where to find us: Meet at Turning Basin Park (or in Trenton by 6am sharp, or at Princeton Station by 9:30am.
Terrain: Mostly gravel
Transit: NJ Transit or Septa to Trenton or Princeton Station, with a short walk from Princeton Station to Turning Basin Park.
Return: NJ Transit rail
Parking: Free parking at Princeton Station, Turning Basin Park, or $7 parking at Trenton River Line parking lot across from the station.
Difficulty: Expert - a challenging distance
Category: nature
Coordinator: Charles Updike - 916-225-0569, or charlesupdike@gmail.com
(Optional ) Walk the full 40-mile walk starting early at 6 am in Trenton.
One of our best challenge walks. The route is generally quiet and remote, with few road crossings, a few portajohns along the way, and no provisions available on the route. Be sure to bring plenty of fluids and food for the journey.
(Landing Lane spillway is reconstructed and the full towpath is open.)
The FreeWalkers are again offering the Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge, with a goal of walking the 100 miles of the East Coast Greenway across the entire state at any time during the year. This walk is part of the ECG trail from Trenton to New York City. You have the option of completing the challenge over three to five days. Option 1: Complete the 40-mile Great Canal Walk from Trenton to New Brunswick in one day, or walk the Spring Ahead to Princeton and do the 28-mile Great Canal Walk from Princeton. Option 2: Complete the 50-mile Big Walk in one day, or walk 24 miles of the Big Walk to Elizabeth and complete the remaining 26 miles on the Staten Island Marathon Walk.
Highlights:
D & R Canal towpath
Spring 2025 Cross Jersey Challenge
Mar 22 Spring Ahead Walk (optional) 14mi
Apr 5 Great Canal Walk 28/40mi
Apr 27 Kruimer Walk 13mi
May 17 Paul's Big Walk 24/50mi
May 31 Staten Island Marathon Walk (optional) 22/26mi
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.
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.
The FreeWalkers are again offering the Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge, with a goal of walking the 100 miles of the East Coast Greenway across the entire state at any time during the year. This walk is part of the ECG trail from Trenton to New York City.
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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.