Hudson River Loop Walk

One of our biggest and most scenic FreeWalks of the year

Start: Exchange Place, Jersey City

Finish: World Trade Center

Distance: 10-30mi

Where to find us: On the plaza near the river

Optional endpoints: A smaller ten-mile loop using the New York Waterway Port Imperial/Weehawken ferry is an option.  The #1 subway shadows the entire second half of the route for those unable to finish.  

Terrain: paved

Transit: NJTransit to Newark with transfer to PATH train to Exchange Place

Return: PATH train

Difficulty: Advanced

Category: urban, scenic

Coordinator:  Risa Olinsky

Walk 10 to 30 miles of Hudson River vistas! FREE walking event

Get moving! Be a part of our most popular event of the year. Cross the grand George Washington Bridge on foot. Visit the location where Alexander Hamilton dueled with Aaron Burr. Enjoy a day of sweeping vistas along the river on a pedestrian-friendly route while we support the preservation of our natural resources.

The Hudson River Loop Walk is a one-day 30-mile walk along the Hudson bordering NYC and NJ. We start at the PATH station at Exchange Place in Jersey City and continue north along a nearly continuous Hudson River Waterfront Walkway on the Jersey side to the George Washington Bridge. After the spectacular trip across the bridge, we connect to the Hudson River Greenway trail, head south and end at the World Trade Center. The ferry returns you to Exchange Place.

In the event you are unable to finish, You can take advantage of the Light Rail on the Jersey side and the MTA Broadway-Seventh Avenue local (#1 train) always nearby during the second half of the walk.

If you are not ready to tackle a 30-mile journey, take advantage of the NY Waterway ferry service. With departures every twenty minutes, NY Waterway provides a pleasant journey from Port Imperial/Weehawken to Pier 78 in Manhattan during the Hudson River Loop Walk for those walkers wishing to complete the shorter ten mile loop.

Thanks to the progress on the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway on the Jersey side and the well-established Hudson River Greenway on the New York side, we will enjoy a route friendly to pedestrians and cyclists, and complete a loop with virtually no interaction with traffic and just a few streets to cross.

OFFICIAL START is 8 a.m. Due to a large anticipated crowd, check-in, orientation, and free coffee and donuts, we advise you to arrive between 7 and 7:30. Raffle prizes will be drawn at 7:45, and you must be present to win.

There's an optional short detour up the bluffs to Weehawken to view the spot where Alexander Hamilton died in a duel with Aron Burr. The walk will also introduce to you the edgy architecture of Burdett's Landing, the roadside nests of Edgewater parrots, views from the George Washington Bridge, the Little Red Lighthouse, Manhattan's many riverside sculptures, the famous High Line elevated walkway, and many other curiosities.

This walk is organized by FreeWalkers.org and supported by the Hudson River Walkway Conservancy, &  East Coast Greenway Alliance .

Click here for the Hudson River Walkway Walking Directions (NJ side)

Bring your friends and family to a memorable walk with many spectacular views. This is among the most highly rated walks in the region and always draws a big crowd.

Highlights:

- Hoboken

- Hudson River Waterfront Walkway

- Weehawken bluffs

- Hamilton Park

- Edgewater parrots

- Burdett's Landing

- George Washington Bridge

- Hudson River Greenway

- Midtown- High Line

- World Trade Center

- Occulus

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. 

The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway is a spectacular pathway on the western shore of the Hudson River in New Jersey. The Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy is dedicated to monitoring the completion and maintenance of the 18.5 linear mile plan while preserving the scenic value the Walkway. Your donations help make this spectacular walkway even better. 

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.