What we’re about
**FreeWalkers.org** is a social network dedicated to exploring life on foot, for walkers and hikers interested in participating in long-distance walking events in the Mid-Atlantic region. Membership is free and open to everyone. We support each member's effort to reach their own goals of fitness and enjoyment as we walk together, explore our surroundings, and promote pro-pedestrian interests.
FreeWalkers has thousands of members and hosts dozens of long-distance walking events each year in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as many in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Most walks are supported by mass transit for easy access and return, and are between ten and fifty miles in length. Some walks are longer multi-day or shorter distance events. We have all kinds of walks, but we are most known for our longer distance walking events. Some of our walks offer shorter 5k to 10k options.
Walkers are free to move at their own pace and distance. It is not necessary for a walk to be completed or timed, only enjoyed. Our walks expose members to countless locations of scenic beauty, historic importance, and pedestrian convenience, all with the benefit of social support, event organization and the opportunity to engage with interesting fellow walkers.
We are an IRS-approved 501(c)3 non-profit and your tax-free donations help us create free and low-cost walks that are interesting, challenging and open to everyone. We manage multiple regional FreeWalkers groups on Meetup. We do encourage joining freewalkers.org and actively supporting our partners and sponsors who help make these events possible. At our website, you can browse photos of our events, learn about our history and mission, and read about the experiences of some of our walkers.
Look for our many walks every year in greater New York City, many parts of New Jersey including Hudson, Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Union, Morris, Monmouth, Mercer and Burlington County; Southeastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery County; Delaware and greater Washington DC. Join us on nature hikes, city walks, history walking tours, long-distance walks, scenic walks and themed walking outings.
Why you might like to join the FreeWalkers:
• Did you ever wonder how far you could walk?
• Would you like to know more about the places you walk?
• Are you more interested in accomplishing personal goals than winning a race?
• Are you the type of person who can't pass up an interesting challenge or adventure?
• Have you ever longed to get out of your car and experience what a community is really like?
• Do you believe you spend nearly as many calories walking as running but over a longer period of time?
• Are you looking for a sport where social interaction is possible?
• Are you looking for an alternative exercise routine that's both easy on the body and builds endurance?
We look forward to seeing you at our next event. Walk the Walk! It's good for you, good for us and good for the greater community. Get out there for your first FreeWalk, and you will be glad that you did.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- USA250: Second Congress Walking TourLove Park, Philadelphia, PA
Historic walking tour celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress, the first unified move towards independence.
Please register for FREE to attend.
Start and finish: Love Park, northeast corner of 16th and JFK, across from Suburban Station.
Distance: ~8mi
Where to find us: Near 16th and JFK
Optional endpoints: Many
Terrain: paved
Transit: Septa Suburban Station or walk or ride from Amtrak 30th St Station
Parking: Love Park parking garage, many options a few blocks west of Love Park
Difficulty: Beginner
Category: history, urban, theme
Coordinator: Charles UpdikeJoin us as we remember and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the convening of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, who addressed the growing revolution and produced and ratified the Declaration of Independence.
A tour of historic Philadelphia will provide context for the conditions of life in America and Philadelphia in 1775, that state of the Revolutionary War, and the grievances of the colonists. The location of the Congress at Independence Hall will be visited, along with other historic sites, and the Declaration of Independence produced by the Second Continental Congress, will be read.
We will finish with an optional stop for coffee and grub at Federal Donuts.
This is another in a series of many experiential walks to be hosted by FreeWalkers in the next few years in celebration of the American Semiquincentennial.
More details to come!
Highlights:
- Independence Hall
- Liberty Bell
- Carpenters' Hall
- Franklin Court
- Independence Visitor Center
- other points of interest
More about FreeWalkers:
Our calendar of walks and hikes | About FreeWalkers | Walker stories | Walking tips
New Jersey walks | Pennsylvania walks | New York City walks - Underground Railroad FreeWalk: PhiladelphiaLove Park, Philadelphia, PA
Juneteenth walking history tour of Underground Railroad and related sites in the city of Philadelphia
Please register for FREE to attend.
Start: Love Park, 16th and JFK, near Suburban Station
Finish: Chestnut Hill East Station or Love Park
Distance: 6-20mi
Where to find us: near 16th and JFK
Optional endpoints: Many, including return to Su
Mini: 10K (6mi) loop back to Love Park
Terrain: paved, gravel
Transit: Septa to Suburban Station
Return: Septa Regional Rail
Parking: Love Park, Family Court Building, nearby garages
Difficulty: Beginner(short) to Advanced(full length)
Category: nature, history, urban, theme
Coordinator: Charles UpdikeTravel on foot as many Underground passengers did, learn about the history of the abolitionist movement in Philadelphia that helped to spawn the Underground Railroad, and the local routes moving people through the Philadelphia region, visit an Underground Railroad museum, and finish with an escape from the city as many did along the Old Baltimore Pike.
Complete the short loop walk, or travel further with a visit to the museum, admission not included, perhaps a lunch stop, and return to the start by train.
Highlights:
- Octavio Catto memorial
- Paschall Alley
- St Georges Church
- Arch Street Wharf
- Front and Market
- Anthony Benezet Home
- Lucretia Mott home
- Pennsylvania Hall
- Liberty Bell
- President's house
- Washington Square
- Mother Bethel AME Church
- James Forten House
- William Still house
- W E B DuBois mural
- Frances Ellen Watkins Harper House
FULL ROUTE includes:
- Belmont Mansion
- Underground Railroad Museum
- Johnson House
- Cliveden
- Old Baltimore Pike
Partners:
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.More about FreeWalkers:
Our calendar of walks and hikes | About FreeWalkers | Walker stories | Walking tips
New Jersey walks | Pennsylvania walks | New York City walks - Paul's Big Walk: XNJMetropark Train Station , iselin, NJ
A rigorous and beautiful 50-mile walk along the East Coast Greenway for those seeking a challenge. Part of the 100-mile Cross-Jersey Challenge. This was the walk that launched FreeWalkers in 2010. We've renamed it to celebrate and is now called Paul's BIG WALK!
Please register for FREE to attend.
Start: MetroPark Station Metropark Station, Iselin, NJ
Finish: NY Penn Station
Distance: 24-50 miles
Where to find us: Near the ticket office
Optional endpoints: Rahway: 4mi, Elizabeth: 24mi, Newark Penn Station: 28mi, Jersey City PATH: 41mi, many other rail stations and options.
Mini: Metropark to Rahway Station (4mi)
Terrain: paved, neighborhoods with some hills and roadway crossings.
Transit: NJ Transit to Metropark leaves Penn Station at 5:10 am. From other locations, please check your schedule to arrive by 6 am.
Return: NJ Transit: NYPenn to Metropark
Parking: Parking at Metropark Station
Difficulty: Expert
Category: urban, scenic
Return: NJTransit train
Coordinator: David Ascher
A rigorous and beautiful 50-mile walk along the East Coast Greenway for those seeking a challenge. Turn-by-turn directions will be provided. The group does not stay together along the route. Walk as slow or as fast as you choose and do as much as you can. There are many rest stops for bathrooms and snacks, but it is recommended that you carry the basics - drinks, food and clothing for whatever weather may be on that day.
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: Merrill Park, Nomahegan Park, Rahway River Parkway, Weequahic Park, Ironbound, Lincoln Park, Liberty State Park, Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline views, Hudson River Greenway.
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 Big Walk 24/50mi
May 31 Staten Island Marathon Walk (optional) 22/26miPartners:
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 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.
- Walk the City: Van Cortlandt Park to Tarrytown and Untemyer Gardens!Needs location
Meetup friends:
This is a very special 15-mile walk through city streets and beautiful parks ending in Tarrytown, NY - a lovely small town.
All details and registration here: Eventbrite link where you will find all the details for the day.This may seem unusual, but it's going to be a big group and we'd like to keep the roster all in once place.
