Find Your Connection
New Jersey
9 counties • 100+ trail miles • Two routes to Liberty State Park
Counties
Trail Miles
Partner Trails
Route Options
Gateway to Ground Zero
New Jersey serves as the critical link between the Pennsylvania section and the World Trade Center Memorial. The state offers two distinct routes—one from the northwest through the Delaware Water Gap, and another from the southwest through Trenton—both converging at Liberty State Park with its direct views of Lower Manhattan.
Trail users experience everything from the rolling hills of Sussex County to the urban greenways of Hudson County, all while honoring New Jersey's significant losses on September 11th.
Trail Map
Two routes converge at Liberty State Park, offering direct views of the Manhattan skyline and access to the World Trade Center Memorial.
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Route Options
Northern Route
From the Delaware Water Gap through Sussex, Warren, and Morris counties to Liberty State Park. This route offers more off-road trail miles.
Southern Route
From Trenton through Mercer and Middlesex counties via the D&R Canal, connecting to Liberty State Park through urban greenways.
Trail Segments
Delaware Water Gap
Warren CountyEnter New Jersey at the iconic Delaware Water Gap, where the Appalachian Trail crosses. The Liberty-Water Gap Trail begins here, offering a scenic rail-trail experience.
Key Highlights
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Appalachian Trail crossing
- Historic Columbia
Liberty-Water Gap Trail
Warren to Morris CountiesThis developing trail corridor follows the historic rail line through northwestern New Jersey's rolling countryside.
Key Highlights
- Paulinskill Valley Trail connection
- Historic Washington
- Jenny Jump State Forest
Paulinskill Valley & Sussex Branch
Sussex & Warren CountiesTwin rail-trails offer car-free riding through some of New Jersey's most scenic countryside.
Key Highlights
- Paulinskill Valley Trail (27 miles)
- Sussex Branch Trail (20 miles)
- Historic train stations
Trenton Connection
Mercer CountyThe southern route enters New Jersey at Trenton, the state capital, connecting from the Delaware Canal in Pennsylvania.
Key Highlights
- State Capitol complex
- Historic Trenton
- Delaware River views
D&R Canal Towpath
Mercer to Middlesex CountiesFollow the historic Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath through central New Jersey. This scenic route passes through Princeton and New Brunswick.
Key Highlights
- Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park
- Princeton University vicinity
- Historic villages
Morris Canal Greenway
Morris to Hudson CountiesThe developing Morris Canal Greenway follows the historic canal route toward the Hudson River.
Key Highlights
- Historic canal locks
- Suburban greenways
- Urban connections
Liberty State Park
Hudson CountyBoth routes converge at Liberty State Park, offering direct views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline including the World Trade Center Memorial site.
Key Highlights
- Statue of Liberty views
- Ellis Island views
- World Trade Center Memorial vista
- Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial
Partner Trails in New Jersey
The 9/11 Trail utilizes these established trail systems throughout New Jersey.
Trail Towns
Communities along the New Jersey route offer services, lodging, and local flavor.
Memorial Sites in New Jersey
Empty Sky Memorial
Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ — New Jersey's official 9/11 memorial featuring twin stainless steel walls inscribed with the names of the 746 New Jerseyans lost on September 11th.
Plan Your Visit →Discover the New Jersey Routes
Whether you ride the entire New Jersey section or explore a single segment, every mile honors the heroes of 9/11.