Sandy Hook Trail

This challenging 12.0-mile (19.4 km) jogging loop from Rumson takes you along the Henry Hudson Trail and the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path, offering a dynamic coastal experience. You'll enjoy views of Sandy Hook Bay, pass through a shady holly forest, and experience refreshing sea air. The route is generally flat, with only 107 feet (32 metres) of elevation gain, but its length makes it a demanding endurance run, typically taking around 2 hours and 1 minutes to complete.

To access this route, you'll connect to the Henry Hudson Trail, often via Popamora Point in Highlands. The Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path provides ample parking options and seasonal amenities like restrooms and food vendors. If you plan to bring your dog, remember they are welcome on bayside beaches year-round and oceanside beaches from September 15 to March 15, always on a leash.

Beyond the natural beauty, this trail is rich in history, guiding you past significant landmarks such as Fort Hancock and the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. The area is also a haven for wildlife, boasting over 300 species of migratory birds and the largest holly forest in the northeastern United States, making it a notable destination for nature lovers.