Ride The River Loop
A Guide to Hunterdon & Bucks Biking Trails
From canal towpaths and converted rail trails to lakeside loops and mountain terrain, there are miles to explore across Hunterdon and Bucks on two wheels. Whether you’re looking for an easy family ride, a long stretch along the river, or something a little more challenging, we gathered some of the best places to ride throughout The River Loop.
This guide focuses on designated trails, towpaths, and bike paths rather than on-road cycling routes, making it easy to find places to ride away from everyday street traffic. And the ride is only the beginning. Many of these trails lead right into towns filled with coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, boutiques, antiques, and plenty of reasons to make a full day of it.
Trail conditions, access, and closures can change, so always check current conditions and official park or trail information before heading out. We recommend doing your own research to plan your route, familiarize yourself with the terrain, and determine whether a trail is appropriate for your experience and ability. Routes vary in terrain and difficulty; always ride at your own risk.
COLUMBIA TRAIL | HIGH BRIDGE
Approx. 15 miles | Crushed stone + gravel | Easy
Best for: Rail-trail riding, families + longer rides. Beginning right in downtown High Bridge, the Columbia Trail follows a former rail corridor toward Califon and beyond, winding through wooded stretches and along the South Branch of the Raritan River. Choose your distance, turn around when you’re ready, and head right back into town. The full trail is approximately 15 miles.
MAKE IT A DAY
Finish the ride right in the heart of High Bridge, where there’s plenty waiting off the trail. Grab coffee, settle in for lunch or dinner, stop for a local brew, browse the shops and antique finds, or finish with homemade ice cream.
LANDSDOWN TRAIL | CLINTON
Approx. 1.5 miles for the core trail | Multi-use | Easy
Best for: Casual rides, beginners + families. Beginning near downtown Clinton, the mostly flat Landsdown Trail follows a former rail corridor through woods and farmland. For riders looking for more mileage and varied terrain, it can be combined with the surrounding trail system.
MAKE IT A DAY
Head back into Clinton for coffee, lunch or dinner, browse the independent shops along Main Street, stop for ice cream, visit the Red Mill and Hunterdon Art Museum, or simply explore one of Hunterdon County’s most picturesque downtowns.
D&R CANAL TOWPATH | RIVER TOWNS
Crushed + packed stone | Easy | Best for: River riding, families + choose-your-own-distance rides.
FRENCHTOWN → STOCKTON → LAMBERTVILLE
One of the quintessential River Loop rides, the D&R Canal Towpath follows the Delaware and connects some of Hunterdon County’s best-known river towns. The entire state park offers more than 70 miles of wide, flat multi-use pathway, with numerous access points along the way.
MILFORD → FRENCHTOWN
Ride along the river into Frenchtown, explore downtown, grab coffee or lunch, then hop back on the towpath for the return.
FRENCHTOWN → STOCKTON
A longer river ride with plenty of scenery along the way. Stop in Stockton for something to eat, explore town, and head back north when you’re ready.
STOCKTON → LAMBERTVILLE
Follow the towpath south into Lambertville, then park the bikes for lunch, shopping, coffee, drinks, or an afternoon exploring town before riding back.
LAMBERTVILLE → NEW HOPE
Two states. Two towpaths. One ride. Cross the Delaware and combine the New Jersey and Pennsylvania canal systems. Official park information specifically identifies multiple loop routes connecting the two states by bridge.
FRENCHTOWN PRESERVE | FRENCHTOWN
Less than 5 miles | Mountain biking | Easy | Best for: Beginner mountain bikers + families.
A network of wooded trails near Frenchtown, the Preserve offers a shorter introduction to riding in the woods and a completely different experience from the nearby towpath.
MAKE IT A DAY
Head into Frenchtown after your ride for coffee, lunch or dinner, browse the shops, walk along the Delaware, stop for a drink, or spend the afternoon exploring town.
ROUND VALLEY RECREATION AREA | LEBANON
1–8+ miles depending on route | Easy–Advanced | Best for: Family rides + mountain biking.
Round Valley offers very different experiences depending on the trail you choose, from approachable recreational riding to considerably more challenging terrain for experienced mountain bikers.
MAKE IT A DAY
After the ride, make the short trip into Clinton or Flemington for lunch, shopping, coffee, ice cream, or dinner downtown.
VOORHEES STATE PARK | GLEN GARDNER
Mixed terrain | Moderate | Best for: Mountain biking + adventurous riders.
Wooded trails and varied terrain make Voorhees a good choice for riders looking for something beyond a flat recreational path.
HORSESHOE BEND PARK | KINGWOOD TOWNSHIP
Approx. 10 miles of trails | Mixed terrain | Moderate | Best for: Mountain biking + trail riding.
Rolling hills, wooded trails, ravines, streams, and views across the Delaware River Valley give Horseshoe Bend an entirely different feel from the region’s towpaths and rail trails. The 552-acre park offers approximately 10 miles of trails and specifically permits mountain biking.
HIGH BRIDGE PUMP TRACK + FLOW TRAILS | HIGH BRIDGE
Pump track + downhill flow trails | Beginner–Advanced | Best for: Skills, mountain biking + a completely different kind of ride.
Located at the start of the Columbia Trail, High Bridge’s Pump Track and Flow Trails give riders a place to work on their skills before hitting the trails—or make this the destination itself. The system includes the pump track along with purpose-built flow trails, including bike-only, downhill runs and a multi-use trail. Helmets are required, and the Borough recommends riding within your ability and avoiding the trails when conditions are muddy. Four mountain biking trails, appropriate for beginners and advanced trail riders are located directly behind the pump track. Parking is available in either the municipal lot or on the street.
MAKE IT A DAY
You’re already right at the beginning of the Columbia Trail, so you can easily pair the two for a longer day of riding. When you’re finished, head into downtown High Bridge for coffee, lunch or dinner, a local brew, shopping, antiques, or ice cream—the Borough notes that Main Street is just downhill from the trails.
NASSAU + SPRINGSIDE TRAILS | HIGH BRIDGE
12+ miles | Single-track mountain biking | Easy–Advanced | Best for: Mountain biking, varied terrain + longer trail rides
High Bridge’s Nassau and Springside Trail System offers more than 12 miles of mountain-bike trails with something for a range of skill levels. Expect mostly single track with more than 300 feet of elevation and terrain that shifts from smooth dirt to rocks, roots, log rollovers, and other technical features. The official trail map marks individual routes as easy or intermediate and makes it easy to build your own ride.
MAKE IT A DAY
This is another great one to pair with High Bridge. Ride the trails, then head downtown for coffee, lunch, shops, a local brew, or ice cream. You can also make a full biking day of it by combining Nassau with the nearby Columbia Trail and High Bridge Pump Track + Flow Trails.
DELAWARE CANAL TOWPATH | RIVER TOWNS
UPPER BLACK EDDY → LUMBERVILLE → NEW HOPE → WASHINGTON CROSSING → YARDLEY
Approx. 60 miles overall | Towpath | Easy–Moderate | Best for: River rides, families + longer adventures.
Following the Delaware River through Bucks County, the 60-mile Delaware Canal Towpath connects river towns, historic sites, bridges, and beautiful stretches of countryside. It can also be combined with New Jersey’s D&R Canal to create cross-river loops.
UPPER BLACK EDDY → LUMBERVILLE
Follow the canal south through one of the quieter stretches of Upper Bucks before stopping in Lumberville.
LUMBERVILLE → NEW HOPE
A classic Bucks County canal ride ending right in the middle of New Hope.
NEW HOPE → WASHINGTON CROSSING
Head south along the canal toward Washington Crossing, then turn around for the ride back into New Hope.
NEW HOPE ↔ LAMBERTVILLE
Cross the bridge, ride both sides of the Delaware, and experience two states in one outing.
PEACE VALLEY PARK | DOYLESTOWN / NEW BRITAIN
Approx. 6 miles around Lake Galena | Easy | Best for: Lake views + family rides.
Circle Lake Galena on an approachable recreational ride surrounded by water views and open parkland.
MAKE IT A DAY
Head into Doylestown after your ride for coffee, lunch, boutiques, museums, drinks, or dinner and turn a loop around the lake into a full day out.
NESHAMINY GREENWAY TRAIL | CENTRAL BUCKS
Multi-use trail | Easy | Best for: Recreational riding + trail connections.
The Neshaminy Greenway creates opportunities to connect parks and recreational areas throughout Central Bucks, making it a good option for riders looking for something beyond a short park loop.
TYLER STATE PARK | NEWTOWN
Approx. 10.5 miles of bike trails | Easy–Moderate | Best for: Recreational + family riding.
A substantial network of designated bicycle trails winds through the park, offering plenty of flexibility to create a shorter ride or spend more time exploring.
MAKE IT A DAY
Head into Newtown afterward for coffee, lunch, shopping, drinks, or dinner.
NOCKAMIXON STATE PARK | UPPER BUCKS
Easy–Advanced | Best for: Lake riding + mountain biking.
Nockamixon offers two completely different cycling experiences.
THE LAKE RIDE
Approx. 2 miles | Paved | Easy An approachable recreational ride for families and casual cyclists, with the lake as the backdrop.
THE ADVENTURE RIDE
Approx. 10 miles | Off-road | Advanced A dedicated mountain-bike trail system near Haycock Cove for experienced riders looking for technical terrain and a bigger challenge.
UPPER BUCKS RAIL TRAIL | QUAKERTOWN AREA
3.2 miles + Saucon Rail Trail connection | Crushed stone + asphalt | Easy | Best for: Families + rail-trail riding.
A short, approachable Bucks County rail trail with the added benefit of connecting directly to the Saucon Rail Trail, allowing riders to continue well beyond the Bucks County section.
NEWTOWN RAIL TRAIL | SOUTHAMPTON
Approx. 2.5 miles | Primarily crushed stone | Easy | Best for: Short rides + families.
An easy recreational ride connecting into the larger Pennypack trail network, making it possible to keep going for riders looking for additional mileage.