Where-To-Go Wednesday - The Henry Hudson Trail

What: The Henry Hudson Trail

Where: Aberdeen, NJ to Highlands, NJ

Who: All ages

The Henry Hudson Trail is a paved path in Central New Jersey that is approximately 28.3 miles long. It goes from Aberdeen, NJ to Highlands, NJ although there are a couple of missing links along the way where it is necessary to travel along the road. Allegedly these missing links are expected to be completed sometime. However, to date, that has not happened, and it does not seem likely to happen any time soon.

The trail is neither located in the vicinity of nor does it have anything to do with the Hudson River which is located in New York City.

The trail was previously a railroad line and was used to transport produce, manufactured goods, and fertilizer to the docks in Keyport. In fact, at some places along the trail, there are still remnants of the rail line.

The trail currently belongs to New Jersey Transit which means that at any time they could reclaim it and turn it back into a railroad line. Although they occasionally do talk about turning the trail back into a rail line, it is doubtful that would ever happen. If it did it would be the first time in U.S. history that a rail trail was actually converted back into a rail line.

The property is currently leased to the Monmouth County Park System for use as a  rail trail.  It is quite a popular place to walk and bike ride and can often be very busy. However, it still does not usually seem overcrowded, and it is generally relatively quiet.   The trail is a great place to go walking and biking because of the long stretches without having to walk on or cross the road. It is also a good place to walk a dog since it is pet-friendly although dogs are required to be kept on a leash while on the trail.  The Henry Hudson Trail is free to and open to all every day even when other places are not, and thus has been a refuge to many during this time of quarantine.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.