The Best Running Routes In Princeton NJ

With its wooded glens, gentle hills and riverfront paths, Princeton is one of the best places in the state to take yourself on a long run. These are some of the best running routes in and around Princeton.

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park

The D&R Canal path is a vast trail system that’s flat, but far from boring. Watch rowers gliding by on Lake Carnegie and catch views of the landscape George Washington saw during his famous crossing of the Delaware River. The route is well-maintained, and the mileage well-marked. There’s parking up and down the course, so you can run a loop or an out-and-back.

Sourland Mountain Preserve

Princeton Battle Monument Mall, near the Institute for Advanced Study

Institute Woods

On a sweltering summer day, the trails owned by the Institute of Advanced Study offer a shady running route. There are criss-crossing trails that let you switch it up, and a good mix of well-maintained trail surfaces. Park at the Princeton Battlefield if you want to start and end your run in the woods.

Witherspoon Woods

If you’re looking for something a bit more rugged, Witherspoon Woods offers single-track trails with winding uphills, creek crossings, and wooden boardwalk crossings through marshland. The views are beautiful, especially around sunrise and sunset. Best place to park is in the large lot off Mountain Avenue.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.