Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal, Out-and-back
Name: Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal, Out-and-back
Start and Finish: Landing Lane in New Brunswick, NJ. Maps link
Turnaround: End of trail in Milford, NJ. Maps Link
Distance: 136.4 Miles
GPS File: File
Description: Trail website: https://dandrcanal.org/
Info from NJ Parks: https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/drcanalstatepark.html
Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park is a linear park that’s more than 70 miles long and is central New Jersey's most popular recreational corridor.
When it opened in 1834, the Delaware and Raritan Canal provided a direct transportation link between the cities of Philadelphia and New York City. This new transportation corridor was a waterway connection that flowed through the heart of central New Jersey. What was once a thoroughfare for mule-powered canal boats, steam-powered vessels and pleasure boats of all kinds, is today a linear state park that offers a serene and surprising respite from the commotion of nearby highways and surrounding suburban communities. With more than 70 miles of flat, continuous path available for use, the D&R Canal State Park is a haven for cyclists, runners, hikers, nature and history lovers of all kinds.
Unsupported:
Men: Steven Clark, 08/08/2025, 10:17:24
Women:
Para:
Supported:
Men:
Women:
Team:
Para:
Name: Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal, Out-and-back
Start and Finish: Landing Lane in New Brunswick, NJ. Maps link
Turnaround: End of trail in Milford, NJ. Maps Link
Distance: 136.4 Miles
GPS File: File
Description: Trail website: https://dandrcanal.org/
Info from NJ Parks: https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/drcanalstatepark.html
Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park is a linear park that’s more than 70 miles long and is central New Jersey's most popular recreational corridor.
When it opened in 1834, the Delaware and Raritan Canal provided a direct transportation link between the cities of Philadelphia and New York City. This new transportation corridor was a waterway connection that flowed through the heart of central New Jersey. What was once a thoroughfare for mule-powered canal boats, steam-powered vessels and pleasure boats of all kinds, is today a linear state park that offers a serene and surprising respite from the commotion of nearby highways and surrounding suburban communities. With more than 70 miles of flat, continuous path available for use, the D&R Canal State Park is a haven for cyclists, runners, hikers, nature and history lovers of all kinds.
Unsupported:
Men: Steven Clark, 08/08/2025, 10:17:24
Women:
Para:
Supported:
Men:
Women:
Team:
Para:
Notes from the Attempts:
From Steve Clark: I have wanted to ride the entire trail for a long time, and finally decided to go for it. I started at 4am, not knowing how long it would take me. The first 90mins were in the dark and I saw many deer, foxes, raccoons, and beavers. Of course, I left my water bottles in the car, but I had a hydration pack and stopped at a 24hr QuickCheck in Bound Brook and got some Gatorade there to put in my bottle cages. I rode the first half very conservatively, reached the turnaround at about 9:20am. The turnaround was not quite as far North as I expected, my GPS had it at the 68 mi mark rather than 70. And my GPS showed the trail continuing a bit further North, but there was only a very narrow single track that quickly became overgrown.
After the turnaround, I started to slightly increase the effort but kept it steady until Trenton. Then I really rode hard the rest of the way. This was a really great ride. With the exception of a couple streets in Trenton, it is completely on a gravel trail with very good riding conditions. The trail was a bit smoother in the section Northwest of Trenton. The segement from Lambertville to Frenchtown was really quite nice.
This route is really accessible to a lot of people, and features many walkers and runners. It may not be as "epic" as some other FKTs, but it is well worth the ride and I think it would be great to get more gravel riders on the trail. I think this FKT could be crushed by a more dedicated rider, but I am proud of the effort and I want to put this one on the map!
From Steve Clark: I have wanted to ride the entire trail for a long time, and finally decided to go for it. I started at 4am, not knowing how long it would take me. The first 90mins were in the dark and I saw many deer, foxes, raccoons, and beavers. Of course, I left my water bottles in the car, but I had a hydration pack and stopped at a 24hr QuickCheck in Bound Brook and got some Gatorade there to put in my bottle cages. I rode the first half very conservatively, reached the turnaround at about 9:20am. The turnaround was not quite as far North as I expected, my GPS had it at the 68 mi mark rather than 70. And my GPS showed the trail continuing a bit further North, but there was only a very narrow single track that quickly became overgrown.
After the turnaround, I started to slightly increase the effort but kept it steady until Trenton. Then I really rode hard the rest of the way. This was a really great ride. With the exception of a couple streets in Trenton, it is completely on a gravel trail with very good riding conditions. The trail was a bit smoother in the section Northwest of Trenton. The segement from Lambertville to Frenchtown was really quite nice.
This route is really accessible to a lot of people, and features many walkers and runners. It may not be as "epic" as some other FKTs, but it is well worth the ride and I think it would be great to get more gravel riders on the trail. I think this FKT could be crushed by a more dedicated rider, but I am proud of the effort and I want to put this one on the map!