Running Route: Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath

Hello from Brussels! I’m on my way to Krakow and have an extended layover, so I’m using the time wisely – to blog, of course.

Two weekends ago Ben, Bandit, and I went to Princeton for Ben’s New Jersey State Tri. While Ben was swimming, cycling, and running, I did my long run on the towpath of Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park. The trail system is quite extensive – about 70 miles! I ran only 13 miles and it was an out-and-back, so I only really saw 6.5 miles of the total trail, but I was impressed with what I saw. I started in Princeton and ran north to Kingston.

The trail is flat and a mix of packed dirt and gravel. The towpath follows the Raritan Canal. I saw a number of cyclists and other runners while out on an early Sunday morning – enough people that I didn’t worry about being alone without any help if I got into trouble, but not so many that I felt the trail was crowded.

There are a number of different entrance points, clearly marked, and with free parking (as far as I can tell). I drove to an entrance just south of where we were staying and started my run there.

Almost immediately I was rewarded with an up-close sighting of a deer. I also saw a few wild turkeys while running and too many squirrels and chipmunks to count.

The towpath was absolutely delightful to run on. The path was in good condition, even after a rainstorm the night before. I did have to hop over a few mud puddles in the beginning, but they pretty much dried up by the time I was running back to my car an hour later. Because the towpath is next to the canal, there’s always a lovely view of water. The path is quite shady, so even on hot sunny days, the path will be agreeable to run on.

I wish we had more time in Princeton because I would have loved to have brought Bandit and Ben to this place. I know they would have loved it too. If you’re ever in Princeton or the surrounding area, please go check out the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath.