I discover a new way to bike between NYC and Princeton, New Jersey

I love the East Coast Greenway. I’ve biked the whole thing. And I like how the New York-to-Princeton route offers so much variety — urban, suburban, road, trail, towpath, amazing views from the Bayonne and Goethals bridges…

But there’s another way to reach Central Jersey, and it’s only fair to share it too. It also gets you wonderful views of NYC (from the water) and uses a lengthy trail to get you part of the way. Bonus: it’s shorter at under 50 miles.

Here’s how to do it. And of course the route works going the other way too.

Take the Seastreak ferry from Manhattan to Highlands, Atlantic Highlands or (less frequent service) Belford. You’ll see the Statue of Liberty, then go under the Verrazzano Bridge before zooming across open water. But it’s not cheap. In 2023, the fare was $28 one way plus $3 for a bike.

Once you’re back on land, pick up the Henry Hudson Trail, which goes right past the Highlands and Atlantic Highlands stops. In Belford, the trail is about a mile inland. The trail will take you to the Keyport/Aberdeen line. Then there’s a road gap of under 2 miles before the trail resumes. (I let RideWith GPS guide me.) Follow it to the end of this segment. (Right now there are three segments, but the gap between the second and third should shrink, if not disappear, with this project slated for 2025.)

Turn right. Now you’re on Wyncrest Road. Follow it about half a mile, then turn right onto Gordons Corner Road. Keep going until you cross Route 9. Your choice whether to stay on Gordons Corner Road or take busier Tennent Road for a tiny bit to reach Netcost, a fascinating Eastern European/Russian/Central Asian supermarket with an abundance of prepared food for a hungry cyclist. My discoveries here.

If you do go exploring in Netcost, you’ll want to cut over to Gordons Corner soon after (quieter than Tennant) and head to Englishtown. If you’re lucky, the Baklava Lady will be open; here’s what you need to know. Then take rural and suburban roads, yeah you go past warehouses too, toward Princeton.

Here’s my route from near Seastreak in Highlands via Netcost to the Princeton Junction train station. (A round-trip version from West Windsor is here.)

It’s then only a few more miles east to Princeton or the D&R Canal/East Coast Greenway for those heading south toward Trenton and Philadelphia. Or go north using the D&R Canal towpath to New Brunswick and back toward NYC.

Camping? Head to the campground in Mercer County Park a few miles south of the Princeton Junction train station.

Going from Princeton Junction to Highlands? This may have been one of my best one-day bike trips ever.

So what’s the Henry Hudson Trail like?

Almost entirely paved. Busy with people walking their dogs, riding their bikes (e-bikes too), running. Some wetlands. Surprisingly shady — those thick tree canopies were bliss on a hot August day! The only other time we’d biked these two sections was sometime in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. We recall wide open spaces in the middle section, but not this time. A lot more housing.

A decade ago, whatever trail existed past Atlantic Highlands toward Highlands had been wiped out, one of Hurricane Sandy’s victims. Now it’s once again open all the way to Highlands (well, the park at Popamora Point, one of just two public places with flush toilets and running water on the trail, but go beyond, into tiny Highlands using quiet roads). The Atlantic Highlands-Highlands section, the only section that isn’t paved, puts you right by the water. (Click here if you want to know about the objections raised by Bruce Springsteen’s drummer.) Sandy Hook, part of the National Park Service, is just a bridge away. Catch a glimpse up in the bluffs of the unusual Twin Lights lighthouse.

Look past the boats bobbing in the water, perhaps some kayakers and fishermen, and way in the distance — yes, it’s Brooklyn, then the Manhattan skyline. Look west and that’s Staten Island. You can also dig your feet in the sand just on the other side of the trail, maybe even go for a dip.

Some signs along the way:

Maybe you’ll bike past an actual test of autonomous vehicles on the middle section of the trail. All quiet on a Sunday.

Hungry?

If you’re looking for food, it’ll be easier to find between Aberdeen and Highlands because you’re going through towns. Highlands has a few fish spots along the shore, such as well-known Bahrs Landing, but we headed for Keyport Fishery, which was flagged to us in a New York Times article about Keyport. We split a combination platter, all freshly fried. The scallops! Juicy! The flounder was a bit thin for a Brit used to fish and chips. It’s all take-out, so we headed to a table across the street. Also — cash only.

In Atlantic Highlands, we biked past the popular Zoe’s Emilio’s Kitchen, whose Mexican menu looks interesting. There are plenty of food choices on First Avenue; I’m thinking one of the seasonal specials at Nicholas Creamery is for me. This ice cream shop ranks No. 6 on NJ.com’s 2023 list of the state’s best ice cream spots.

As for another installment in my theme of “weird beer”, we think that might be Carton Brewing. But there are several other craft brewers along the 12-mile north section of the Henry Hudson Trail, such as Ross Brewing near the water in Port Monmouth.

Here are some other suggestions I crowdsourced: Princess Maria in Union Beach and Julio’s in Atlantic Highlands for pizza (NJ.com just ranked Julio’s No. 44 among all the Jersey Shore pizza spots, but … a pickle pizza is on the menu?); Sissy’s at the Harbor in Atlantic Highlands for breakfast and sandwiches; Sandbox at Seastreak Beach, a bar next to the Seastreak terminal in Highlands; Keyport Coffee Cafe in Keyport. Franny’s Pizzeria in Highlands ranked No. 27 on NJ.com’s list of Jersey Shore pizza spots in 2023.

A late-2023 addition: Italian Touch, a pizza spot about a half-mile from Keyport Fishery, makes NJ.com’s new list of New Jersey’s 101 best pizzas with its Grandma Pie. (sorry, paywalled, and I can’t find a gift link.)

A 2025 local’s list: “Nicholas Creamery in Atlantic Highlands. Carton Brewing. Jersey Shore Coffee. There’s a good barbeque spot in Atlantic Highlands now too.” Another local expanded on that: “Monty’s BBQ is very good and Julio’s pizza is a couple of doors down with a lot of great slice options if you don’t want an entire pie. Heading past Highlands to Sandy Hook there is a restaurant, Off the Hook, with great views of the bay and NYC.”

I do wish more communities would signpost local businesses near the trail.(Thank you, Highlands.) So Henry Hudson Trail lovers, what food stops would you add to the list?

There’s more?

You want to stay on the Henry Hudson Trail all the way to the end? The final section has been extended to the center of Freehold. Then you’ve got to check out the Bruce Springsteen sights.