FreeWalkers: a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers events, information, & networking educating the public on the benefit of walking.
Event Planner
Get the 2018 Events Calendar
Click here to scroll through our 2018 calendar of events or to add our events to your Google or iPhone calendar. Released 1/7/18
Newsworthy
Article on the Kennedy 50-Mile Hike in 1963 and a modern-day challenge.
In Their Footsteps
We Support Trails
Distant Thoughts
Angels on the Trail
Just meeting others along the way is some of the reward of a long walking adventure.
The Metaphysics of Walking
When you walk the same path many times your relationship to the place and the activity changes.
The Sounds of a Long Walk
Just a few days ago, I noticed, maybe for the first time, the sounds of the Great Canal Walk. For most of the 40 miles and 15 hours that day there was an absence of sound in this body of water as still as glass on that calm day....
Welcome to FreeWalkers
FreeWalkers is a network of individuals interested in walking. We organize events and provide information designed to encourage the practice of walking. Our group is free and open to everyone. We encourage each member to accomplish challenging goals as we work together, experience, and promote pro-pedestrian issues.
Disclaimer
FreeWalkers is an informal group of individuals who plan interesting and challenging walks and invite others to join but do not accept responsibility for their safety and welfare. Walkers who participate in any event should understand that they are participating separately and should be physically prepared and adequately supplied. Any advice offered makes no claims of expertise. Walking a long distance requires above average physical stamina, necessary rest and adequate food and water; which the walker must be prepared to carry or purchase along the way. We encourage all participants to walk together as a group and to have an emergency phone contact or other means of assistance in case of problems.
Walking History
1 Man, 1 Canal, 1 Long Walk: Creating a National Park
On January 3, 1954, an editorial article appearing in the Washington Post which became a flashpoint for those that opposed the U.S. government's building a parkway that would pave over the old 185-mile C&O Canal. It was a long hike proposed by Associate Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas that would settle the matter and set a trend toward preserving nature and history.
Words to Walk By
A brief essay by Loredana Delluchi
Why Do You Want to Walk to Canada?
One beautiful day, while walking with FreeWalkers on the Connecticut East Coast Greenway (ECG), the desire to keep going all the way to Canada came over me. I spoke about it with my friends and the more I played with the idea, the bigger my smile became.
Suddenly, my friend Ian Hochstead bent down, picked up a coin and said "Look Loredana! It's a Canadian penny." Overjoyed, with a theatrical reaction, I said "It's a sign! Now I must walk all the way to Canada to return the coin." 
During that same walk I met Ken Kurland who had the same dream of exploring the ECG to the Canada-US border at Calais, Maine. In fact, Ken and Nancy Jonap were already planning the next segment of the walk. I joined them and together we arrived in Providence.
This year we are walking from Providence to Boston and I'm filled with joy thinking about the privilege I have to admire the beauty of America one step at the time.
Author Paulo Coelho wrote "When you really want something, the world conspires to make a dream come true".
I'm grateful to Ken, Nancy, FreeWalkers and the ECG for helping me with my dream. One day I may be able to return the coin. :)
Loredana lives in New York City and has been a FreeWalker for over 5 years. She is the founder of a non-profit Knitting Without Borders, which provides hand-crafted teddy bears to sick children around the world. Her indomitable spirit inspires us all.
Events
February 9
Saturday
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Kennedy 50-Mile Walk
February 9, 2019 from 3:30am to 9pm – C&O Parking Lot @ Old Anglers Inn
0 Comments 1 Like
Photos
Blog Posts
For Exercise, Nothing Like the Great Outdoors
Posted by Paul Kiczek on July 25, 2017 at 4:52pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Long walks can improve moods and reduce anxiety, but the benefits may be greatest if the walks take place outdoors rather than in a gym, Many different aspects of exercise are thought to affect how much we like working out. But in general, most experts agree that a workout’s intensity and its duration have the greatest influence…
How Walking in Nature Changes the Brain
Posted by Paul Kiczek on July 25, 2017 at 4:34pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Can $100,000 Buy You a Piece of Walking History?
Posted by Paul Kiczek on May 13, 2017 at 5:29pm 0 Comments 2 Likes
In its upcoming Rare Watches and American Icons auction in New York City, Christie’s will feature a Cartier Tank watch that was owned by—and was a firm favorite of—Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
The gold watch features the engraving: “Stas to Jackie 23 Feb. 63 2:05 AM to 9:35 PM.” According to Christie’s, the…
Continue Should 15,000 Steps a Day Be Our New Exercise Target?
Posted by Paul Kiczek on March 22, 2017 at 4:38pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Taking 10,000 steps per day is often suggested as a desirable exercise goal for people who wish to improve their health. But a new study of postal workers in Scotland suggests that that number could be too conservative and that, to best protect our hearts, many of us might want to start moving quite a bit…
Continue
Walking: Health Benefits of Aerobic Exercise
Posted by Scarlett Hilton on February 2, 2017 at 1:00am 0 Comments 2 Likes
No one would argue with me when I say that the most crucial type of exercise for the average person is aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, and bicycling.
Aerobic is a biological term that simply means "with oxygen". This is why people talk in…
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Preparing for the long walk
Posted by James Smith on January 30, 2017 at 10:01am 0 Comments 0 Likes
Greetings:
I'm in good shape and have a goal...will you help me? You may even say I'm too aggressive in the goal if that is what you believe but please, some radical believers are always most welcome to comment. The tips on this site are pretty good. Distance walking is challenging to find info.
My goal is to walk 20 or more miles per day for 20 days in a row, or at least 20 out of 30 days. In a one month period I want to cover 400 miles. 20 out of 30 days means walking 20…
ContinueWalking News
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Washington DC - FreeWalk…
51 members
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Local Walking Group Part…
22 members
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FreeWalker Kids Program
5 members
Latest Activity
Charles Updike posted eventsDelaware Greenway Walk
June 22, 2018 from 6pm to 7pmStroll & Roll 2018
November 4, 2018 from 10:30am to 1:30pmPhiladelphia Marathon Walk (Fairmount Park)
November 3, 2018 from 8am to 5pm
About
Recent Events
Roebling Ramble
June 17, 2017 - This event combined the history of the Roebling family (built the Brooklyn Bridge and many others) and their rise and fall and the town they created that represented an immigrant's dream 100-years ago.
Our 34 FreeWalkers continued another 13 miles to Trenton to experience a unique festival called Art All Night which offered a huge stage to experience live visual and audio art along with caravan of food trucks for 24-hours straight. The entire day was a unique and interesting experience in history and art.
Hudson River Loop
June 10, 2017 - It turned out to be a great day for a great event. Our largest event yet with 125 participants. Many making it all the way to the end of 30-miles. If there was any particular challenge it was the heat building up but with some breeze to help as it reached the mid-80s.
This year to accommodate more challengers we expanded the support providing improved signage and a support stop near the GWB. Our thanks to the Hudson River Walkway Conservancy, East Coast Greenway, Shorewalkers and Metrotrails for helping make this a huge success for FreeWalkers and our United Walking effort.
The Big Walk 2017
May 20, 2017 - Rain at the crack of dawn did nothing to stop 40+ FreeWalkers' at this 8th annual premier long distance event. Fortunately, the weather cooperated, mostly, and we had 11 finish the maximum 50-miles.
The walk from Metropark station to Penn Station NYC is a diverse challenge with many obstacles which draw the best of our long distance walkers.
Between Walk 2017
April 15, 2017 - With a good temps but overcast skies 23. FreeWalkers walked the 12 miles from New Brunswick to Metropark station. This year's events included a new free bagel stop at Ruthie's in Highland Park and a great personal tour of the newly renovated Thomas Edison Center in Menlo Park.
Jack Shi's Excellent Adventure
Great Canal Walk 2017
April 8, 2017 - It was a beautiful day for a walk with a taste of spring. FourWalkers walked the 40 miles from Trenton and 29 walkers favored the shorter, yet challenging 28 miles from Princeton to New Brunswick.
Spring Ahead 2017
March 19, 2017 - Eight FreeWalkers walked the 12-miles from Trenton to Princeton on a day when winter would not let go. Snow covered trail and cold temps slowed down the trek but sun and good spirits were plentiful.
Roosevelt Island/Astoria 2017
March 4, 2017 - About 40 braved the mid-teens and walked across town to the tram. We explored the island and the FDR 4 Freedoms Monument and park. Eventually crossing the bridge to Queens for some middle-eastern sights, smells and tastes. Ending it all at the famous Czech Beer Hall.
Kennedy 50-Mile Walk 2017
February 4, 2017 - An event for history buffs and hardcore walkers. Our 4th walk along the C&O Canal in Maryland and West Virginia - just like Bobby Kennedy did in 1963. Chilly weather did not dampen the can-do spirit of 50 fellow walkers at our grand annual event.
Learn more>>
See photos here
See survey results here
TRAINing Walk 2017
January 28, 2017 - It's mid-winter and 75 hearty walkers show up at the Morristown train station. This year we went West to East and ended in a cozy bar called Coda. Special kudos to Madison Honda for their hospitatlity.
See photos here
See the survey results here.
Midnight March on Princeton
January 7, 2017 - The Midnight March was our first all-night walking event and first event for the new year. Six brave FreeWalkers played wannabe soldiers and stayed with the troops into battle.at daybreak.
Read the entire story here
See photos here
Holiday Lights in Dyker Heights
December 16, 2016 - About a dozen FreeWalkers braved extreme cold and outmaneuvered rabid fans of the famous Brooklyn neighborhood. Thanks to Nakis Pericleous for leading us to the holiday kingdom.
See photos here
South Orange - Maplewood Walk & Year-end Party
December 4, 2016 - There were 35 FreeWalkers walking the grand and historic neighborhoods of South Orange and Maplewood followed by our year-end party and awards. Thanks to Risa Olinsky and David Ascher for a great day for a walk, celebration party and a start of the holiday season..
See photos here
Gobble-Gobble for MEND
November 25, 2016 - A crowd of about 40 walked off some turkey and at the same time helped the unfortunate in our communities by supporting MEND of Essex County - a food-bank charity that we support. Gobble-Gobble Walkers were asked to bring food and/or donate to help the hungry.
See photos here
Stroll & Roll - Union County
November 6, 2016 - Familes and FreeWalkers enjoyed a great fall day in Echo Lake Park, Mountainside, NJ as we got about 200 participants strolling and rolling. Kids had as much fun as adults enjoying the games, mild temps and colorful leaves on our first-ever family walking event. Thank you sponsors and Risa Olinsky and Yohana Osorio for organizing!
See photos here
Philadelphia Marathon Walk
October 30, 2016 - Charles Upkike led about 20 FreeWalkers along the route of the Philadelphia Marathon, know for its scenery - especially this time of year.
Legend of Sleepy Hollow Walk
October 30, 2016 - Rick Mohovich led about a dozen FreeWalkers around the Tarrytown area in a walk that passed through the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery of Wahington Irving fame.
Tour of Brooklyn - Coney Island
October 29, 2016 - 25 FreeWalkers walked from the New City waterfront to Coney Island on our annual tour of a different section of Brooklyn each year. Always popular and interesting, we enjoyed great weather and scenery as we walked the greenway trail, including under the Verrazano Bridge. Thanks leader Nancy Jonap!
See photos here
Autumn on the Delaware Series
October 20-23, 2016 - Four consecutive days, 120 miles. Walking from York PA to Frenchtown. FreeWalkers walked in support of Jim Gregoire, a FreeWalker and man on a mission to walk the entire US East Coast. Charles Updike, FreeWalkers PA Regional director organized this series of walk to keep him company and provide a great reason to visit the Delaware River area.
See photos here
Sailung Nepal Trek
October 3-16, 2016 - Two weeks trekking te foothills of the Himalayas. Sydney Frymire of Trek of Your Life (TOYL), a FreeWalker and experienced hiker and traveler organizes trips to Nepal which include a bit of volunteerism and plenty of incredible sights.
See photos here
Lenape 34
October 10, 2016 - On Columbus Day each year we brave the wilds of Essex County and travel through five reservations, 8 parks a dozen or so towns as we walk from Millburn to Cedar Grove, Montclair and Newark as we follow the Lenape Trail for 34 miles in our most diverse walk.
See photos here
Endless Summer Walk
September 24, 2016 - Once again we tried our best to hold on to summer and made a 30-mile trek along the bayshore and oceanside from Matawan to Sandy Hook to Asbury Park. Great conditions again this year for a beautiful walk and one of our most popular.
See photos here
Tour of Boston
September 17, 2016 - Fran Price, our FreeWalker leader in Boston, put together a great tour of the highlights of Boston. We walked from South Boston to Copley Square, mostly following the water and the historic trail.
See photos here
Providence - Boston Expedition
Providence to Boston July 23 to July 29 - Loredana, Ken and Nancy have finished thier 110 mile week-long expedition on the ECGA.
Read Loredana's story on why she walks the expedition each year.
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© 2018 Created by Paul Kiczek.
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