Mercer County is very bike-friendly and offers some incredibly scenic paths for exploring on two wheels. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, you can cover more ground with these resources for exploring Princeton and Mercer by bike.
Find a Bike
Mercer now offers a Verve bike share program to the public. There are ten bikes at each location and can be rented by downloading the Verve S app. Find these bikes at the following locations:
- Mercer County Park near the 9/11 Memorial
- Mercer Meadows at Rosedale Park on Federal City Road
- The Red Barn at Keefe and Cold Soil roads
While Princeton’s previous bike share program, Zagster, is unfortunately no longer in operation due to COVID-19, they have added a rental option for current graduates and undergraduate students.
Kopp’s Cycle
The rental program through Kopp’s is also suspended due to the pandemic, but they are still open for bike purchases and repair work. They have new and used bikes for sale, along with just about any bicycle accessory and clothing item you can think of for getting where you need to go on a bike.
Photo via https://www.koppscycle.net
Bike Trails
Baldpate Mountain - Ted Stiles Preserve
28 Fiddlers Creek Road, Titusville, NJ 08560
Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain Trail Details.
We love Baldpate for the hiking, but this scenic beauty is a great place for biking as well. Expect a lot of hills, rocks, and roots here since it’s a natural path, but that’s part of its charm.
Photo via https://njtrails.org
Mercer County Park
334 South Post Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Mercer County Park Trail Details.
A good option for beginners since it has both paved paths and easier natural paths. However, all levels can have fun here since there's a lot of room to kick up the pace.
Delaware & Raritan Canal Path
523 Alexander Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Delaware & Raritan Canal Path Trail Details.
This 70-mile historic canal path runs parallel to the Delaware River and offers some of the area's best scenery. It’s also a clean path with not many hills so it’s a good option for those who want an easier ride but want to enjoy more scenic views. Open from sunrise to sunset and can be done on virtually any bike.
Photo via www.traillink.com
Lawrence Hopewell Trail
Carson Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Lawrence Hopewell Trail Details.
This 20+ mile trail is the perfect spot for families since they have large, clean paths. It offers a mixture of pavement, green and gravel. It’s also a great resource for local bike commuters to use.
Six Mile Run
597 Canal Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
Six Mile Run Trail Details.
One of Central NJ’s most hidden recreational resources. This trail is a 16-mile loop packed full of features. Bridges, roots, rocks, twists… and all of the trails were designed for multi-use. It’s a ton of fun and can offer more advanced options if you’re looking for a challenge.
Photo via www.mtbproject.com
Mercer Meadows
111-167 Cold Soil Road, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
Well-maintained biking and walking paths here that are mostly flat and wide through woods and open fields. There are historical observation points and rest areas throughout the trail system. These trails connect to the Lawrence-Hopewell trails at the Hunt House at Blackwell Road. This would be great for an outing with kids or for beginner bike riders who want a safe place to ride!
Photo via www.alltrails.com
Trolley Line Trail
West Windsor, NJ
The Trolley Line Trail is a 2.5-mile paved pathway between Rabbit Hill Road and Penn Lyle Road. It's located on the right of the former Fast Line electric trolley that connected Trenton and New Brunswick in the early 20th century. The trail passes through West Windsor Community Park where you can find picnic tables, dog parks, fields, restrooms and more.
Another great option for kids if you're looking for something other than your local park ride.
Photo via www.njtrails.com
If you’re looking to take more of a leisurely walk or take a family hike, here are our top social distancing-approved options here.