Explore the Best Walking & Hiking Trails on LBI
Exercise

Explore the Best Walking & Hiking Trails on LBI

Discover all the best walking and hiking spots on and around the island!

Drew Guarino
LBI Real Estate

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Welcome to Long Beach Island. You've finally arrived after surviving the heavy traffic, and now you're ready to stretch those legs. But the roads are bustling with cars, and with limited crosswalks and sidewalks, you might be wondering: where can I go for my walk?

Fortunately, Long Beach Island is full of scenic spots and walkable areas perfect for getting your steps in.

Holgate Beach Wilderness Area

Holgate Beach Wilderness Area
Holgate Beach Wilderness Area

Head to the southern tip of Long Beach Island and you'll find the Holgate entrance to the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. A large parking lot marks the start of a pristine, 3.5-mile stretch of protected beach. The full out-and-back walk is about 7 miles, but you can turn around whenever you like.

The refuge is open to the public from September 1 to March 31. It's closed from April 1 to August 31 to protect nesting shorebirds. For an easier walk, plan your visit around low tide, when the sand is firmer and more passable.

For more information, visit the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge website.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

At the northern tip of the island lies Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, a haven for walkers and nature lovers. Climb to the top of the historic Barnegat Lighthouse before it closes at 3 PM for sweeping views of the bay and ocean. Stroll the stone promenade and scan the rocks for marine life, or explore the Maritime Forest Trail, a peaceful 0.2-mile loop through one of Long Beach Island's last remaining patches of maritime forest.

For more information, visit the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park website.

LBIF Nature Trail

Ospreys at the LBIF Nature Trail
Ospreys at the LBIF Nature Trail

The Long Beach Island Foundation (LBIF) maintains a protected marshland that extends into the bay — perfect for a peaceful nature walk. Park in the LBIF lot and head to the trailhead just beyond the camp buildings. The walk is about a mile long, mostly along a dirt path that eventually transitions to a boardwalk through the marsh. At the end, you'll find an osprey viewing blind — an ideal spot for birdwatching. Bring your binoculars to catch a glimpse of the osprey family that nests here each summer, along with a variety of other local wildlife.

For more information, visit the LBIF Nature Trail page.

Downtown Beach Haven

Bay Village in Downtown Beach Haven
Bay Village — Photo by The Guarino Team

Downtown Beach Haven is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, offering a lively mix of shops, restaurants, bars, cafés, and attractions. Wide sidewalks and a walkable layout make it easy to explore, and the vibrant atmosphere draws both locals and visitors alike. It's the heart of the island, where everyone comes to wander, browse, and enjoy the scene. Park at Bay Village and begin your exploration.

For more information, visit visitbeachhaven.com.

Cedar Bonnet Island Park

Cedar Bonnet Island Park
Cedar Bonnet Island Park

Take a peaceful nature stroll on your way onto or off the island. If you're driving toward the island, the parking lot is conveniently located on the right side, just after the first bridge. There's a turnaround spot for drivers heading off the island to easily access the lot. The trail offers up to 1.5 miles of scenic walking paths and is part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information, visit the Cedar Bonnet Island trail map.

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The Beach

LBI beach walk
The beach — LBI

For an easy and accessible walk, simply head straight to the beach. Long Beach Island boasts 18 miles of uninterrupted shoreline — some have even challenged themselves to hike the entire coast. For the best walking experience, plan your visit around low tide, when the sand is flatter and more compact.

For more information, visit the LBI beach directory.

Ocean Boulevard — Beach Ave

Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach Township
Ocean Boulevard — Long Beach Township

Each morning, this beachside road transforms into a lively parade of walkers, runners, bikers, and fitness enthusiasts getting their workout in before heading to the beach. A great place to park is at the public beach pavilion in Long Beach Township on 68th Street. Thanks to the low speed limit and heavy foot traffic, cars tend to avoid the area during peak walking hours, creating a safe and welcoming space for outdoor activity.

For more information, visit the 68th Street Ocean Beach page.

Hideaway Bay Nature Trail

Hideaway Bay Nature Trail
Hideaway Bay Nature Trail

This short, easy nature trail is tucked away in Long Beach Township, just off Long Beach Boulevard near Nebraska Avenue. Parking is available on the bay side, just off the main road. The trail leads to a peaceful public bayfront area, where you can stroll along the water or relax on one of the many benches — perfect for catching a sunset.

For more information, visit Long Beach Township Parks & Recreation.

Barnegat Branch Trail

Barnegat Branch Trail
Barnegat Branch Trail

Located just off the island in Barnegat, this trail is part of a rail-to-trail project transforming the old Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey into a walking and biking path. The project is being completed in phases and will eventually span 15.6 miles, connecting Barnegat to Toms River. A convenient parking lot is located just outside the trail entrance in Barnegat.

For more information, visit the Ocean County Parks page.

Barnegat Light Dune Trail

Barnegat Light Dune Trail
Barnegat Light Dune Trail

Just before the lighthouse, a series of sandy trails wind through the dunes, connecting the beach entrances between 3rd and 13th Streets. These paths offer a scenic walk and eventually lead you right onto the beach. You can park near the lighthouse or around 4th Street, and hop onto the trail from any beach access point along the way.

For more information, visit South Jersey Trails.

Patrick Johns
About the author

Patrick Johns

Patrick Johns is a New Jersey writer whose connection to Long Beach Island runs deep. Summers spent on LBI—glued to a beach chair with a book in hand—sparked the passion for storytelling that continues to shape his work today.Over the years, Patrick became a familiar face around the island, working at local staples like Custard Hut, Country Kettle Chowder, Thundering Surf Waterpark, and the Long Beach Island Foundation. Each experience added to his appreciation for the community and coastal lifestyle that inspire his writing.He credits those long, sun-soaked days on the beach—lost in books with the sound of the ocean in the background—as the foundation of his creative journey. Today, that same spirit of escape, imagination, and reflection found on LBI continues to influence his voice as a writer.When he’s not writing, you can find Patrick surfing the waves, reading on the beach, and exploring the island for inspiration.Follow Patrick’s writing journey: www.patrickjohnswrites.com