JOHNSON TROLLEY LINE TRAIL:
EWING TOWNSHIP-LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY
LAWRENCE HOPEWELL TRAIL:
LAWRENCE & HOPEWELL TOWNSHIPS, NEW JERSEY
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: January 24, 2025
Length: Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Northern Section; 1 mile.
Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Southern Section; 2.4 miles
Lawrence Hopewell Trail; 22 miles planned
Difficulty: Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Easy. Paved and stone-dust segments.
Lawrence Hopewell Trail; Easy-Moderate. Flat paved rail trail.
Directions:
To Start from the Johnson Trolley Line Trail [Southern End]; From I-295 take exit 69B to Route 206 south. After 3+ miles turn right on Spruce St. Next turn right on 5th St after 0.7 miles. The trailhead is on your left. Park along this road.
To Start from the Johnson Trolley Line Trail [Northern End] & Lawrence Hopewell Trail; From I-295 take exit 69A to Route 206 north for less then a mile and turn left on Gordon Ave. Turn left on Bergen St then right into Village Park. First parking lot.
The Johnson Trolley Line Trail consists of a Northern Section and Southern Section, which are split by Interstate I-295. The Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Northern Section travels Northeast, through Lawrenceville, but has no parking lot. You'll need to park at Village Park to access this section. The Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Southern Section travels South, from Rider University, through Lawrence Township. The Trenton-Princeton Traction Company ran the old trolley, known as the "Fast Line," through this corridor from around 1901 until 1940. The Johnson Trolley Line Trail utilizes a portion of right-of-way, abandoned by the former trolley company. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is a pathway on a developing Loop through public and private land in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships. The route links business districts, parks, schools, historical villages, and playing fields. In Lawrenceville you can connect to the Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Northern Section and from Maidenhead Meadows Park you can connect to the D&R Canal SP; Main Canal Trail . For more information visit; JOHNSON TROLLEY LINE TRAIL & LAWRENCE HOPEWELL TRAIL .
Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Southern Section:
Starting from 5th & Irven Streets; I haven't ridden this section. No parking lot available, but you can park along 5th St. The Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Southern Section travels North, along the old rail bed which has a stone-dust surface, which has been overtaken by grass. Not sure if this is the case the whole way. It travels along a wooded corridor. After 0.6 miles pass by a spur to Whitehead Rd Ext on your left. Cross over Shabakunk Creek before coming to Eldridge Ave at 1.1 miles.
Note; A paved trail left, leads to Eggerts Crossing Village.
Here the trail follows a sidewalk a short distance to Johnson Ave, where a paved trail continues North, alongside the road. Come to Eggerts Crossing Rd after 1.8 miles.
Note; To your left is the Loveless Nature Preserve parking lot and to your right along Eggerts Crossing Rd is Central Park parking lot.
The next section consists of stone-dust, with some grass as it travels through the woods. Cross a transmission line corridor before coming to Rider University after 2.4 miles.
Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Northern Section:
Starting from Denow Road in Lawrence Township [Southern End]; I haven't ridden this section. No parking lot. The stone-dust Johnson Trolley Line Trail; Northern Section travels Northeast, along the old rail bed, along a residential corridor. Cross Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd, followed a a bridge over a cement canal, before crossing Green St. Cross Titus Ave, before coming to Craven Lane at 0.8 miles.
Note; The Lawrence Hopewell Trail utilizes Craven Lane and the Johnson Trolley Line Trail; North, as part of it's route.
Finally come to Phillips Ave, after 1 mile, where the trail currently ends in Lawrenceville. Informational sign. Across the street is the old brick Trenton-Princeton Traction Company, which ran the old Trolley Line.
Lawrence Hopewell Trail:
Starting from the Village Park parking lot in Lawrenceville [Western Side]; The paved Lawrence Hopewell Trail starts off Bergen St and travels Northwest, through the park. Sports fields, restrooms and more parking. Just keep to the right at all intersections. Exit the park to Keefe Rd at 0.9 miles. A crosswalk takes you over to the stone-dust trails through Mercer Meadows. This was as far as I checked out. Triangular LHT signs will take you along the route, which varies widely and includes on-road sections. See; Map Below.
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CLICK HERE FOR JOHNSON TROLLEY LINE & LAWRENCE HOPEWELL TRAILS MAP
CLICK HERE FOR LAWRENCE HOPEWELL TRAIL MAP
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