The Jersey Shore is famous for its seaside boardwalks with their arcades, water parks, amusement parks, and fantastic people watching opportunities. These boardwalks also make for great running spots. For a more serene experience, it’s best to go early. In high season, you might have to dodge the crowds. We’ve chosen boardwalks that are at least 1 mile in length. Surfaces might vary from wood to concrete. One benefit of these boardwalks is that they’re lit at night! Our favorites, from north to south, include:
Asbury Park to Belmar: It’s possible to run the nearly 5 miles between Asbury Park and Belmar on an oceanside boardwalk. There are a couple of brief sections on Ocean Ave. The 1.3 mile Belmar Boardwalk is more of a party atmosphere, while the section through Ocean Grove is lined with benches, street lamps, and potted flowers. Asbury Park is known for its history. For add-ons, the beach in Asbury Park is great for running. There are also nice paths along three lakes that come right off the path: Wesley Lake, Sunset Park, and a part of Deal Lake. MAP of the three boardwalks, the southern end of which is at 20th Ave. in Belmar. Asbury Park Boardwalk article.
Add-On: From the south end of the Belmar Boardwalk at 20th Ave., pick up the wood-surfaced Spring Lake Boardwalk, which continues south for 2 miles to Sea Girt. Then use 1st Ave to connect to the 0.5 mile Sea Girt Boardwalk. MAP
Belmar to Sea Girt. From the south end of the Belmar Boardwalk at Lake Como, it’s possible to continue for another 3.2 miles south to Sea Girt Beach. Most of this is on dedicated boardwalks, including the Spring Lake Boardwalk and the Sea Girt Boardwalk. There are a couple of short on-road connections. These are nice sections, with nice waterfront homes on one side and the beach/ocean on the other.
Point Pleasant Beach: This classic wooden boardwalk runs 1 mile from the Lighthouse Point mini golf club to the Manasquan Inlet. Arcades, amusements, fun. MAP
Seaside: A 2.5 mile boardwalk/seaside promenade runs between Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. It has been rebuilt since the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. More of a party atmosphere. The wooden boardwalk runs goes between Hiering Ave. in Seaside Heights, south to 14th Ave. in Seaside Park. The surface is part wooden boardwalk and part paved multi-use path.
For variety, we’ve mapped out a 6-mile loop than includes the Boardwalk and Bayview Ave., which runs for 1.5 miles along Barnegat Bay, with great water views and a good shoulder for running. Boardwalk MAP. Loop Including Bayview Ave.
Atlantic City: This Iconic oceanfront boardwalk featuring views and a variety of shops and restaurants has been a fixture since 1870. The wooden boardwalk runs for 5.8 miles, from the Atlantic City Aquarium/casino area in the north to St. Martindale Ave. & Atlantic Ave. in the south. The ‘center’ of it is off Rt.40/N. Albany Ave., where you can go 2 miles south, or 4 miles north. Beach is ~8 miles long and runnable! MAP
Ocean City Boardwalk. Jim T.
Ocean City: This fun and festive route stretches 2.5 miles along the beachfront from 23rd St. to St. James Place. You’ll pass a Playland, the Historic Brighton Estates, and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, among other piers and parks. For a longer run, there’s a very scenic section from 9th St. off the Boardwalk, called the Route 52 Bridge Trail, which runs along the Stainton Memorial Causeway Bridge over Great Egg Harbor Bay to Somers Point. This is part of the 5-mile Ocean City Bike Path. Great views! Boardwalk Map. Bike Path Map.
Sea Isle City. Features the 1.5 mile Sea Isle City Promenade. Nice water views and a fun scene. ROUTE MAP
Wildwood: This concrete and wood boardwalk follows the coast for 3+ miles from near Wildwood Crest to North Wildwood. Good ocean views and a festive atmosphere, with 300 businesses and a giant ferris wheel. Wildwood Beach, at 4+ miles, is also great for running. MAP
The Jersey Shore is famous for its seaside boardwalks with their arcades, water parks, amusement parks, and fantastic people watching opportunities. These boardwalks also make for great running spots. For a more serene experience, it’s best to go early. In high season, you might have to dodge the crowds. We’ve chosen boardwalks that are at least 1 mile in length. Surfaces might vary from wood to concrete. One benefit of these boardwalks is that they’re lit at night! Our favorites, from north to south, include:
Asbury Park to Belmar: It’s possible to run the nearly 5 miles between Asbury Park and Belmar on an oceanside boardwalk. There are a couple of brief sections on Ocean Ave. The 1.3 mile Belmar Boardwalk is more of a party atmosphere, while the section through Ocean Grove is lined with benches, street lamps, and potted flowers. Asbury Park is known for its history. For add-ons, the beach in Asbury Park is great for running. There are also nice paths along three lakes that come right off the path: Wesley Lake, Sunset Park, and a part of Deal Lake. MAP of the three boardwalks, the southern end of which is at 20th Ave. in Belmar. Asbury Park Boardwalk article.
Add-On: From the south end of the Belmar Boardwalk at 20th Ave., pick up the wood-surfaced Spring Lake Boardwalk, which continues south for 2 miles to Sea Girt. Then use 1st Ave to connect to the 0.5 mile Sea Girt Boardwalk. MAP
Belmar to Sea Girt. From the south end of the Belmar Boardwalk at Lake Como, it’s possible to continue for another 3.2 miles south to Sea Girt Beach. Most of this is on dedicated boardwalks, including the Spring Lake Boardwalk and the Sea Girt Boardwalk. There are a couple of short on-road connections. These are nice sections, with nice waterfront homes on one side and the beach/ocean on the other.
Point Pleasant Beach: This classic wooden boardwalk runs 1 mile from the Lighthouse Point mini golf club to the Manasquan Inlet. Arcades, amusements, fun. MAP
Seaside: A 2.5 mile boardwalk/seaside promenade runs between Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. It has been rebuilt since the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. More of a party atmosphere. The wooden boardwalk runs goes between Hiering Ave. in Seaside Heights, south to 14th Ave. in Seaside Park. The surface is part wooden boardwalk and part paved multi-use path.
For variety, we’ve mapped out a 6-mile loop than includes the Boardwalk and Bayview Ave., which runs for 1.5 miles along Barnegat Bay, with great water views and a good shoulder for running. Boardwalk MAP. Loop Including Bayview Ave.
Atlantic City: This Iconic oceanfront boardwalk featuring views and a variety of shops and restaurants has been a fixture since 1870. The wooden boardwalk runs for 5.8 miles, from the Atlantic City Aquarium/casino area in the north to St. Martindale Ave. & Atlantic Ave. in the south. The ‘center’ of it is off Rt.40/N. Albany Ave., where you can go 2 miles south, or 4 miles north. Beach is ~8 miles long and runnable! MAP
Ocean City Boardwalk. Jim T.
Ocean City: This fun and festive route stretches 2.5 miles along the beachfront from 23rd St. to St. James Place. You’ll pass a Playland, the Historic Brighton Estates, and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, among other piers and parks. For a longer run, there’s a very scenic section from 9th St. off the Boardwalk, called the Route 52 Bridge Trail, which runs along the Stainton Memorial Causeway Bridge over Great Egg Harbor Bay to Somers Point. This is part of the 5-mile Ocean City Bike Path. Great views! Boardwalk Map. Bike Path Map.
Sea Isle City. Features the 1.5 mile Sea Isle City Promenade. Nice water views and a fun scene. ROUTE MAP
Wildwood: This concrete and wood boardwalk follows the coast for 3+ miles from near Wildwood Crest to North Wildwood. Good ocean views and a festive atmosphere, with 300 businesses and a giant ferris wheel. Wildwood Beach, at 4+ miles, is also great for running. MAP
The 140 mile stretch of oceanfront from Perth Amboy to Cape May is practically one long, continuous beach. Jersey Shore beaches are generally good for running — wide, with firm sand. We've listed some of our favorites.
Our guide to the best running spots in NJ Shore towns, focused on interesting spots away from the beach and busy boardwalks. Victorian-lined streets, stately homes, scenic roads along the bay, and quaint commercial spots.
These are some of our favorite state parks and lakes that provide some great running options inland from the Shore. A good combination of paths around reservoirs, farmland trails, and some wooded trail running. Some good hill opportunities.
Several former railroad tracks are now bike paths in the Jersey Shore area. Many are interior, providing an alternative to the boardwalks and beaches. The most scenic spots are Sandy Hook, and the first 2 miles of the Henry Hudson Trail.
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