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Hawk Rise Sanctuary

4.4 ★★★★☆ 327 Google reviews · Running trail in Linden, New Jersey · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Hawk Rise Sanctuary's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedLoopLit at nightScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Quiet wildlife preserve featuring wetlands, trails and boardwalks.

What runners say about Hawk Rise Sanctuary

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (327 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“The trails are peaceful, clean, and surrounded by beautiful nature—ideal for walking, relaxing, or just clearing your mind.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 11 mentions

“The trails are peaceful, clean, and surrounded by beautiful nature—ideal for walking, relaxing, or just clearing your mind.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“Nice and easy walk but not dogs allowed 😞😞”

Definitely nice place for hiking . Loop type trails that goes through forest. The main attraction is migratory birds. Didn't find any restroom / portable one.

★★★★★ — Roys , May 2018

Nice easy walking trail amidst nature. Spot deer and birds along the way.

★★★★☆ — Karan , May 2021

Good local escape in a heavily congested area. I also really enjoy seeing previously industrialized or polluted areas turned back into a thriving haven for plants and wildlife. We saw many varieties of birds and other creatures along our walk.

★★★★☆ — Brian , Oct 2023

Nice hidden gem of nature walk. Well marked walking paths. Will be back to get some steps in to further explore this nature preserve.

★★★★★ — Mike , Oct 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 327 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 11 mentions

“The trails are peaceful, clean, and surrounded by beautiful nature—ideal for walking, relaxing, or just clearing your mind.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“The trails are peaceful, clean, and surrounded by beautiful nature—ideal for walking, relaxing, or just clearing your mind.”

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🔁 Loop trail 5 mentions

“This is a great loop, flat path and lovely bird sounds all around, tons of parking”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“This is a great loop, flat path and lovely bird sounds all around, tons of parking”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Didn't find any restroom / portable one.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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💡 Lit for night running

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Plan your run at Hawk Rise Sanctuary

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitelinden-nj.gov
  • Phone+1 908-474-8600
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
Sunday 6 am–9 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hawk Rise Sanctuary

1811 Lower Rd, Linden, NJ 07036

Get directions

Running trails near Linden

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Joseph Medwick Park

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Scenic

This park offers scenic river vistas plus ball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds & picnic groves.

under a mile away

River Front Park

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Scenic

under a mile away

Memorial Field Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 188 reviews

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Dog-friendly

Park featuring a playground and picnic areas, as well as basketball and tennis courts.

1.3 miles away

Ernest L. Oros Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 195 reviews

Avenel, NJ

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Wildlife preservation area with a butterfly garden and trails, plus gazebos, a playground and benches.

1.4 miles away

East Coast Greenway

4.6 ★★★★★ 15 reviews

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1.5 miles away

John Russell Wheeler Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,163 reviews

Linden, NJ

This community park includes a pool, playground, skate park, snack bar, sports fields & picnic area.

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Linden, NJ →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.