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North Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 428 Google reviews · Running trail in New York, New York · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from North Woods' 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.
Wooded section of Central Park offering walking/biking paths, hiking, birdwatching & a stream.
What runners say about North Woods
“2 / Bethesda Fountain North of the Mall, you will come out in front of the monumental Bethesda Fountain, the most beautiful fountain in Central Park.”
“4 / Strawberry Fields continuing west along the lake you will come to Strawberry Fields, a small, very peaceful wooded area.”
10 things to see in Central Park in New York ❤️❤️❤️ At 4 km long and 800 meters wide, Central Park is New York's immense green lung. Here's what you absolutely must see!
Remarkably peaceful 40-acre forest literally in the center of Manhattan and (relatively) teeming with birds. When Europeans arrived New York was predominantly forest, so this is your chance to experience an “original” slice of Manhattan 🌳 The undulating path is well-maintained and clear throughout.
A quiet and beautiful section of Central Park on the north western section. Not a lot of tourists compared to the southern section. The woods are beautiful to walk through. There is pond with giant willows perfect for a little picnic. There are a couple of small waterfalls.
The North Woods provides a variety of wooded and plain landscapes. There are constructions, such as the Blockhouse, a fortification from 1812 that is the oldest structure in the park. North woods is a safe and wonderful place to walk and explore at any time of the year.
Trail conditions & character
“2 / Bethesda Fountain North of the Mall, you will come out in front of the monumental Bethesda Fountain, the most beautiful fountain in Central Park.”
“4 / Strawberry Fields continuing west along the lake you will come to Strawberry Fields, a small, very peaceful wooded area.”
“1 / The Mall This grand, tree-lined pedestrian avenue is emblematic of Central Park.”
Plan your run at North Woods
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitecentralparknyc.org
- Phone+1 212-310-6600
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–1 am |
| Tuesday | 6 am–1 am |
| Wednesday | 6 am–1 am |
| Thursday | 6 am–1 am |
| Friday | 6 am–1 am |
| Saturday | 6 am–1 am |
| Sunday | 6 am–1 am |
Running trails near New York
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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