Brooke Stewart 
No matter your daily routine, nothing beats a tranquil stroll through the fresh air of the outdoors. Local parks, land preserves, and nature trails often offer scenic views, dedicated routes, and photo opportunities to support local walkers + joggers alike. And whether you need to clear your head or want to enjoy a walk with friends (or your pet), Bergen County is full of places to connect with yourself and nature. Read on for a list of the best places to take a walk in Bergen County, New Jersey.
J.A. McFaul Environmental Center | 150 Crescent Avenue, Wyckoff
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J.A. McFaul Environmental Center in Wyckoff is a lovely spot to take a walk. With 81 acres of preserved land and ponds surrounded by trails, this makes for a very nice spot to get some exercise in. This is a pretty simple path since it is paved, but it does have some dirt trails with hills. If you are more of the nature type, you can explore the trails. But if you just want to keep it as an easy walk, stay on the path!
Oradell Reservoir | 105 Lake Shore Drive, Haworth + Oradell
The Oradell Reservoir in Oradell is a nice, simple walking path that is straightforward and pretty. It is a short loop of 6 Miles, making this a good walking path if you want to go somewhere that is not too complex. There are great views of the water, and it is peaceful to take a nice walk during sunset.
Read More: A Guide to the Bergen County Parks System
Overpeck County Park | 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
Overpeck County Park in Leonia expands over 800 acres and has many walking trails that are flat and easily walkable. This park has lots of playgrounds, sports fields, a kayak launch, an amphitheater, and a dog park. This park has a lot more than just a walking path; it can be a whole day event where you can do multiple activities. This makes it feel lively and eventful.
Ramapo Valley County Reservation | 608 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah
Ramapo Valley County Reservation is located in Mahwah, and it is the largest park in Bergen County! There are 15 miles of trails that are marked for you, and the trails can be as easy or as hard as you would like. It also has waterfalls and streams that go along the path. This is a nature-dense park, and you feel like you are truly in the woods.
Saddle River County Park | 760 Saddle River Road, Saddle Brook
Saddle River County Park is located in Saddle Brook and has many features that make it unique. There are open fields, sports courts, picnic areas, and a lake with a pond and a fountain. This is a great walking spot because it is a paved trail that runs through multiple towns, and is very pretty.
Saddle River County Park-Wild Duck | 1133 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood
Saddle River County Park-Wild Duck is located in Ridgewood. This park has a six-mile path that is paved and runs through multiple towns. This is a great path for walking and running, since it is mostly flat. It is much easier to walk here because of the flat, paved loop that goes around the pond.
Scarlet Oak Pond Walk | 608 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah
Scarlet Oak Pond Walk, a trail inside Ramapo Valley County Reservation, is a scenic area that is great for walking in Mahwah. This is a dirt path with gravel and some sections that are a little more nature-like. This trail wraps around a pond, so the water is consistently there while you are taking your walk. This makes it a very nice place to walk and get some exercise in.
Tenafly Nature Center | 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
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Tenafly Nature Center in Tenafly is a great walking spot. It has over seven miles of trails and about 400 acres of preserved forest. It really feels like you are in the woods when you are walking through this path because of the dense forest. When walking here, there is the option to make this a more intense hike, or you can keep it simple and do more of a calm, short walk. In this area, there is a chance you might see frogs, snakes, and lots of birds.
Van Saun County Park (Bergen County Zoo) | 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus
Van Saun County Park is located in Paramus and is also home to the Bergen County Zoo. Even if you do not enter the zoo, there are walking paths all along the park, making this a great spot to get some steps in. There are over three miles of walking paths, and it is all paved and flat. Some main attractions here include the carousel, mini train ride, a playground, a dog park, and picnic areas.
Wood Dale County Park | 100 Prospect Avenue, Woodcliff Lake
Wood Dale County Park is a great walking spot located in Woodcliff Lake. It is dog-friendly, including a dog park. It also has a playground, tennis/ pickleball courts, picnic areas, and a pavilion. This park is clean and has a path that is easy to follow. There are lots of ducks and birds surrounding the pond, making it feel calm and scenic.
See More: A Visit to the Fairy Trail at South Mountain Reservation in Millburn
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