Brooklyn Bridge Walk is a 2.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near New York City, New York that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and running. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
walking
running
paved
river
views
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historic site
This is a fun and scenic walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn across one of the country's most famous bridges. This can be a crowded or mellow stroll across the East River. Drink vendors line the bridge, which can be helpful in warm, humid weather. To your right, you can spy the Statue of Liberty in the distance, along with dozens of boats and helicopters. To your left is the Manhattan Bridge. Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was originally designed by German civil engineer John Augustus Roebling. The bridge's construction became a family affair, when Roebling fell ill and enlisted his adult son, Washington, to lead the project. Not long after Washington assumed the charge of the bridge did he also need to pass the baton after he suffered permanent physical damage while working in the sealed underwater foundations for the two towers (an ailment known as caisson disease, decompression sickness or more commonly "the bends"). Washington put his wife Emily in charge, and for more than a decade she managed the day-to-day operations of the bridge construction, bringing instructions from her bed-ridden husband to the job site and updates back to him. She became highly knowledgable about the engineering intricacies of the bridge, impressing politicians and other engineers with her capabilities and leadership. In the official opening ceremony, on May 24, 1883, Emily was the first person to cross the bridge.
Did this walk counterclockwise early in the morning and got some incredible views of the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise. I'd walked across the bridge before and was pleased that going this time of the day beat the crowds. If you do this on foot, be careful not to stray into the bike lanes on the Brooklyn bridge. The bike path on the Manhattan Bridge is separate from the walking path. Noise on both bridges can be pretty intense, but that's New York.
Mike Psaledakis recorded Brooklyn Bridge Walk
Awesome walk.
It’s crowded, try to go early during sunrise. Watch out and stay out of the bike lane as best as you can.
Overrated, as far as bridge walks go. It’s worth going once to say you did it (it is a beautiful bridge and historically significant) and it isn’t a long walk. If you’re walking from Manhattan you can stop at Brooklyn Bridge Park once you’re finished and rest with great views and an awesome ice cream place by the water taxi (if it’s still in business), which is also an option if you don’t feel like walking back over. Overall it’s overcrowded and full of cyclists who don’t stay in their lane. I recommend the Williamsburg Bridge walkway instead - far less crowded with a wider walkway and with just as nice views (and more space to enjoy them) and covered in interesting and downright weird graffiti. You’re more likely to meet some stranger people on this bridge (I was once catcalled by a guy selling water bottles in the summer) but nothing that ever made me feel unsafe. You also get to watch subways go on their merry way from above, which is a cool view you don’t get to see all the time!
Too crowded. Don’t hike on a weekend.
Walked it in the rain so not crowded. Beautiful walk. Piece of history!
Lukasz N.
It gets crowded with tourists so best to enjoy the ride early in the morning.
Didn't cross the whole bridge, nothing on the other side I wanted to see... but did walk to bridge from 9th street station. So that added the extra 1.7 miles I missed on the bridge. Beautiful scenery, however, lots and lots of people! Did I say, lots?
Lots of people... no restrooms or trees to pee behind
Its just walking around, not a hike. Its awesome to walk after sunset in summer as its too crowded during the day and night the skyline views are amazing.
Love the view. All stars for the view.
Not exactly your usual hiking trail, but it feels like a rite of passage for a visitor to NYC. You'll be with many of your closest friends as you cross. Views of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn abound. Stay to the right so as not to arouse the ire of bicyclists, and embrace the fact that this is New York City and you're always in somebody's way--it's not personal. The pathway is well-crafted to take you above traffic. If you're only going to walk it one way, start in Brooklyn and return to Manhattan for the best views. The subway is highly recommended--use the High Street/Brooklyn Bridge station on the Brooklyn side and end up at the City Hall/Brooklyn Bridge station in Manhattan.
We walked over the bridge at probably one of the busiest possible times: midday in beautiful weather on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. The bridge was, unsurprisingly, mobbed with pedestrians. Amazingly, many people walking over the bridge stop in the middle of the narrow path to take pictures (rather than moving to the side), which creates massive jams. Plus, bikes are trying to get by on the bike half of the path. Notwithstanding these issues, the walk was still fun and the views were cool, but I recommend going at night or in the winter or both. We brought our small dog (on leash) but had to carry her much of the way because of the crowds, so she wouldn’t be stepped on. She still had a fine time and we did too, but I doubt we’ll return — at least not during such a popular time.
Less of a hike more of a walk. Quite pleasant when the weather is nice but also quite trafficked. Would not recommend on a bike as many people crossing over often overflow into the bike lane making it difficult to navigate. It is a perfect spot to take in the views of the New York skyline though. Grab some ice cream and have a stroll.
I've walked this bridge many times. the view is always nice. crowds of tourists can be a bit much, and have to dodge bikers at times
I mean, it is what it is. Nothing crazy exciting but you do learn a lot and get some pretty cool views of the city. Definitely something you can do with a significant other for a nice activity, which is what we did.
Great way to see the skyline of NYC and others walking the city’s most famous bridge! Worth the time and excitement.
Great views all around but extremely crowded and way too many rude cyclists. Very touristy but definitely something you should do once.
2nd time in NYC and the Brooklyn Bridge walk is a must. The view of the city is amazing.
Great views out over the East River and back toward New York Harbor, and some interesting historical markers along the way. One of the most iconic bridges in the world. But man does it get crowded! Keep out of the bike lane unless you want to get run over. Nice walk to DUMBO where you can have a quick lunch, then return to Manhattan.
Crossed this off my to-do list. Such a historically important bridge, was cool to walk through history a little bit. I went at 7am on a drizzly Thursday morning, so crowds weren't too bad.
Did this one at night. Exhilarating walk above the river with cars flight by and city lights all around! Enjoy!
Amazing scenery
Stunning views, but so crowded.
I have always enjoyed walking across bridges. The Brooklyn Bridge walk was most awesome
My favorite view of the city, especially when you continue walking along to the Heights.
I love this view of the city.
just dobt like hights and the fact it could fall at any moment so ya...
A fun walk with some nice scenery. Great exercise with some additional walking opportunity's on either side.
