Further Afield: Our Favorite Distant Routes

Ebike Routes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York State

These self-guided bike routes — through pine barrens, hemlock ravines, mountains and marshes — require a little more driving to get to. But they’re undeniably worth the trip. Here are our favorite electric bike rides, further afield.

Site icon of electric bike rider

Spiky plants grow along a dirt road in the forest

Further Afield: Brendan T. Byrne State Forest

Late winter is the perfect season for this pine barrens adventure in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. Unlike other pinelands routes, this one is mostly paved, but the roads through the forest and along the wetlands are remote and isolated.

a lonely road through a forest

Further Afield: Stokes State Forest and Tillman Ravine

The off-season is the perfect time for this electric bike adventure in Stokes State Forest. In winter, the gated roads are off-limits to cars, but not to your electric bike. This is when the sense of isolation is deepest, and the hillsides, thick with hemlocks, provide a welcome contrast to the blahs of winter.

Rustic wooden bridge over a stream in Franklin Parker Preserve.

Further Afield: Franklin Parker Preserve

Old cranberry bogs, twisted pitch pine forests and remarkable wetlands teeming with animal life and rare plants are the enchanting backdrop for this electric bike ride through the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

More e-bike routes you might like:

spillway and bridge over new croton dam

An Old Croton Aqueduct E-Bike Route

Start with views of the magnificent New Croton Dam before skirting the forested Croton Reservoir and returning on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail.

A stream in autumn

The Vernooy Kill: A Southern Catskills Ride

A rushing stream with intermittent waterfalls follows the early part of this loop ride in Kerhonkson, in the Southern Catskills. Then the woods give way to farmland and grazing cattle.

The Ashokan: A Catskills Ride

Climb High Point Mountain Road, briefly; then enjoy a mostly-downhill roll through the foothills, all while surrounded by the Catskill Mountains. This 13-mile ride is lovely in autumn.

A brightly lit christmas tree in front of a large mansion at dusk.

The Garrison

Watch carefully for signs of the Revolutionary War — canon balls, milestones and markers — along this lovely wooded route in Putnam County. Bring the wide tires, and watch out for washboard rough roads.