DUMBO Locals Discover 3 Mapped Walking Trails by Distance, Difficulty

DUMBO parks added three graded walking routes this spring that range from a flat 1.2-mile loop to a 5-mile climb with stairs and elevation changes.

Interest in outdoor routes grew after repeated mobile network failures this year left many residents without reliable navigation apps during commutes. City data from the Brooklyn Parks office showed a 28 percent rise in trail check-ins between January and June 2026 compared with the same period last year. The new ratings give walkers clear options without needing phone service.

Short flat routes

The easiest option starts at the Fulton Ferry Landing entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park and follows the East River path south past Jane's Carousel before looping back on the upper promenade. The full circuit measures 1.2 miles with no elevation gain and benches every 200 yards. The DUMBO Improvement District posts updated maps at the Washington Street kiosk each Monday.

A second moderate route begins at the same landing and continues north along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway to the Navy Yard gate and returns via the same path for a total of 3.5 miles. The surface mixes pavement and crushed stone with one short set of wooden stairs at the Navy Yard turn. Walkers report the round trip takes 70 minutes at a steady pace.

Longer routes with elevation

The most demanding trail leaves from the same starting point but climbs the stairs at the Manhattan Bridge pedestrian entrance, crosses into the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and descends again at Pierrepont Street before returning along the water. The loop covers 5 miles and includes 180 feet of total elevation. The route is marked with blue trail blazes installed by the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative in April 2025.

Trail counters installed by the NYC Parks Department recorded 4,200 passes on the 5-mile route during the first two weeks of June. No entry fee applies to any of the three paths, though the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy requests a $10 suggested donation for its annual maintenance fund.

Walkers planning to use the longer routes should start before 8 a.m. to avoid heat buildup on the exposed sections near the water. Updated paper maps remain available at the Empire Fulton Ferry Park field house on Front Street seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.