The September 11th National Memorial Trail is a profound 1,300+ mile continuous routing of multi-use trails, greenways, and historic roadways that honors the heroes, fallen, and first responders of September 11, 2001. Traversing six states—Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia—along with Washington, D.C., this landmark network transforms remembrance into active pilgrimage. Designed for cyclists, walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike, the trail weaves through diverse American landscapes, blending vibrant urban corridors and quiet rural farmland with some of our nation's most historic grounds.

At the heart of the trail are three sacred destinations, each standing as a powerful sanctuary of reflection:

• The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (New York, NY): Located at Ground Zero, the twin reflective pools set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers commemorate the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks.

• The Pentagon Memorial (Arlington, VA): Positioned just outside the Pentagon, 184 illuminated Memorial Benches honor each life lost aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and inside the building.

• The Flight 93 National Memorial (Shanksville, PA): Set against the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, the Plaza, Wall of Names, and Tower of Voices honor the 40 courageous passengers and crew members who fought back to protect our nation.

Connecting these historic sites requires covering immense ground across the mid-Atlantic region. Standard routing distances between the primary memorial hubs span approximately 330 miles from New York City down to the Pentagon, roughly 230 miles from the Pentagon northwest to Shanksville, and around 310 miles returning east from Shanksville back toward NYC. Taken as a complete, interconnected triangular loop, the full trail stretches over 1,300 miles (with additional regional trail connectors expanding the broader trail alliance network to over 1,500 miles). Whether completed in dedicated sections or tackled as a long-distance tour, every leg of the journey invites participants to move with purpose and remember through action.

To mark a quarter-century of remembrance, the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance is hosting the 25th Anniversary Cycling Challenge. Spanning a full six-month season from May 2 through October 27, 2026, this special event series brings together cyclists of all skill levels across the Mid-Atlantic to turn miles into meaningful tribute.

Featuring over 30 organized rides across seven states (PA, NJ, NY, MD, DE, VA, and NC), the challenge offers flexible options for everyone—from casual 10-mile family loops to demanding multi-day century tours. Participants can choose to ride in a single local event, conquer multiple weekend rides, or take on dedicated official trail tours like the flagship 1,250-mile 9/11 NMT Tour starting in Arlington, VA.

How the Challenge Works

Challenge Rewards & Tiers

Every mile logged directly supports the Alliance’s ongoing work to maintain, connect, and expand the trail corridor. To celebrate your progress, participants earn commemorative awards at key seasonal distance thresholds:

Famous Connected Trails & Diverse Terrain

What makes the 9/11 National Memorial Trail truly unique is its role as a master connector. Rather than creating a single isolated path, the Alliance stitched together 38 partner trails and historic greenways, creating a continuous 1,500-mile corridor across seven states and Washington, D.C.

Riding or walking the challenge routes means traveling through some of the country's most iconic multi-use systems:

• The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP): Stretching between southwestern Pennsylvania and Maryland, this world-class rail-trail offers smooth, low-grade riding through the Laurel Highlands and past historic railroad infrastructure.

• The C&O Canal Towpath: Running 184.5 miles alongside the Potomac River from Cumberland, MD, to Georgetown, D.C., this historic dirt-and-crushed-stone path immerses travelers in lush canopy and early American canal history.

• The East Coast Greenway (ECG): Serving as the spine for the trail's eastern leg, this network connects bustling urban greenways—such as the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway and the Mount Vernon Trail—with serene coastal corridors.

• Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L): Following coal-haul canals and rail lines, this scenic PA route carries riders through the dramatic Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Terrain Breakdown & Surface Composition

Because the network connects distinct geographic regions—from coastal estuaries to the Allegheny Mountains—participants encounter a wide variety of riding environments. Roughly 51% of the trail consists of off-road multi-use paths, while 49% follows connecting on-road routes through historic towns and quiet rural roads.

Ride for Remembrance: Take on the Challenge Today

The September 11th National Memorial Trail is far more than a physical path across the map—it is a living monument built on endurance, unity, and hope. Every pedal stroke along these 1,300+ miles honors the lives lost, pays tribute to the bravery of our first responders, and connects our communities through shared history.

Whether you log 10 miles in a local community ride or challenge yourself to clock thousands of miles across the Mid-Atlantic this season, your participation helps keep this vital corridor thriving for generations to come.

Ready to Roll? Here’s How to Join:

1. Register for the 25th Anniversary Challenge: Sign up on the official 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance page with a single $100 registration fee to track your miles all season long.

2. Pick Your Rides: Choose from over 30 organized events from May through October 2026, or design your own custom segments along the trail.

3. Log Your Miles & Earn Rewards: Check in at Alliance booths to track your progress and earn exclusive milestone gear—from commemorative coins to custom cycling jerseys.

4. Spread the Word & Support: Not a cyclist? You can still make a difference by donating directly to the Alliance, volunteering at events, or sharing the trail’s mission with your community.