GO FOR A WALK: Princeton’s reputation as a walkable community is not limited to its downtown streets. The acres of preserved open space just north of town include a network of paths and trails, and the Friends of Princeton Open Space is sponsoring three guided walks across the area on Saturday, April 14. (Photo by Eric Tazelaar)

Strolling the trails of the Greater Mountain Lakes Open Space Area, people tend to forget that they are in the most densely populated state in the nation. But these 400 acres north of downtown Princeton are peaceful and secluded. Hiking and biking trails, some of which connect to each other, stretch over woods, fields, and stream corridors.

Making the public aware of this network of natural resources is the goal of “Walks Across Princeton,” set for Saturday, April 14 and geared toward amateur and serious hikers alike. Participants in each of the three walks will meet midway at the Mountain Lakes House in the Mountain Lakes Preserve, to be fortified by refreshments before venturing back to where they started.

“I got to know the trails when I was writing my book, Walk the Trails In and Around Princeton,” says Sophie Glovier, a board member of Friends of Princeton Open Space, which is sponsoring the event. “I realized that people might not know about these trails that connect to each other. I thought, wouldn’t it be great to have a day where we show people how to do this?”

The Short Walk, about 20 minutes each way, will begin at 1:45 p.m. at Community Park North parking area off Mountain Avenue, going through the “piney woods” and over the fields of Tusculum on the way to the Mountain Lakes House. “Even though it’s short, this is a wonderful walk that gives a sense of the topography we have,” says Ms. Glovier. “It goes from Pettoranello Gardens through a little stretch of woods, and then comes out into the fields of Tusculum, which were recently mowed and are just beautiful.”

More advanced hikers can try the Medium Walk, which is about 30 minutes each way. It starts at the Stuart Country Day School parking area at 1:30 p.m. Participants will walk through the woods and fields of the more than 280 acres of the preserve, known to some as “Princeton’s Central Park,” on their way to Mountain Lakes House. Along the way, they might see distinctive rock formations and native plants like blood root and trout lily, making their first appearance of the season, Ms. Glovier says.

The most ambitious walkers who opt for the Long Walk will meet at the Hun School at 1 p.m. for a stroll that takes about 90 minutes each way. They will follow a trail along the Stony Brook to connect with a bike path, local sidewalks, and across Coventry Farm into Mountain Lakes Preserve, before arriving at Mountain Lakes House. Walkers might encounter a few herons along Stony Brook.

“This is the first time we are doing this,” says Ms. Glovier. “We wanted to make these trails available to people of different walking abilities and different interests. We’ve got guides who will be leading the walks, and the trails will be well marked that day.”

Friends of Princeton Open Space was founded in 1969. Most of the Greater Mountain Lakes Open Space Area is open to the public. Along with views of Tusculum, the estate built by John Witherspoon, and historic Coventry Farm, it includes open fields, small streams and lakes, old stone walls, boulder fields, and old growth pine and hardwood forests.

Registration is required for the Walks Across Princeton. Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/9DY26K6 or call (609) 921-2772.