Conquer These 5 Trekking Trails in New Jersey

  

New Jersey is home to several hikes and trails. No matter the season, hiking is something you can always do in New Jersey. The trekking trails in New Jersey range between 1 mile and go up to 10 miles. It is always a fun thing to go out and explore around to bring a smile to your face and wash the stress away. We have made a list of the 5 best trekking trails for you to explore while you stay at the best hotel in New Jersey. Check out the following trekking trails that are listed among the most beautiful and exciting places to explore.

Stairway to Heaven: Pochuck Valley to Pinwheel Vista

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Among the most famous hikes in New Jersey, the round trip of Stairway to Heaven is around 7.3 miles. While hiking to the Pinwheel Vista, you get the views of the famous Kittatinny Mountains from a distance, farms in the valley below, and the High Point Monument if the sky is clear. To complete the hike, you need to cross some hike boardwalks, a suspension bridge, a hardwood forest, fields of wildflowers, train tracks, cow posture, and boulder fields. The trek is a series of rock slab steps steeply switchbacking up Wawayanda Mountain. It is advised to the hikers to note that the hike is in a residential area with some parking issues. The designated car parking has room for about 10-12 cars. Hikers should consider the issues of the residents and be respectful to them.  

Grand Loop Trail at Morristown National Park, Morristown

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The Grand Loop Trail at Morristown National Park in Morristown, New Jersey has some easy trails along the gurgling streams and rolling hills. The length of the complete round trip is 7.4 or 6.9 miles. The hiking surface is filled with dirt and roots with a limited amount of rocks on and around the trail. The trail is gently marked with gentle elevation changes and slightly steeper hills. The hike is quite enjoyable and filled with lots of history. The area is said to have served as quarters for the Continental Army during the winters of 1777 and 1779-1780. The network of the trail crosses the park from two parking areas as well as near the Visitor Center. Hence, you can easily make loops of various lengths of as low as 3 miles and can go to 7.4 miles too.

Sourland Mountain Preserve, Hillsborough

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This 5.7-mile-long hiking trail allows you to hike over boardwalks and through the boulders of Devil’s Half Acre and Roaring Rocks. The hike has some minor elevation gains with a very rocky trail. Other major features of this hike are that mountain biking, horseback riding, and bouldering are also allowed. If you do not wish to take the longer hike, you can choose the shorter 1.4 miles orange hike around the Maple Flats. You can take the printout of the site’s map from the park site. You can also get the maps from the trial kiosk. You experience a solid loop of interesting rock formations during the hike. However, there are no views from any of the trails of Sourland Mountain Preserve.

Columbia Trail, Morris & Hunterdon County

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A rail trail in rural northwestern New Jersey, The Columbia Trail has a total length of 30.2 miles with turnarounds of 10.4 miles’ point or 22.6 miles’ point. The entire one-side trail is 15.1 miles. The shady rail trail runs along the Raritan River and through the mesmerizing Ken Lockwood Gorge. The trail, along with hiking, can also be used for biking and horseback riding. It passes through woods, farms, backyards, and a few towns from High Bridge in Hunterdon County to Barter Road in Morris County. The trail is wide and the surface is filled with packed dirt and gravel. The difficulty level of the trail is easy for hiking, biking, trail running, snow-shoeing, as well as cross-country skiing. Towards Bartley from High Bridge, there is a slight uphill grade. The street-crossings are not that frequent or are too busy.

Maurice River Bluffs Preserve Millville

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The Maurice River Bluffs is a short hike of 2.6 miles with a pleasant loop through pine barrens by the Maurice river. The Maurice River Bluffs Preserve is a 535-acre park with rare, hilly terrains in southern New Jersey. The hike falls under the easy category, the trail is soft and pine needle covered, does not have rocks, and is a bit sandy. The trails are very well-maintained and despite being short, it is a beautiful hike throughout the park. The park is also an important habitat for migrating birds and native species. Some cross-country skiers also use it during the winter. Hiking along the west bank of the Maurice river allows you to discover some concrete remains of the old granary that lies next to the river.

Wrap Up

New Jersey has many majestic hiking trails, of which we’ve mentioned only a few. Planning a trip to New Jersey and not planning a hike is missing so much fun. Stay at the best hotel in New Jersey and plan the best possible hikes. Adventure should never be missed, especially when you’re in New Jersey.