Hiking and Biking Trails in NJ

New Jersey has more trails than you can imagine. Wanna go hiking or biking? Read on. We share with you some of our favorite trails. Make a day of it and pack a picnic lunch for after the hike.

Abraham S. Hewitt State Park

Rocky outcrops and upland swamps characterize Abram S. Hewitt State Forest. Upon entering the forest, the Appalachian Trail ascends to Bearfort Ridge. The glacially carved ridge offers spectacular views eastward along Greenwood Lake. Bearfort Mountain is the eastern terminus of the Wawayanda Plateau. At this point, the Appalachian Trail leaves New Jersey and enters New York. West Milford Township

Allaire State Park

Best known for its historic 19th-century iron making town, Allaire Village, and its antique steam trains on the Pine Creek Railroad. The Manasquan River, which winds through the park, attracts canoeists and fishermen. The river’s floodplain provides habitat for over 200 species of wildflowers, trees and plants as well as habitat for birds and other wildlife. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders enjoy the many trails in the park. Farmingdale

Allamuchy State Park

There are more than 14 miles of marked trails available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in the Allamuchy Natural Area. There also are more than 20 miles of unmarked trails available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in the Northern Section of Allamuchy Mountain State Park. A 3 mile section of the Sussex Branch Trail starts at Waterloo Road and goes northwest to Cranberry Lake. Using an old railroad bed, this trail provides the hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders easy access from Waterloo Road through Kittatinny Valley State Park to Branchville, New Jersey. Hackettstown

High Mountain Park Preserve

The summit of High Mountain can be reached by following the Red Trail to the Yellow Trail. From the summit, continue on the Yellow Trail until it turns south back to the Red Trail that returns to the parking lot for a nice circular hike. The Preserve features many miles of scenic and interesting trails. While visiting please stay on the blazed trails and help us protect the plants and wildlife. Public parking and access to High Mountain's extensive trail system are provided by Parking Lot #6 at William Paterson University on College Road about a mile from Hamburg Turnpike. Park at the top tier of the lot and cross College Road to the beginning of the Red Trail (three red blazes on the guardrail). Read More

James A. McFaul Environmental Center

The main building, which overlooks the waterfowl pond, has an auditorium, browsing library and nature exhibits. Winding paths on this 81-acre site brings you to woodland gardens and animal shelters. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk takes you along the edge of the pond to a two-story observation platform. The site includes a waterfowl pond, bird shelters, a boardwalk, nature trail, memorial gazebo and natural science exhibits. Read More >>

Loantaka Brook Reservation

It encompasses more than 570 acres and is adjacent to one of the more populated urbanized areas of the county. There are nearly five miles of trails in the park which provide biking, jogging, hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing opportunities. Morris Town. Read More

Lewis Morris Park

1154 acres, which includes a lake recreation area, Parcourse Exercise Circuit, three ballfields, a group camping area and six distinct picnic areas. Lewis Morris Park, one of the first parks to benefit from the Interpretive Signage program, is also one of the sites where equestrian trails are designated and implemented. Things To Do: Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Ridging, Ice Skating, Sledding, Snowshoeing, X-Country Skiing. Read More

Palisades Interstate Park

Two main trails each cover most of the approximately 13-mile length of the Park. Both have been designated National Recreation Trails. Shore Trail: The Shore Trail begins at the southern park entrance at the Edgewater–Fort Lee border, descends to the Hudson River, then follows along the Hudson’s shore, eventually crossing the Giant Stairs and on to Peanut Leap Cascade, where it steeply ascends back to the cliff top just north of the New York–New Jersey state line, ending at its junction with the Long Path. Except for the Giant Stairs and the northern terminus, the trail covers easy to moderate terrain. Long Path: The Long Path follows the top of the cliffs from just outside the Visitor Center at Fort Lee Historic Park to the state line on U.S. Route 9W. (It then continues into New York State.) The trail covers easy to moderate terrain throughout. Cycling is permitted on Henry Hudson Drive from River Road in Edgewater up to and including Alpine Approach Road. Bicycles must have wheels of at least 24 inches and riders must be over 14 years old, wear helmets, and obey all traffic and park regulations. Bicycles are also allowed on Old Route 9W (closed to automobile traffic) from U.S. Route 9W to State Line Lookout. Read More

Ringwood State Park

Trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Boat Rental and canoe rentals available. Read More

Saddle River County Park

Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ridgewood, Rochelle Park and Saddle Brook

Saddle River County Park is a 577-acre linear park that meanders with the Saddle River and its tributary brooks. It consists of five park areas that are linked by a multi-use path, including circular paths around some ponds.

Multi-use pathway/Bicycle-Pedestrian Path: This bike and pedestrian path travels from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park and is approximately 6 miles in length. This continuous path runs through Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, Paramus, Saddle Brook and Rochelle Park and under Route 4. This path also follows the Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and passes by the Historic Easton Tower at Route 4. The path features a scenic waterfall at Dunkerhook Park, and there are three ponds, tree shaded picnic areas, pavilions, playgrounds, tennis courts and athletic fields accessible along the path. Read More

South Mountain Reservation

So. Orange Ave. & Cherry Lane, West Orange

Largest parkland in Essex County. Ten picnic areas. Nineteen miles of hiking and walking trails. Twenty-seven miles of carriage roads for jogging, horseback riding, & cross-country skiing. Fishing at Diamond Mill Pond. Hemlock Falls. Various wildlife, including deer. Turtle Back Zoo. Rahway River runs through the valley into several ponds and the Orange Reservoir. Richard J. Codey Arena — contains two indoor ice skating rinks. Read More

Verona Park

Bloomfield Ave. & Lakeside Ave., Verona

Verona Park is a 54.32-acre, picturesque park with a beautiful lake bordered by Lakeside and Bloomfield Avenues in the southern part of Verona. This is the fifth largest park within the system.