Best Hiking Destinations in New Jersey

If you’re looking for a getaway, hiking can be a great release from the chaos of Verona’s suburbs. Every reservation has different possibilities of short and easy or long and hard treks depending on which trail you follow.

Some of the best hikes in New Jersey, all within a driving distance of one hour or shorter from Verona, include Four Birds Trail, Stairway to Heaven, Wawayanda- Terrace Pond Loop, Hacklebarney State Park, Norvin Green State Forest, and Ramapo Mountain S.F. Each reservation has different sights to see with varying physical features. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The Four Birds Trail is great for its “hawk watch,” an open panoramic view at the top of the mountain. Many people hike up there with binoculars and telescopes to bird watch. If bird watching isn’t your thing, it’s still a great wide view and a mild hike.
  • Stairway to Heaven is part of the Appalachian Trail; part of the trail has rock steps to the top where you can look out. The section before this one is also great because most of it is on a boardwalk with a monumental walking bridge over the swamp lands, then into the woods. In order to cross from one section to the next you have to pass through a field of cows.
  • Terrace Pond Loop at Wawayanda has a surprise lake at the top that you can hike up to. In the summer,  teenagers like to go cliff jumping and swimming in the lake. There are many turtles, frogs and salamanders to see among many other animals.
  • Hacklebarney is an easier trail compared to others. The main attraction is the Black River, a river that goes through the park. Fishing and camping are allowed in some areas of the reservation.
  • Norvin Green State Forest has many lookout points until you reach the rock covered mountaintop overlooking the reservoir. At the bottom near parking there is a natural pool open to swimming over the summer.
  • Ramapo Mountain S.F  has a paved path surrounding a lake and an old abandoned castle at the top. The castle is worth seeing; at your leisure, you can walk around and in the structure.

If you’re looking for a close, easy hike, Mills Reservation, South Mountain, and Hilltop are all within fifteen minutes of Verona.