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Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge, which is part of the Somerset County Park system, has about 8 miles of hiking trails. This area, which is adjacent to The Great Swamp, abounds in natural beauty.
The Sourland Mountain Reserve (I think that is the name) in Hillsborough, is also part of the Somerset County Park system, and is also good for hiking, but the trails are very rocky and much more challenging than what you will find at Lord Stirling Park.
In Peapack-Gladstone, there is the Natirar complex. The central feature is the old Kate Macy Ladd mansion which now houses a very upscale restaurant and a cooking school, but the property includes a large walking track in the center and a "nature walk" area on the periphery. The nature walk is much more interesting than the track, and has some wonderful vistas. This is also owned by the Somerset County Parks Commission. We pay high taxes in this county, but the amenties are definitely good!
If you go to the website for the Somerset County Parks Commission, you can get info on all three areas.
Also--The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, which wends its way through Mercer and Somerset counties, has a decent walking/hiking trail alongside the canal. While the path did suffer considerable damage in some areas from Hurricane Irene, and despite our esteemed governor's apparent decision to reduce or eliminate maintenance in our state parks (I guess if someone never waddles further than from his office to the snack bar, his limo, or a helicopter, why would he see the need for hiking trails and recreation areas?), the D & R trail is useable, and the scenery tends to be beautiful and bucolic, with an abundance of wildlife and an absence of traffic noise or any other intrusions.
I'll see you down by the canal.
Last edited by Retriever; 03-18-2012 at 04:58 PM..
The water Gap has tons of trails some of them with lots of vistas. Warren and Sussex counties have lots of state parks and lots of rails to trails. A useful tool for northwest jn is skylands magazine.
Might I also suggest taking some field glasses, this time of year there is a lot of migration going on so bird watching is good. (especially around the lakes and rivers)
Might I also suggest taking some field glasses, this time of year there is a lot of migration going on so bird watching is good. (especially around the lakes and rivers)
Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge, which is part of the Somerset County Park system, has about 8 miles of hiking trails. This area, which is adjacent to The Great Swamp, abounds in natural beauty.
The Sourland Mountain Reserve (I think that is the name) in Hillsborough, is also part of the Somerset County Park system, and is also good for hiking, but the trails are very rocky and much more challenging than what you will find at Lord Stirling Park.
In Peapack-Gladstone, there is the Natirar complex. The central feature is the old Kate Macy Ladd mansion which now houses a very upscale restaurant and a cooking school, but the property includes a large walking track in the center and a "nature walk" area on the periphery. The nature walk is much more interesting than the track, and has some wonderful vistas. This is also owned by the Somerset County Parks Commission. We pay high taxes in this county, but the amenties are definitely good!
If you go to the website for the Somerset County Parks Commission, you can get info on all three areas.
Also--The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, which wends its way through Mercer and Somerset counties, has a decent walking/hiking trail alongside the canal. While the path did suffer considerable damage in some areas from Hurricane Irene, and despite our esteemed governor's apparent decision to reduce or eliminate maintenance in our state parks (I guess if someone never waddles further than from his office to the snack bar, his limo, or a helicopter, why would he see the need for hiking trails and recreation areas?), the D & R trail is useable, and the scenery tends to be beautiful and bucolic, with an abundance of wildlife and an absence of traffic noise or any other intrusions.
I'll see you down by the canal.
2nd the D&R canal, one of the things I miss about NJ along with the best Italian food especially Espos in Raritan and Pete and Elda's in Neptune for pizza.
You can get on the Appalachian Trail at the Delaware Water Gap or in High Point State Park. Many other trails through Stokes State Forest and High Point that fit your needs.
Lots of beautiful waterfalls in South Mountain Reservation (West Orange, Maplewood, and Millburn)!
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