3 Trails for Beginner Birders
Pack your binocs on these day trips along fall migration paths.
New Jersey Trails
The Delaware Water Gap is a major outdoor attraction in the tri-state area.
New Jersey, located in the northeastern U.S., is mostly covered by coastal plains, defined by gently rolling hills along the shoreline.
The Kittatinny Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains, occupy the northwest corner of the state. Here, the Delaware River has cut through and formed a deep water gap, the Delaware Water Gap. The 2,184-mile-long Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, passes through this area. Moving southeast, New Jersey's terrain is dominated by the Piedmont Plateau, dotted with small lakes, rivers, streams and valleys.
The editors at Backpacker have created an extensive collection of popular trails and trips for hiking and backpacking New Jersey.
New York, NY: Movement for Migration (Stokes State Forest, NJ)
Amble past amber maples on Kittatinny Ridge as golden eagles and hawks soar overhead on this overnight loop. BY KATRINA ROSSOS
New York City: Wawayanda State Park Loop
Hike, ski, or bike a hidden pocket of sylvan wilderness just an hour from Manhattan.
New York City: High Point
This 11.8-miler traces the Appalachian Trail along an idyllic ridgeline to New Jersey's highpoint, 60 miles from Manhattan.
Appalachian Trail: Warwick Turnpike to NY 17A
Connect New Jersey and New York on this rugged 8.6-mile route that traverses the glacier-cut spine of Bellvale Mountain.
Appalachian Trail: NJ 94 to Warwick Turnpike
This sweet 5.3-miler charges up Wawayanda Mountain, crosses a 19th century iron bridge, and cruises past Luther’s Rock, a boulder left by retreating glaciers.
Appalachian Trail: NJ 284 to NJ 94
Ten miles is all it takes to tour this medley of landscapes ranging from giant swamps in Vernon Valley to the glacier-scraped summit of Pochuck Mountain.
Appalachian Trail: NJ 23 to NJ 284
Soon after its start in Highpoint State Park, this 9.5-miler travels the New Jersey-New York border then crosses tens of small bridges through the Vernie Swamp. Add-on: Follow spur trail to New Jersey's highpoint.
Appalachian Trail: Culvers Gap to NJ 23
Walk along Kittatinny Ridge to the crest of Sunrise Mountain to photograph panoramas of the New Jersey Highlands and the Poconos before dropping down to High Point State Park.
Appalachian Trail: Millbrook-Blairstown Road to Culvers Gap
This 13.7-miler unfurls across the backbone of Kittatinny Ridge showcasing lake-dotted landscapes and views above Culvers Lake. Must see!: Take the sidetrip to Buttermilk Falls, New Jersey’s highest waterfall.
Appalachian Trail: Delaware River Bridge to Millbrook-Blairstown Road
Start where the Delaware River pours through Kittatinny Ridge to explore this 13.3-mile trek of a wooded ridgeline that runs past a glacial pond and a 60-foot fire tower.
New York City, NY: Old Guard Trail
Relive summer camp on a hike full of mini-habitats, historic relics, and hilltop views.
New York City, NY: Hartshorne Woods Park
See a different side of North Jersey from the Grand Tour Trail.
Newark, NJ: South Mountain Reservation
Hike to hidden falls, summit views and a Revolutionary War-era landmark on this 6-mile loop in South Mountain Reservation.
Morristown National Historical Park: Speedwell Park to Jockey Hollow Encampment
Follow George Washington's footsteps through swamplands and forests on this 7.6-mile trek (one-way) to Morristown National Historical Park.
Morristown, NJ: Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge
Traipse along the Great Swamp's boardwalk to sprawling, wildflower-speckled everglades and three world-class birding spots on this easy, two-mile loop near Morristown.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, NJ: Mount Tammany
Trek up 1,500-foot Mount Tammany for far-reaching views of the Kittatinny Mountains and the Delaware Water Gap on this 3.6-mile loop.
New York City: Sandy Hook
Explore bayside birding spots, forest-lined beaches, a historic army base, and the nation's oldest standing lighthouse on this 13-miler at Sandy Hook.
New York City: Liberty State Park Loop
Walk between a vast everglade, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island on this 5-mile loop through New Jersey's largest urban park.
Philadelphia: Parvin Lake-Long Trail-Thundergust Loop
Hike quiet trails along the seam where oak forests, hardwood swamps, and pitch pine lowlands meet. Cross streams tinted brown by cedar and bog iron, and take a dip in the park’s large, centerpiece lake on this easy 4.6-miler in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens.
Bloomingdale, NJ: Highlands Trail Loop
Find solitude atop rugged, open rock faces on this 5.6-mile loop in Norvin Green State Forest.
Rip & Go: Batona Trail, Wharton State Forest, NJ
Follow a river through the surprisingly wild Pine Barrens.
Readers' Choice 2012: Your Neck of the Woods - Northeast Hikes
Snag Big Apple skyline views, tackle four peaks in a day, rack up waterfalls, hike through history on the AT, and climb Vermont's highest peak.
Local Hikes: Northeast
Head out on one of these trails in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
