It was Forty-four years ago when President Nixon named the last Friday of April as Arbor Day, a holiday dedicated solely to planting and caring for trees. It was intended to boost the economy and raise awareness about the environment. Nowadays, we have numerous “green” initiatives to help promote and nourish the environment all year round; so why not spend this Arbor Day (April 29) appreciating the beauty of nature by taking scenic hikes through one of the Garden State’s numerous tree-laden trails?
“A walk in a forest provides a sense of awe when you are in the midst of giant trees standing 160 feet tall that are 4 feet in diameter,” says Dave Hogenauer, a leader for the TriState Ramblers Hiking Club in Morristown. “What living thing is bigger? But, most of all, it can provide peace being away from the rush of traffic and the stress of life.”
Best of NJ asked Hogenauer to name his top 5 favorite trails in NJ. Below are his responses:
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South Mountain Reservation
Standout Trail: Hogenauer recommends taking Lenape Trail on a 6-mile trek to Hemlock Falls, where you’ll see a breathtaking 25-foot high waterfall before returning back on the Rahway River Road Trail.
Location: Essex County
Estimated Duration: 3 hours
Hours: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Why It’s Great: This moderate-to-easy hike leads you past Washington Rock, where George Washington supposedly stood during the Battle of Springfield; as well as past Mines Point, where mines were dug in the 1800s; and Hemlock Falls, aptly named for the Hemlock trees that grow in the area.
Website: http://www.essexcountyparks.org/parks/south-mountain-reservation
Abram S. Hewitt State Forest
Standout Trail: The 6-mile loop starting on Jeremy Glick Trail, to the right of the small parking lot off of Warwick Turnpike, which eventually leads to a spectacular lookout over Greenwood Lake.
Location: West Milford
Estimated Duration: 5 hours
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Why It’s Great: Hikers will literally feel on top of the world at the top of the 3-mile trail where they can sit on a group of flat rocks to enjoy one of the most spectacular lookout points in all of New Jersey.
Website: http://www.njparksandforests.org/parks/abram.html
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Standout Trail: Hogenauer highly recommends Mount Tammany, which starts at the southern end of the parking lot up, looping back around to the Appalachian Trail atop this low-forested mountain renowned for its 1000-foot deep Water Gap.
Location: Border of New Jersey and the Delaware River
Estimated Duration: 3 hours
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Why It’s Great: Reward yourself with gorgeous views of the Delaware River after hiking up this 1.3-mile rocky slope across the river to Mount Minsi in Pennsylvania.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/index.htm
Sourland Mountain Preserve
Standout Trail: The Ridge Trail is marked by square cutouts starting 10 minutes past the parking lot then leading into the woods for a moderate hike that spans 5 miles long.
Location: Somerset County
Estimated Duration: 3 hours
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Why It’s Great: This terrific trail culminates in a view surrounded by large trees and tons of foliage. You’ll eventually see two huge rocks known as Roaring Brook Boulders, with a path winding between them which Hogenauer highly recommends climbing so you can explore more closely.
Website: http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parks/facilities/sourland/sourlandmtpreserve.html
Stokes State Forest
Standout Trail: Challenge yourself by starting on the Swenson Trail for 1.8 miles before heading to the Tinsley Trail, crossing over the Appalachian Trail and, finally, heading uphill to the Tower Trail before retracing your steps 1.9 miles back to the parking lot.
Location: Sussex County
Estimated Duration: 4.5 hours
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Why It’s Great: After breaking a sweat, stop to catch your breath at two lookout points including a large number of evergreens and a clear view of the area’s bountiful lakes.
Website: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/stokes.html
Hero (Top) Feature Image: © oldmn / Adobe Stock
Additional Images (in Order) Courtesy:
South Mountain Reserve / Wikimedia
Abram S. Hewitt State Forest / njparksandforests.org
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area / Wikimedia
Sourland Mountain Preserve / Wikimedia
Stokes State Forest / Wikimedia
