Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Torne Mountain page.

The views just didn’t stop on this hike… Hewitt-Butler trail follows along the ridge so there are views almost the whole way. Gorgeous.

There are 360 degree views from Osio Rock (too hot-n-hazy to see NYC today), and we assume most people turn around here. We had intended to as well, and go back to Otter Hole to add in a loop from the main part of Norvin, but changed our mind and decided that since the trail goes off the map edge with the notation “To Camp Vacamas, 1 Mile”…. we needed to see where that took us. Read more…

NJ Hiking Norvin Green Blueberries, Moderate Hike, North NJ, Viewpoint

Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Turkey Mountain page.

Only had time for a short hike this weekend, so we headed to Turkey Mountain. This is located across the road from Pyramid Mountain in Boonton, NJ. Turkey Mountain has some nice hiking, but most people tend to head over to Pyramid for Tripod Rock and Bear Rock etc. Pyramid and Turkey offer easy access to decent hiking, and is also a great place for beginners.

5.4 miles, moderate, minimal elevation gain. 4 viewpoints: two obscured, one of a lake, and one of the NYC skyline (very faint in the day’s humid haze). Also pass the ruins of a house.

This is pretty much the longest loop you can put together on the Turkey Mountain side without duplicating trail sections. Easily make a longer day by combining this loop with one at Pyramid as well. Read more…

NJ Hiking Morris County Parks Central Jersey, Moderate Hike, Viewpoint

Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Headley Overlook page.

7.5 miles – Easy-moderate… first half on the Highlands trail was more rugged than the 2nd half on the Pine Swamp trail. Ogden Railroad is flat, level, cinder path. A good shorter hike would be to just do the Pine Swamp Loop from the main parking lot; that would be 3.8 miles with options to bail along the way.

It was Memorial Day so we wanted to head away from the traffic and the beach. We thought we were taking a gamble going to Mahlon, as there are campgrounds there, but we only saw a handful of people.

The first part of this route has a view point at Headley Overlook of Lake Hopatacong and lots of greenery towards the east. The view is nice but somewhat limited and not as grand as some viewpoints in the state – but worth checking out anyway. The Pine Swamp loop has no views but is nice, easy hiking and passes the “highest point in Morris County” at 1395′. Read more…

NJ Hiking Morris County Parks Central NJ, Moderate Hike, Morris County, Viewpoint

Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Sunrise Mountain page.

Been wanting to do this hike for awhile, but Stokes is a bit of a drive for us (1.75+ hrs from central NJ), so it makes for a long day… but it was worth it for a great view from Sunrise Mountain and just some nice secluded forest hiking.

The first viewpoint on the Cartwright trail – as the trail starts to head steeply up – is fantastic. Sit on a rock and look out over nothing but thick green… you can’t see or hear a road… a rare treat in NJ. Look north (your right if you are looking at the view) and spot the High Point Monument in the distance.

Sunrise Mountain can be driven up, and there is a parking lot near the viewpoint – so expect some people there. There also is a pavillion with benches down the trail a bit, but the views are obscured some by brush. The first view is better. Read more…

NJ Hiking High Point/Stokes Moderate Hike, North NJ, Viewpoint

Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Skylands Manor page.

Multiple views on this hike, plus you can wander around Skylands Manor and the NJ State Botanical Gardens. We did a 9.5 mile loop starting from Parking Lot A of the Manor:

Crossover (WHITE) to Halifax (RED) to Pierson Ridge (BLUE) to Crossover – past Ilgenstein Rock – Hoerferlin Memorial (YELLOW) – past Erskine Lookout – Old Guard (GREEN LEAF) to right on Ringwood/Ramapo (RED) to Crossover (WHITE)

…make sure you have map #115 of the NYNJTC North Jersey map set so you can follow all that!

Parking: Rt 287 N to exit 55 to Rt 511. Turn right onto Sloatsburg Rd, there should be signs for Ringwood. Right onto Morris Ave, go straight where there are stone lions on either side of the road and parking lot A will be on your left. Read more…

NJ Hiking Ringwood Moderate Hike, North NJ, Viewpoint