North Jersey hikes to take this fall

Fall is the perfect time to hike North Jersey's numerous trails.

The cooling temperatures and “some wonderful fall views out there,” said Daniel Chazin, a hiking expert and author. 

Whether looking for rock formations created by glaciers, a view of the Manhattan skyline, or just some solitude, moderate temperatures make this a great time of year to hit the trails, Chazin said. 

“There’s no snow on the ground, so you don’t need special equipment,” said the author of The Hike of the Week: A year of hikes in the New York metro area. “Because of the fall colors many people think it’s a beautiful time to go hiking.” 

Chazin, also hiking columnist for NorthJersey.com and The Record, recommends the following trails:

The Tourne 

The Tourne County Park can be accessed in Boonton and Kinnelon. Hikers who climb to the top of the Tourne will be rewarded with panoramic views. Wetlands  are another attraction. It features 4.5 miles of trails and hikes of varying difficulty. 

Following the wide gravel road that is the DeCamp Trail to the top of its moderate grade will bring you to a 9/11 memorial flag, and a panoramic view of the New York City skyline. Also visible is the Freedom Tower that now stands at the World Trade Center site. 

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Picnic tables dot the Tourne’s highest spot at 897 feet.

The park has many trails for those looking for solitude, Chazin recommends the Red Trail. Even though the trail has many twists and turns, he said this is an easy path that features a glacial erratic and a vernal pool. 

Glacial erratics are rocks that differ from surrounding rocks because they were carried far distances by glacial ice.

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area

Nearby Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Kinnelon has 3 miles of trails that range from beginner to moderate in difficulty and it features its own glacial erratic, Tripod Rock.

“There are many glacial erratics in the area, and Tripod Rock is probably the best known one,” said Chazin.  

Tripod Rock is a 180-ton boulder balanced on three smaller boulders that was created over 18,000 years ago. There are a few routes to Tripod Rock. The grade increases gradually on the winding Blue Trail making that trail the easiest. 

When the view opens up the Tripod Rock will be straight ahead — a massive boulder perched on three smaller rocks. 

Mountainside Park

Pequannocks’ Mountainside Park (also a 3 mile-round trip) boasts moderate and advanced trails. These well-marked trails are never crowded.  

Hikers who climb these steep and rocky paths are rewarded with panoramic view of north Jersey’s mountaintops and the Manhattan skyline. 

The Blue Trail is the most direct route to the top, but it parallels I-287, and with that comes the noise of traffic. 

For a quieter hike, start on the combined Red/Orange Trail and when it splits, continue on orange. When you reach the Red Trail again, take that up the mountain, said Kristin Nieto in Wayne Magazine. 

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Then turn right to follow the Orange Trail until you see Cedar Crest Village below. The White Trail leads to the peak from there. 

On a clear day the Manhattan skyline will be visible as the trees burst into autumn colors thanks to the leaves that cover the mountaintops. 

There is a bench for resting before heading back. If you’re still tired, the Yellow Trail is the shortest decline.   

Ramapo Valley County Reservation

Spread over 4,000 acres, the Ramapo Valley Reservation off Route 202 in Mahwah is the largest and most popular park in Bergen County, said Don Weise with the  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NYNJTC). It features five loop trails. The Vista Loop Trail, includes views from Hawk Rock, Cactus Ledge and Ridge Overlook.

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He said the trail network in the New Jersey Ramapo Mountains crosses through several preserved parks and old camps. Trails can also be followed south from Ramapo Reservation to Skyline Drive and beyond, he said. South of Skyline Drive trails lead through Ramapo State Forest, all the way to the northern end of Pompton Lakes.

Its variety of trails can accommodate easy strolls, strenuous exercise and a variety in between.

Abram Hewitt State Forest 

Chazin said one of his favorite hikes this time of year can be found in the Abram Hewitt State Forest. This is where the Bearfort Ridge Trail meets the Quail Trail.

“It’s a fairly challenging hike. It’s got some very unusual conglomerate rock formations and some very nice views,” he said. “You also come out at a beautiful lake.”  

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This hike loops across the Bearfort Ridge, featuring pitch pines growing out of bedrock and goes through a rhododendron tunnel before coming out onto the shore the aptly named Surprise Lake.

“It has all of those features and it’s a relatively remote area. A special area where the bedrock sliver has broken away from the main bedrock. You can sit there and enjoy a really nice view over a wetland. It is a very special place,” Chazin said. 

He recommends starting off from Warwick Turnpike. The loop is 6 miles long.  

Before you go

Fall hikes require minimal packing, Chazin said.  

“Keep an eye on the weather. If it could get cooler bring some extra clothing. Bring along some water and some food and a small first aid kit,” said Chazin. “If it’s getting late in the day definitely bring along a flashlight or a headlamp. You con’t want there to be any chance of getting stuck in the dark.”  

Email: myers@northjersey.com