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Hike Mt. Tammany via Red Dot Trail

Columbia, New Jersey

4.6/5
based on 11 reviews

Details

Distance

2.3 miles

Elevation Gain

1115 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Katch Silva

Mt. Tammany is a great hike to take in a sunset at the summit or pack a picnic and enjoy the views of the Delaware River once you make it to the top.

This is a short but strenuous hike to a bluff overlooking the Delaware River and surrounding mountains and hills. The summit makes a good spot for a picnic or just for relaxing and watching the sunset. The entire hike also has plenty of beautiful photo ops, especially in the Fall.

Find the trailhead by the entrance to the parking lot, you will be following the Tammany Trail (also known as the Red Dot Trail).

Start up wooden steps, and keep left to continue on the trail. It starts off on a slight incline, but soon you'll reach more steep rocky terrain through the forest. Once you pass a few rocky parts, you will find the first outlook to the right. A very obvious rocky bluff, overlooking the Delaware River (and the highway). But don't worry, the views will get better! This is a good spot to take a short water break, since you've only climbed up about 400ft (and have 800ft more to go!)

After the break, continue on the trail through the forest, and you'll soon reach a very steep trail of rocky "steps". This is where it gets more strenuous! Climb up the rocks and through the trees, until the trail finally levels off again as you reach the top. You will soon reach the end of the Red Dot trail and see an open rocky bluff to your right. Follow this down for the best panoramic views on the Delaware River and Mount Minsi.

After the break, you have two options. You can take the other side back down, following the Blue Trail all the way to the white-blazed Appalachian Trail and back to the parking lot (which will bring the total length to 3.3 miles) or you can just take the same Red Dot Trail back to the parking lot (a slightly shorter total distance of 2.3 miles). If you are staying at the top until sunset, I recommend doing the shorter hike back, and remember your headlamp and bear spray, since this area sees a good amount of bear activity!

Here is a helpful map of the area to help find your way.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Forest
Picnic Area
Scenic
Wildlife

Hike Mt. Tammany via Red Dot Trail Reviews

Be prepared and carry the proper gear with you. As a search and rescue responder, this trail is the one we have responded to the most in the region. Carry plenty of water and wear proper footwear. Pay attention to the blazes and bring a flashlight even if you thing you'll be down before dark. The "ten essentials" are a good place to start when filling your back pack! Enjoy the hike!

Climbed this with my family while visiting a few years ago. Definitely strenuous, some points we felt like we had to climb! Fun trail though, and nice views at the top!

Finding hikes on the East Coast which get you elevation gain necessary for a panoramic vista can sometimes be hard.... but this one ticks all the boxes. Hike up to the top and enjoy lunch, or if you want a really great workout it is a nice challenge for trail running.

This hike is a relatively short climb with beautiful views. Be prepared for steep elevation and a few rock scrambles. The trail is popular, and the parking lot fills up quickly, so I would recommend going earlier in the day or later in the evening. If you're looking to catch a sunset without having to climb back down in the dark, I recommend hiking to the first lookout point for sunset, which is only about a 20 minute hike from the parking lot.

Beautiful & scenic loop... 😎

Not an easy hike! Short with an amazing view, but you will work for it. Also a super popular spot, so the trails and viewpoints can get crowded especially on weekends. Definitely a must!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike Mount Tammany's Red Dot and Blue Dot Loop

Hike to Sunfish Pond

Sunfish Pond via Red Dot, Tammany Fire Road, Turquoise and Dunnfield Creek Trail

Hike Mount Minsi

Hike the Mount Mohican-Raccoon Ridge Traverse

Kayak/Camp in the Delaware Water Gap