Hike Mt. Tammany via Red Dot Trail
Columbia, New Jersey
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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Hike Mt. Tammany via Red Dot Trail Reviews
I loved this hike! It was scenic enough that I forgot how close the road was to us... then when stopped at one of the overlooks and saw the highway, I remembered I was in New Jersey. Definitely recommend this to people looking for something not too difficult, but still a workout.
5.0
My favorite part of this hike was the rocky path to the top. Going off the trail during anytime of the ascent, gives some fun scrambling spots!
5.0
Short, but at times rocky and steep, hike. Great views and worth the trip, but usually quite crowded. Please if you go, carry out your trash! We collected quite an assortment of empty water bottles, beer cans, and food wrappers on our hike.
4.0
My wife and I made this hike with our three young sons and found it to be a perfect family adventure! Wearing my two year old, but letting our 8 and 5 year old hike the distance, it was an entertaining hike for us all. While the view from the top was nice (up via the "Red Dot trail"), we quite enjoyed the view on the return loop along the stream (blue dot to the Appalachian) with the multiple small waterfalls and pools being the highlight. The only negatives would be the crowds on the trail, but even in consideration of the heavy foot traffic, the trail was kept quite clean.
4.0
One of my favorite NJ hikes. The climb can be a little strenuous, but a lot of fun and totally worth it when you reach the top. The views over the Delaware are fantastic, and the hike itself is scenic as well. Last time I was there it began pouring rain just as I was about to begin my descent. The trail got muddy and slippery pretty quickly so be aware of the weather before you go and prepare accordingly.
4.0
Great 2.5 hour hike on the NJ/PA border. The summit can be a bit crowded on weekends but there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view. After the rocky climb up (about 450 ft) be on the lookout of some great openings to the right. You can snap photos with the "gap", river, and summit all in one. I would recommend trekking poles as well, the hike back down can be very steep at time.
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
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