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West Orange, New Jersey

Top Spots in and near West Orange

  • Califon, New Jersey

    Explore the Ken Lockwood Gorge

    4.3
    One of New Jerseys best kept secrets has to be the Ken Lockwood Gorge. If you are looking for a relaxing, beautiful, and nature packs place then this area is perfect for you. You can access the gorge from two different points, either by driving down Raritan River Rd. and parking right before you ...
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  • Highlands, New Jersey

    Kayaking the Shrewsbury River

    You start at Tocci Ave in Monmouth Beach. (There is a park with a baseball field so often times on weekends there are baseball games. Depending on the time of day it can be difficult to get parking.) You use the launching ramp to put your kayak into the water and then you are off. You don't techn...
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  • Bear Mountain, New York

    Hike Bald Mountain, Bear Mountain State Park

    4.7
    6.8 mi / 1080 ft gain
    From your starting point at the Bear Mountain Inn, go left along the Cornell Mine Trail. (This part can be a bit confusing, but go past the carousel to a shaded picnic area; that is where the trail starts.) You will go under a bridge and follow the trail until it takes a sharp left and descends t...
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  • Cortlandt, New York

    Hike the Camp Smith Trail

    4.5
    5.92 mi / 1759 ft gain
    This approximately 3-hour hike borders the Hudson River, and is one of the best in Westchester County. Start off at the parking area at the Bear Mountain Tollhouse, or at a small parking area farther up Bear Mountain Road, if you want a slightly shorter hike. The trail is fairly steep in places, ...
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  • Princeton, New Jersey

    Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve Loop

    4.5
    2.3 mi / 157 ft gain
    An 8-mile network of maintained trails traversing this Preserve, Mountain Lakes North, John Witherspoon Woods,parts of Tusculum (private) and Community Park North makes a variety of loop hikes possible. Pathways include a boardwalk (over wetlands) and paved bicycle roads. Click here for a trail...
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  • Highland Falls, New York

    Popolopen Torne

    4.5
    1.18 mi / 531 ft gain
    Popolopen Torne is a hidden gem in the Hudson Valley, a surprisingly unknown trail with a beautiful payoff and a far deeper meaning. A short hike to the top puts you at the foot of a memorial to those who have served their country, a pile of painted rocks carried up by those who want to pay their...
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  • Frankford, New Jersey

    Picnic at the Sunrise Mountain Pavilion

    This pavilion is one of the key features along the New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail. There is a parking lot a very short hike part way down the mountain, but I recommend backpacking in from a different area to take in more of the beauty of the trail, mountains, and views in this area. ...
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  • Monroe, New York

    Hike the Jessup/Highlands/Long Path Trails

    7.8 mi / 500 ft gain
    This trails starts at a small park in Woodbury called Gonzaga Park.  Closed from mid-November to April, you are still able to park just outside the gate if that is the time of year you are hiking.  Three different trail names share this path.  The Jessup trail starts/end at Gonzaga Park and trave...
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  • Philipstown, New York

    Anthony's Nose via Appalachian Trail

    4.6
    1.95 mi / 682 ft gain
    Parking for the trail runs along both sides of 9D right up until the Bear Mountain Bridge. It can be busy on the weekends so just make sure you're as far off the road as you can and be especially careful unloading kids and dogs. The trailhead is located at approximately 41.322571, -73.975949 and ...
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  • Sandyston, New Jersey

    Hike the AT to Culvers Lookout Tower

    3.2 mi
    Start your journey in Stokes State Forest at the Culver Gap Parking Lot, located at 41.180239, -74.787954. From the parking lot, jump on over to the Appalachian Trail and hike Northbound. You know you're headed the right way if you are going away from the small town and cross over Sunrise Mountai...
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  • Hopewell, New Jersey

    Hike through the Sourland Mountain Preserve

    5.0
    2.91 mi
    The Sourland Mountain Preserve stretches from Hunterdon County all the way into Somerset County. The trails referenced here are on the southwest side of the preserve in Hunterdon County. They are accessible from an on site parking lot at 233 Rileyville Road in Ringoes NJ.There are several trails ...
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  • Philipstown, New York

    Hike the Osborn Loop

    7.6 mi / 850 ft gain
    The Osborn Loop trail itself is not a loop.  It connects to a 2.5 mile section of the Appalachian Trail.  Hiking these together creates the loop.  Start at the trail head for the Appalachian Trail on South Mountain Pass Road.  There is parking for two or three cars.  Walk up the road a short dist...
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  • Princeton, New Jersey

    Visit the Princeton Battlefield Park Suspension Bridge

    4.8
    0.5 mi
    To find this bridge, you essentially park at the Princeton Battlefield Park and walk all the way down towards the woods (you'll pass an old house if you're going the right way). When you enter the woods there will be a tight trail but it will quickly open up. When it does, you want to take a left...
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  • Wantage, New Jersey

    Hike the Iris Tail - Appalachian Tail Loop

    4.0
    9 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Start this hike from the Appalachian Trail parking area off route 23, south bound side, south of the park office. Follow the Blue Dot trail until is intersects with the Iris Trail. The Iris Trail (marked with red blazes) is a through hike that is about 5 miles long. It parallels the Appalachian T...
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  • Stamford, Connecticut

    Hike Cove Island Park Loop Trail

    5.0
    1.1 mi / 3 ft gain
    This trail is accessible year round and features water views of the Long Island Sound with beach access. The trail is a popular spot for walking, biking, fishing, and even bird watching. But if you’re not quite in the mood to get your steps in, you can use the small beach to sit and chat with a f...
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  • Sussex, New Jersey

    Camp at High Point State Park

    4.0
    You'll need at least a weekend to sample all that High Point State Park has to offer. One of the park's must-do hikes is to High Point Monument (1,803 ft), where you have panoramic views of the Pocono and Catskill Mountains, and the Wallkill River Valley. Additionally, there are 50 total miles of...
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