NJ hiking trails North Jersey has every peak above 1,000 feet
New Jersey is home to some of the most idyllic spots for hiking and biking on the eastern seaboard, and while it may not have skyscrapers à la Denali, it boasts dozens of peaks whose elevation rises above 1,000 feet. And all those mountains just happen to be in North Jersey.
From an aptly named summit where three states can be viewed from one spot to a peak where the sunrises are among the best, the state’s mightiest mountaintops are all within reach. While most are heavily trafficked trails that lead to scenic overlooks, some aren’t leisurely walks in the woods (thorns and heavy vegetation included), so be mindful before you set outdoors for that next adventure.
Most of the summits are located within the Kittatinny Mountains and the Highlands with Sussex, Passaic and Warren counties home to the most. Morris and Bergen counties also made the list with several summits above 1,000 feet.
The New Jersey 1K Club has tallied 52 peaks in the state that rise above that 1,000-foot mark. The 1K Club consists of a group of likeminded people whose aim is to climb the state’s loftiest mountains, while exploring some lesser-known areas in the state. While they mention just 52 peaks, some key summits in New Jersey, including the fantastic Blue, Bird and Rattlesnake mountains in Walpack, are missing from the list. The number could be closer to 60 or more, according to peakbagger.com, an online resource for summit-focused hikers.
And yes, “peak bagger” is a real term for those who take on the challenge of ascending all peaks over a certain elevation in a certain geographic area: Peak baggers. The 46’ers are peak baggers who have climbed all 46 summits in New York’s Adirondack Mountains and the Catskill 3,500 Club climbs the highest peaks in the Catskills while New Hampshire has the Appalachian Mountain Club Four Thousand Footer Club, formed for those who seek to explore the state’s White Mountains.
For a taste of what New Jersey has to offer, here are the top 10 loftiest mountains to explore and how to get there:
Honorable mentions:
- Morris County’s highest point, marked with a large red sign, is located within the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and can be accessed via a trail off Weldon Road in Jefferson. At 1,350 feet, it didn’t quite make the top 10, but is still worth exploring. There are several trails that connect, but the easiest trail can be accessed via the Saffin Pond parking lot, according to AllTrails, a popular fitness and travel mobile app used in outdoor recreational activities.
- Boulder Pine Peak in West Milford in Passaic County rises to 1,420 feet and has an unmarked but maintained path to the top. It can be accessed from the P7 parking lot on Clinton Road near Bearfort Waters (warning: the lot may require a parking permit). Once there, hikers can follow the Old Coal Trail and take a right onto Split Rock Trail to ascend to the top. Fun fact: The trail is dotted with unusual cairns, which are human-made stacks or mounds of rocks.
- Bearfort Mountain North, also in West Milford, reaches 1,460 feet above sea level. Part of a nearly uninterrupted ridge called the New York/New Jersey Green Pond Outlier, the area has unobstructed views toward the east including a view of New York City through a gap in the mountains, according to the New Jersey 1K Club. One hiker says the highest point is actually located in a spot in the middle of the woods and doesn’t offer the best view. At closer to 1,300-feet on the Earnest Walker Trail, hikers can stop and take in the view from the ridgeline of the Ramapo Mountains, the Wyanoke Plateau, and Sterling Forest in New York.
Wawayanda Mountain (Vernon, Sussex County) – 1,460 feet
This spot tied for eighth-highest spot in the state is a plateau located in the eastern edge of the Vernon Valley. Most famous for the “Stairway to Heaven” trail, a well-trafficked boardwalk in Vernon, the actual summit of the mountain is without a trail but can be reached by hopping on the Appalachian Trail and up Pinwheel Vista.
Bearfort Mountain (West Milford, Passaic County) – 1,480 feet
Passaic County’s highest point offers a beautiful view of Terrace Pond. Hikers say to park at the P7 parking lot and head up the Terrace Pond North trail to the summit. Enjoy the “floating” ladder and walkway!
Hamburg Mountain (Hamburg, Sussex County) – 1,495 feet
Hikers say to take Route 23 south in Hamburg and turn onto Route 517/Rudetown Road, and once there, turn onto Sand Pond Road where there is a pull-off for the hike. It is mostly off-trail, but several hikers have mastered it. While it doesn’t offer a pristine view of much, it does have a cairn that marks the highest point.
Rattlesnake (1,497 feet) and Bird (1,492 feet) mountains (Walpack, Sussex County)
Combined with Blue Mountain, with a high of 1,450 feet, these three peaks are located along the Kittatinny Ridge near the New Jersey border in Walpack. Hikers say Rattlesnake Mountain offers panoramic views from the top.
The most rewarding trail with open meadows and views is along the Appalachian Trail but there are several access points on Brinks Road in Stokes State Forest, from Buttermilk Falls and Culvers Gap.
Pro tip: Hikers say the 11-mile hike across the trio of mountains is one of the most difficult along the New Jersey portion of the Appalachian Trail with very rocky and jagged terrain. Be prepared!
Mount Tammany (Hardwick, Warren County) – 1,549 feet
It may only be the fifth highest mountain in the state, but Mount Tammany is arguably one of the most popular and the view from the top is epic. Two trails lead to the top, where they both meet at a spot overlooking the Delaware River. The red-blazed trail, while shorter (1.5 miles), is by far the steeper of the two. The blue-blazed trail is longer (2.5 miles) but often preferred for its less severe inclines.
Pro tip: The Dunnfield Creek Parking Area off I-80 west may fill by 9 a.m. on weekends, so arrive early.
Catfish Mountain (Hardwick, Warren County) – 1,560 feet
You’ll want to find parking on Millbrook Road, if you can, pass the metal gate and hop on the Appalachian Trail. It’s moderately difficult but the view is worth it: on a clear day, hikers can see the Catskill Mountains to the north and the Poconos to the west. At the summit is Catfish Tower, which rises 60 feet in the air. The tower is staffed by state fire wardens in late winter and early spring and again in the fall who keep an eye out for forest fires.
Mount Mohican (Blairstown, Warren County) – 1,580 feet
Unofficially called Raccoon Ridge, the mountain is the tallest in Warren County and is part of the Kittatinny Mountains. It lies along the Appalachian Trail in Worthington State Forest and is situated between Mount Tammany and Catfish Mountain. Check it out if you want a moderate to strenuous hike that takes roughly 6 miles in and out.
Fun fact: The ridge is a prime spot to catch migrating hawks passing through on their journey south between August until early December.
Mount Paradise (Walpack, Sussex County) – 1,606 feet
Located between Catfish and Rattlesnake mountains, the summit can be reached by taking the steps up the Buttermilk Falls Trail, crossing over the bridge at the top of the falls and then taking the steep hike up. The summit is located near a radio communications tower, and while the view may not be spectacular, a trip to Buttermilk Falls, New Jersey’s tallest waterfall, is always a treat.
Sunrise Mountain (Montague, Sussex County) – 1,653 feet
Named for the glorious sunrises seen from the east-facing lookout, Sunrise Mountain should be on every hiker’s bucket list.
From the trailhead on Deckertown Turnpike, you’ll traverse comfortably rolling terrain along the Appalachian Trail through hardwood forest before crossing into steeper, rockier terrain leading to the 1,653-foot summit.
Pro tip: The autumn months offer a beautiful view of the changing leaves over the Kittatinny Valley.
High Point (Wantage, Sussex County) – 1,803 feet
The highest peak in the state belongs to the appropriately named High Point, the summit of Kittatinny Ridge located within High Point State Park in Wantage. The spot offers a panoramic view of the Poconos in Pennsylvania, the Catskills in New York and the Kittatinny Mountains in New Jersey. During weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, the 220-foot monument, dedicated to war veterans, is open for those wanting to climb the 291 steps to the top.
Want to go? There are several ways to get to the state’s highest spot including options to park at Lake Marcia Beach parking lot inside the park, hike the 3.5-mile Monument Trail loop, or drive and walk a short distance to the monument.
Lori Comstock can be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.
