A densely forested ridge called Musconetcong Mountain runs across the northern part of Hunterdon County and is part of the Highlands Region of New Jersey.

A rustic footpath leading up the mountain is steep in some sections, but hikers are rewarded with a scenic view of Spruce Run Reservoir through the trees. The mountain is home to deer and the occasional scarlet tanager.

Now, the public can easily explore the ridge thanks to the Musconetcong Mountain Conservancy, a local group that has completed a three-mile trail through a state-owned wildlife management area in Bethlehem and Union townships.

The new trail also fills in a gap in the proposed 160-mile Highlands Trail from New York through New Jersey to the Delaware River, a continuous walking route that will connect scenic areas in both states.

The Musconetcong Mountain Conservancy plans ceremonies on June 7 -- National Trails Day -- to mark the completion of the trail. The public is invited to the 10:30 a.m. event off Polktown Road in Union Township.

"It's a nice feature to have for the public. You think you are 100 miles away once you get on the trail. In some places, it's so peaceful," said John Jimenez, a founding member of the conservancy and a Bethlehem Township committeeman.

Much of the group's work deals with talking to property owners to get access to land for trails and working with governing bodies about preserving open space, he said.

"We saw building the trail as something fun for the group to do and to get some visibility for the group. Instead of pushing papers, you can do something where you stand back and see that you accomplished something at the end of the day," Jimenez said.

About six years ago, the Musconetcong group heard about the idea of a Highlands trail and decided to take up the cause, Jimenez said.

A couple of years ago, the group carved a trail through the upper forest region of the mountain, using hand tools to cut away branches and brush, said Joyce Koch, a member of the conservancy from Bethlehem Township.

Last fall, members of the group painted teal-colored markers on trees and posts along the lower trail, she said. This spring, they did more clearing and installed six additional wooden posts.

Earlier this week, Koch and Suzanne Wilder finished painting markers on trees and nailing small signs to the wooden posts.

The new trail ends at a privately owned tract Bethlehem Township is hoping to gain access to, Jimenez said. His goal is to extend the trail through Hunterdon County parkland as far as Warren County.

"I think it's basically a good thing. You like to see people get out and enjoy the woods, and trails make it easy for them to do that," said Bob Bruneau of Tabernacle in Burlington County.

"New trails allow the hiker to get into places which may have been inaccessible before," said Bruneau, a member of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey. "New trails also provide variety by giving the hiker more choices, which results in more interesting hikes."

"It gives the public an opportunity to see what we are preserving and to use these resources," said Kevin Richardson, Hunterdon County's open space coordinator.

The new path is part of the Highlands Trail, an ongoing goal of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, a federation of 85 hiking clubs and environmental organizations dedicated to building and maintaining marked hiking trails and protecting open space.

The Highlands region stretches from western Connecticut across New York and New Jersey to eastern Pennsylvania. It includes 90 towns in Bergen, Morris, Hunterdon, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties. It also is an environmentally sensitive area, providing drinking water for millions in New York and New Jersey.

About 110 miles of the Highlands Trail have been completed, using existing and new trails through public parkland and private property, and some road paths, beginning at Storm King Mountain in New York, said Bob Moss of the New York-New Jersey Trails Conference.

The trail runs from Storm King to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson Township in Morris County. It continues through Morris County, where there are gaps, said Moss, a Bloomfield resident and New Jersey supervisor of the Highlands Trail Committee.

A 17-mile stretch goes from Washington Township to High Bridge in Hunterdon County, incorporating the Columbia Trail. The Highlands Trail goes around Spruce Run Reservoir, where it meets up with the new section on Van Syckles Road.

"As they are putting all these pieces of the puzzle together, the jigsaw is finally falling into place. One by one, they are getting connected. It's good to hear they are completing the southern end," said Charles Kientzler of Wayne. He is treasurer of the Interstate Hiking Club, which maintains a section of the Highlands Trail in Sterling Forest in New York.