New Jersey Highlands
Hike. Explore. Protect
The New Jersey Highlands are a vast landscape of protected forests, mountain lakes, scenic ridgelines, and hundreds of miles of trails. Discover parks, hikes, maps, and outdoor adventures across this remarkable natural region.
Explore Parks →
Plan Your Highlands Getaway
Looking for places to stay, dine, explore, and experience the Highlands? Plan the rest of your trip with the New Jersey Highlands.
Lodging • Dining • Attractions • Events • Communities
Where Are the New Jersey Highlands?
Set in the Garden State’s northwestern corner, the New Jersey Highlands cover roughly 1,300 square miles and 88 municipalities across seven counties. The region stretches 60 miles, from the Delaware River at the New Jersey–Pennsylvania border in the southwest to the New York border in the northeast.
The Highlands are home to abundant wildlife, striking geological formations, deep forested valleys, and more than 100 parks, preserves, and natural areas, with over 1,000 miles of trails to explore.
Flowing through this scenic landscape is a deep network of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that sustain the environment and supply drinking water to roughly 70% of New Jersey residents.
Hiking the Highlands at a Glance
Explore parks, trails, trailheads, and recommended hikes across the New Jersey Highlands.
Explore the Highlands Through Hiking
Parks
Discover public lands and natural areas.
Explore Highlands Parks
From mountain lakes and rocky ridgelines to forests, wetlands, and historic landscapes, the New Jersey Highlands offers an exceptional variety of protected public lands. Explore these parks and preserves for hiking opportunities throughout the region.
Primary Parks
- Abram S. Hewitt State Forest
- Appalachian Trail Corridor
- Long Pond Ironworks State Park
- Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
- Norvin Green State Forest
- Pequannock Watershed
- Ringwood State Park
- Wawayanda State Park
More Places to Explore
- Apshawa Preserve
- Highlands Preserve
- Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve
- North Jersey District Water Supply Commission lands
- Prospect Point Preserve
- Rockaway River Wildlife Management Area
- Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
Trails & Maps
Plan your hike with trail maps and resources.
Plan Your Highlands Adventure
Find the maps, trail information, long-distance routes, and planning resources you need to explore the Highlands safely and confidently.
Highlands Trail
Follow the Highlands Trail across northern New Jersey as it connects forests, parks, ridgelines, watersheds, and communities across the region.
Appalachian Trail
Explore iconic sections of the Appalachian Trail in the Highlands, including Vernon’s Pochuck Boardwalk and Stairway to Heaven.
Newark/Pequannock Watershed
Explore the watershed’s extensive trail network and natural landscapes. A permit is required for hiking within the Pequannock Watershed.
Trail Conference Maps & Guides
Find detailed Trail Conference maps and guidebooks covering parks and trails throughout northern New Jersey.
Trail Conditions & Alerts
Check current trail conditions, closures, reroutes, and other important information before heading out.
Featured Hikes
Curated hikes for every skill level.
Featured Highlands Hikes
Whether you’re looking for an easy walk or a challenging ridge hike, start with these Trail Conference-selected options across the Highlands.
Pochuck Boardwalk Short Out and Back
Vernon • 1.5 miles • Easy
Timberdoodle Rail Trail Out and Back
Vernon • 3 miles • Easy
Manaticut Point Short Loop
West Milford / Ringwood • 3 miles • Moderate
Pine Swamp Loop
Jefferson • 4.5 miles • Moderate
Five Ponds Loop
Ringwood • 5 miles • Moderate
Wawayanda Lake Loop
Vernon / West Milford • 5.5 miles • Moderate
Appalachian Trail Stairway to Heaven Out and Back
Vernon • 3 miles • Strenuous
Bearfort Ridge Loop
West Milford • 6 miles • Strenuous
Hike Your Way
Scenic views, lakeside hikes, fire towers, and more.
Find Your Highlands Hike
Looking for a particular kind of adventure? Explore Highlands hiking opportunities by experience, destination, or difficulty.
Easygoing Hikes
Shorter and easier options including Pochuck Boardwalk, West Brook Preserve, Highlands Preserve, Hanks Pond, and Timberdoodle Rail Trail.
Big Views & Ridgelines
Explore hikes featuring Highlands overlooks, rocky ridges, and expansive views.
Lakes & Ponds
Discover routes around Wawayanda Lake, Saffin Pond, Hanks Pond, Terrace Pond, and other Highlands waters.
Fire Tower Hikes
Climb toward the Bearfort Fire Tower and other Highlands high points.
Appalachian Trail
Explore the Pochuck Boardwalk, Stairway to Heaven, and other A.T. experiences through the Highlands.
Highlands Trail
Discover hikes along the long-distance trail that gives the region its name.
Challenge Yourself
Find strenuous options including Bearfort Ridge, Terrace Pond, Windbeam Mountain, Stairway to Heaven, and the 11-mile Ringwood-Ramapo/Hoeferlin/Pierson Ridge loop.
Explore the Highlands Trail
Discover the Highlands Trail, the Trail Conference’s long-distance trail connecting forests, ridgelines, parks, and communities across northern New Jersey.
Towns & Communities
Explore four Highlands communities shaped by protected landscapes, parks, trails, lakes, and abundant opportunities to get outdoors.
Jefferson Township
Wooded trails, scenic reservoirs, and protected lands make Jefferson a natural gateway to the Highlands.
Explore Jefferson Township
Jefferson Township offers a mix of wooded trails, scenic reservoirs, and protected Highlands landscapes. From the extensive trail network at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation to quieter preserves and watershed lands, Jefferson offers plenty of ways to explore the Highlands on foot.
Places to Explore
- Mahlon Dickerson Reservation
- Pequannock Watershed*
- Prospect Point Preserve
- Rockaway River Wildlife Management Area
* Permit Required
Try These Hikes
Pine Swamp Loop
Jefferson • 4.5 miles • Moderate
Highlands/Blue/Yellow Loop from Saffin Pond
Jefferson • 6 miles • Moderate
Prospect Point / Liffy Island
Jefferson • 2 miles • Moderate
Beaver Brook to Lost Lake
Jefferson • 6 miles • Moderate
Learn More →
Ringwood
Mountain lakes, expansive parks, and miles of trails connect visitors with the heart of the Highlands.
Explore Ringwood
Ringwood sits at the heart of the Highlands, surrounded by mountain lakes, forests, historic landscapes, and an extensive network of trails. From Ringwood State Park to the rugged terrain of Norvin Green State Forest, there are options ranging from moderate woodland hikes to challenging ridge adventures.
Places to Explore
- Ringwood State Park
- Norvin Green State Forest
- Long Pond Ironworks State Park
- Highlands Preserve
Try These Hikes
Five Ponds Loop
Ringwood • 5 miles • Moderate
Manaticut Point Short Loop
Ringwood / West Milford • 3 miles • Moderate
Ringwood-Ramapo / Hoeferlin / Pierson Ridge Loop
Ringwood • 11 miles • Strenuous
Windbeam Mountain Loop
Ringwood • 4.5 miles • Strenuous
Learn More →
West Milford
Expansive forests, pristine lakes, and miles of rugged trails offer endless opportunities to explore.
Explore West Milford
West Milford offers some of the Highlands’ most expansive forests, pristine lakes, rocky ridgelines, and rugged trail networks. From the trails of Wawayanda State Park to the dramatic terrain of Norvin Green and the Pequannock Watershed, there are opportunities for everything from lakeside hikes to challenging climbs.
Places to Explore
- Wawayanda State Park
- Norvin Green State Forest
- Pequannock Watershed*
- Long Pond Ironworks State Park
*Permit required
Try These Hikes
Wawayanda Lake Loop
West Milford / Vernon • 5.5 miles • Moderate
Manaticut Point Short Loop
Ringwood / West Milford • 3 miles • Moderate
Terrace Pond Loop
West Milford • 4.5 miles • Strenuous
Bearfort Ridge Loop
West Milford • 6 miles • Strenuous
Learn More →
Vernon Township
Highlands ridges, scenic trails, and iconic Appalachian Trail destinations make Vernon a four-season outdoor destination.
Explore Vernon Township
Vernon Township combines Highlands ridgelines, mountain lakes, wetlands, and some of northern New Jersey’s most recognizable trail experiences. From the Appalachian Trail and Pochuck Boardwalk to Wawayanda State Park, Vernon offers everything from easy walks to challenging climbs with expansive views.
Places to Explore
- Wawayanda State Park
- Appalachian Trail Corridor
- Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
- Pochuck Boardwalk
Try These Hikes
Pochuck Boardwalk Short Out and Back
Vernon • 1.5 miles • Easy
Timberdoodle Rail Trail Out and Back
Vernon • 3 miles • Easy
Appalachian Trail Stairway to Heaven Out and Back
Vernon • 3 miles • Strenuous
Wawayanda Lake Loop
Vernon / West Milford • 5.5 miles • Moderate
Learn More →
Discover More of the Highlands
Plan your trip and explore more of what the Highlands region offers.
Plan Ahead. Hike Safe
Check trail conditions, seasonal updates, and safety information before you head out.
Maps & Guidebooks
Explore the Highlands with Trail Conference maps, guides, and trusted trail resources.
Get Involved
Help protect the trails and natural places you love through volunteering, membership, and stewardship.
PARTNER RECOGNITION
Support for This Project Was Generously Provided By
This New Jersey Highlands project was made possible through the generous support of the New Jersey Highlands Council, with additional support from our partners.
Protecting the land you love and building a statewide trail community.