Falling Waters & Grand Loop Trails Hike | Schooley’s Mountain Park

Hike: Falling Waters and Grand Loop Trails

Falling Waters and Grand Loop Trails – Schooleys Mountain County Park – Photo: Daniel Chazin

Region: Morris County Highlands

Park: Schooley’s Mountain County Park

State: New Jersey

County: Morris

Accessibility: Family-Friendly, Leashed Dogs Allowed

Commitment: Short-Loop

Distances: 2–4 miles

Type of Route: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

This 3.5-mile loop in Schooley’s Mountain County Park explores the park’s wilder, less-developed western side, far from the picnic areas and lodge. Starting from the main lot, the route descends past Lake George and into the rocky gorge of Electric Brook via the scenic blue-blazed Falling Waters Trail, passing waterfalls and remnants of a historic hydroelectric station.

After climbing out of the gorge, the route joins the white-blazed Patriots’ Path, co-aligned briefly with the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail, then transitions onto a pink-blazed gravel road and eventually the yellow-blazed Grand Loop Trail. A steady ascent leads to the red-blazed Highland Cut, which crosses the park’s forested high point (1,104 ft). A gentle descent and return along the Grand Loop Trail completes the loop back to the trailhead.

This loop mixes historic features, streamside cascades, and peaceful upland woods—all in a compact, easily accessible setting.

How to Get There

Trails Related to this Hike

Highlands Trail, Patriots’ Path

Don’t Leave Unprepared

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Visit Avenza

Detailed Hike Description

Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 06/15/2004, updated/verified on 09/06/2020

Although Schooley's Mountain County Park features a large picnic area, a lodge, and other developed recreational facilities, most of the park remains in its natural state. This hike passes through wild and undeveloped portions of the park that are far removed from the more heavily used areas.

Falling Waters Trail along Electric Brook. Photo by Daniel Chazin.

From the kiosk at the end of the parking area, cross a grassy strip and turn left onto a paved service road. Just before reaching a restroom building on the left and a trail junction (marked by signs for the Patriots' Path and the Grand Loop Trail), turn right onto a gravel road and descend towards Lake George, bearing right at a fork. Upon reaching the lake, turn left and continue along the lakeshore.

Just beyond the dam at the end of the lake, a triple-blue blaze on a tree marks the start of the Falling Waters Trail. Continue along this trail, which descends into the scenic gorge of Electric Brook, named for a long-abandoned electric generating plant which was powered by the brook (the concrete foundations of the plant are still visible just beyond a small waterfall). This section of the hike is particularly beautiful, but the trail is quite rocky in places.

Waterfall along Electric Brook. Photo by Daniel Chazin.

After a short but steep descent over rocks, you'll pass two attractive waterfalls. This is a good place to take a short break to appreciate the wild and spectacular scenery. A short distance beyond, the trail bears left and climbs out of the gorge, following a woods road.

At the top of the climb, the blue-blazed trail ends at a junction with the white-blazed Patriots’ Path and the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail. Turn right and follow the Patriots’ Path/Highlands Trail for only about 50 feet. Where the trail makes a sharp left turn, continue ahead to a south-facing overlook from a rock outcrop. The view is over agricultural lands, with some development in the foreground and hills in the background.

After taking in the view, retrace your steps and bear left onto the Patriots’ Path/Highlands Trail. Continue a short distance beyond the junction with the blue-blazed trail that you just climbed, but when the Patriots’ Path/Highlands Trail turns left at a kiosk, continue ahead on a wide gravel road with pink blazes. Follow this road through attractive woodlands to its end at a junction with the Grand Loop Trail (marked by a sign). (Here, an unmarked path to the right leads a short distance to an interesting rock outcrop.).

View from Patriots Path. Phot by Daniel Chazin.

Following the arrow that points towards the Bee-Line Trail, turn right onto the yellow-blazed Grand Loop Trail, which descends steadily. When you reach the Bee-Line Trail (this junction is also marked by signs), turn left, continuing to follow the Grand Loop Trail. You now begin to climb steadily, rather steeply in places.

At the top of the climb, marked by a sign and a cairn, turn left onto the red-blazed Highland Cut. This trail is a rocky footpath that "cuts across" the ridge of Schooley's Mountain, passing the highest point in the park (elevation 1,104 feet), marked by a rock ledge on the left, along the way. Unfortunately, there are no views from this high point, which is in the midst of deep woods.

After a brief, gentle descent, the Highland Cut ends at a junction with the yellow-blazed Grand Loop Trail, a wide woods road. Turn right onto the Grand Loop Trail, which descends gradually. Follow the Grand Loop Trail back to the restroom building and the parking area where the hike began.