Cross the road at the northern end of the parking area. On the opposite side, enter the woods at a sign for the Orchard Trail, climb stone steps, and follow this orange-blazed trail uphill on a moss-covered woods road, passing abandoned fields now starting to regenerate.
In 0.6 mile, after paralleling a wide stone wall on the right, the Orchard Trail ends at a junction with the Hamilton Ridge Trail. Turn left and follow the Hamilton Ridge Trail - a paved road, now closed to vehicular traffic, lined with hemlocks and pines and largely covered with moss - for 0.7 mile. As the road begins to descend, look carefully for a sign on the right, which marks the start of the orange-blazed Pioneer Trail.
Turn right onto the Pioneer Trail and follow the orange blazes downhill on an old woods road. In 0.1 mile, the trail turns right and continues on a footpath. Just beyond, an old stone limekiln may be seen about 50 feet to the right.
Soon, the trail turns sharply left and levels off, paralleling an old stone wall to the right. After a while, it resumes its descent and begins to parallel a ravine on the left. Near the base of the descent, it bears right, levels off, then turns left and continues to descend.
A mile from its start, the Pioneer Trail turns left and heads south along a bluff that overlooks the Delaware River below. It follows the crest of the bluff for a quarter mile, then swings left and climbs gradually on an old woods road, largely overgrown with vegetation (from here on, the trail is unmarked). After crossing under power lines, the road levels off and reaches a branch road that descends to the right. Continue straight ahead on a well-used gravel road, passing several abandoned farmhouses.
In two-thirds of a mile, the Hamilton Ridge Trail comes in from the left. Continue straight ahead on the gravel road for another quarter mile until you reach the paved Old Mine Road. Turn left and follow the road for 400 feet, then turn right into the Van Campens Glen Recreation Site. At the northwest corner of the parking area, turn left onto the yellow-blazed Van Campens Glen Trail.
The trail winds through the magnificent Van Campens Glen under towering hemlocks and past rhododendron overhanging the brook. Along the way, you'll climb rock and wood steps and pass several beautiful cascades. Use caution, as this trail section is often wet, and the rocks, logs and tree roots can be slippery. In half a mile, after a flat section along the brook, you'll cross a footbridge over the brook, pass a scenic waterfall, and continue past more cascades.
The yellow-blazed trail ends at the abandoned Cutoff Road. Turn left and follow the paved road for about 300 feet. Just before a bridge over the brook, turn sharply right and continue on a level footpath that bears left and heads north, parallel to but some distance away from the brook. The trail soon returns to run alongside the brook, passing through tunnels of young hemlock. When you reach an abandoned paved road, turn left, cross a wide wooden bridge over the brook, and continue to Old Mine Road.
Turn right onto Old Mine Road. As of this writing (August 2021), the trails through the former Watergate Recreation Area have been closed for environmental rehabilitation. Hikers should follow the paved Old Mine Road north for about a mile to the parking area at Millbrook Village, where the hike began.
To view a photo collection for this hike, click here.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 08/27/2009 updated/verified on 11/26/2020
This loop hike passes an old limekiln and winds through the scenic Van Campens Glen.
Cross the road at the northern end of the parking area. On the opposite side, enter the woods at a sign for the Orchard Trail, climb stone steps, and follow this orange-blazed trail uphill on a moss-covered woods road, passing abandoned fields now starting to regenerate.
In 0.6 mile, after paralleling a wide stone wall on the right, the Orchard Trail ends at a junction with the...
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Take I-80 west to Exit 12 (Hope/Blairstown). At the bottom of the ramp, turn right and continue for 4.7 miles on County Route 521 north. When the road ends at a T-intersection with Route 94, turn left and continue for 0.2 mile to the next traffic light. Turn right at the light and proceed straight ahead (do not bear sharply right onto Route 521 north). At the top of the hill, turn sharply right, then make the first left onto Millbrook Road. Proceed for 7.0 miles to an intersection at Millbrook Village, turn right, and park in the parking area to the right.
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February 08, 2023
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