Know the New Hiking How-tos
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Mount Holly Sanctuary
Park Acreage:
208 acres
Trail Miles:
3.4 miles
Trail Uses:
Hiking, Bridle path
Fees:
None
GPS:
41.280181, -73.640507
Not TC maintained
Directions
Western edge: Park at Hunt-Parker Sanctuary and walk on road 275 yards north to entrance - Take I-684 to Exit 6 (Route 35). Turn east onto Route 35. In 1.0 mil, turn left onto unpaved Mt. Holly Road. At the T junction, turn left onto North Salem Road. The entrance is to the left, 0.1 mile from the turn, with parking for 3 cars.
Eastern edge: From I-864, take Exit 6 (Route 35) and head east for 1.8 miles. Turn left onto North Salem Road and follow it to Mount Holly Road. Turn right at the Y junction and continue 1.2 miles to where Mount Holly Road makes a sharp left. The entrance and parking for three cars is just beyond the intersection with Holly Hill Lane.
Northern edge: No parking on Todd Road.
Park Overview
Having Mt. Holly Sanctuary to oneself in midweek day in season makes it a delight to visit.
Trail Overview
Horses and hikers use the trails of Mount Holly Sanctuary which has a varied topography. The two main trails begin at the parking area on Mount Holly Road. The Pond Trail and the steep portion of the North Main Trail are closed to horses. The entrance to the white trail into Hunt-Parker Memorial Sanctuary is 275 yards south on North Salem Street. A full day of hiking is possible by visiting these two sanctuaries.
Park Description
At Mount Holly Sanctuary, a visitor can be immersed in a symphony of nature, unpunctuated by human noise. Ponds resonate with a chorus of frogs and birds trill against the rolling rustle of leaves.
Until the twentieth century, except for the steep sections, the land that is now the Mount Holly Sanctuary was farmed. In 1975, the threat of development led concerned citizens to join together to purchase the land from the estate of Edward A. Norman. The numerous stone walls add to the beauty of the place. Mount Holly Sanctuary is not to be confused with the smaller Mount Holly Preserve, located across and south on Mount Holly Road.