Short Hikes in NJ

Trail maps, photos, videos, and info for some trails in New Jersey that are easy or short. These trails are either under 4 miles and/or easy – suitable for beginning hikers or anyone looking for an easy day hike.

These are suggested routes... it's usually very easy to trim them down into even shorter loops if you prefer.

For info on getting started hiking in NJ, check out our NJ Hiking 101 page.

Short Hikes in North NJ

• Appalachian Trail - Pochuck Valley- Easy, boardwalk section (2.0 miles)

• Bearfort Mountain - Surprise Lake (2.0 or 2.5 miles)

• Hacklebarney State Park - Chester, NJ (3.4 miles)

• High Point State Park - Sussex County, Monument Trail Loop (3.7 miles)

• Jenny Jump Trail - Hope, NJ - (3.4 miles)
• Mahlon Dickerson - Morris County, Pine Swamp Loop (3.8 miles)

• Mendham Area - Most hikes are 1-2 miles

• Merrill Creek Reservoir - Warren County (2 miles, some .5 miles)
• Point Mountain Reservation - Hunterdon County (3.7 miles)

• Ramapo Mountain State Forest - Ramapo Lake, (1.2 m); Van Slyke Castle (3.2 m)

• Ramapo Valley County Reservation - Hawk Rock viewpoint (2 miles)

Short Hikes in Central NJ

• Cheesequake State Park - Green Trail, Middlesex County (3 miles)

• Hartshorne Woods - Middletown (.7, 1.5 or 2.5 miles)

• Helyar Woods - at Rutgers Gardens, Middlesex County (2.5 miles)

• Jakes Branch County Park - Tindley Trail, Ocean County (3.8 or 1.6 miles)
• Manasquan Reservoir - Monmouth County (easy gravel trail)

• Musconetcong Gorge Preserve - Hunterdon County (3.1 miles)

• Thompson Park Conservation Area - Middlesex County (2.6 miles)

• Washington Valley Park - Blue Loop (2 miles); or Red

Short Hikes in South NJ

• Bass River State Forest - Tuckerton (3.0 miles plus several 1-1.5 mile roundtrip)
• Belleplain State Forest - Cape May/Cumberland (several less than 1 mile)
• Maurice River Bluffs - Cumberland County (2.6 miles)

• Parvin State Park - Salem County (3.3 miles)

• Rancocas State Park - Burlington County, very short (all trails combined = 2 miles)

• Woods of Wenonah - Gloucester County (several less than 1 mile)
• Wharton State Forest - Batsto Lake Trail - Hammonton (4.2 miles)

Suggested hiking books with popular short hikes in NJ: