State Line and Ernest Walker to Surprise Lake, plus an out-and-back south on the Appalachian Trail.
What an enjoyable hike – fantastic views as Ernest Walter follows a ridge overlooking Greenwood Lake, then head to Surprise Lake, then some more views.
The trail is nice and interesting… rugged with a few decent scrambling sections.
It was gorgeous and the trees hadn’t even gotten green yet… we’re planning to come back again when its green or the fall.
A variation of this hike that follows the Appalachian Trail north is on our main Surprise Lake Loop via State Line Trail page. That’s a better hike, the page has detailed directions – so we recommend that instead.
Map:
Northern New Jersey Highlands Trails Map is best, you can get by with the basic park map but it doesn’t contain the NY section of the AT. Follow along on your smartphone with our Interactive Map.
Books:
Not aware of a book that includes the out-and-back section of the AT like this route. An excellent variation is in 50 Hikes in New Jersey and 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: New York City.
The shorter 4.1 loop can be found in Hike of the Week, Take a Hike New York City, Best Day Hikes Near New York City, and Hiking the Jersey Highlands.
Variation without State Line is in Hiking New Jersey (2023). Detailed trail descriptions found in the The New Jersey Walk Book.
Our route:
Ended up being 7.6 miles as we cut the AT section shorter than planned. State Line (BLUE) till it meets Ernest Walter (YEL) – AT – backtrack at Longhouse Road on AT to State Line (BLUE).
The AT was just “ok” and paled in comparison to the other trails… plus that section of the park gets close to neighborhoods and was noisier.
When we got to the road we’d decided this portion of the AT was less than thrilling and turned back. Next time we’ll cross into NY and try the AT north.
Parking: N41.18577° W74.33197°
The trail starts out along a stream and then heads steeply uphill and in just one mile you are overlooking Greenwood Lake.
Ernest Walker is reached at less than a mile, and is blazed yellow.
To this point and back could work for a beginner – short in distance with a great view as payoff. Or continue to Surprise Lake and back for about a 2.5 mile roundtrip.
It’s not a “walk in the park” because it’s steep, but it’s doable. The trail follows the ridge for a bit before ducking back into the woods.
Arrive at Surprise Lake.
Keep following Ernest Walter (YEL) and (not ORANGE (Quail), go through a rhododendron tunnel and a bit of a scramble through a rocky and wet area on Ernest Walker. Cross a stream.
Head up a steep rock face for some more views. Keep on Ernest Walter (YEL) and (pass by WHITE Bearfort Ridge).
Steep scramble down, the follow a rocky ridge.
Arrive at the AT (WHITE) and turn left (or skip that for a shorter loop and turn right). Take the AT to Longhouse Dr and turnaround (or go as much as you’d like).
On the return, pass where you came in on Ernest Walter, and stay on AT till State Line (BLUE on WHITE) and back to the lot.
Views on the AT, before joining up with State Line.
