The Columbia Trailis a 15 mile long rail trail that runs from High Bridge in Hunterdon County to Bartley in Morris County.
The trail goes through scenic Ken Lockwood Gorge and along the Raritan River, running through woods, behind houses, and through some small towns along the way.
It’s also mostly in shade, so that is where we headed on another hot day.
>> For a detailed guide see our main Columbia Trail page <<
The multi-use trail (walk/bike/horse) is easy, mostly level (slightly uphill going from High Bridge) and covered in crushed gravel. We prefer it for biking, but it would be good for easy hiking as well.
30 miles. We started at High Bridge and did the entire trail to Bartley, then back. A nice shorter route would be High Bridge to Califon, and back, at about 10.2 miles round trip.
The trail does cross a few roads, some busier than others. There are also a few sections that go on the road through a town or in a neighborhood, but they are short.
The most scenic part of the trail is from High Bridge through Ken Lockwood.
The rest is nice too, but just not quite as scenic (but there were less people too – not that the trail was that crowded to start with).
There is a confusing section of the trail, where it’s missing in Long Valley, marked “proposed” on one of the maps.
We had to ride on Fairview Av for a bit, but we didn’t see any markings indicating that, other than a few Highlands Trail markings (Columbia is concurrent with Highlands here).
We rode to Gillette Park on the right, and took a short trail there to meet back up with the Columbia.
On the way back we kept going past Gillette until there was a sign indicating to turn right (it appeared to be a construction site ahead they didn’t want you going through).
We rode uphill on a stone driveway back to Fairview Ave. We’d passed this on the way, but it just looked like a driveway with a name plaque and all.
The only slight downside is that end of the trail in Bartley is pretty anti-climatic… a pullout for a few cars off the road, trail sign and gate, and a couple large rocks we had our snack on before heading back.
Betty the Bike – Detailed articles on the trail:
- Columbia Trail, New Jersey – the High Bridge to Califon ride
- Columbia Trail, NJ (Long Valley to Califon ride)
Bonus: On the way out of High Bridge heading back to the highway is Gronsky’s Milk House. We had the “chocolate peanut butter revel” ice cream – seriously tasty.
The Ken Lockwood gorge section has been quite badly torn up by Irene. Some short sections are for experienced mountain bikers only or you can always push your bike over them. Still a beautiful as ever though.
Long Valley now has a trail leading around the housing construction area and also around the steel company’s yard – June 3 2012.
Gary – thanks for the update!
-Dawn
Just rode this on 7/25/12. Picked it up at a trailhead just west of Long Valley (across from a tree farm). Rode it all the way to High Bridge then crossed over to the Ken Lockwood Gorge trail on the way back (picked up the Columbia again at Hoffmann’s Crossing Rd). This was a FANTASTIC ride, flat smooth, cuts through farms, towns, woods, along rivers. Parts of the Ken Lockwood trail were washed out and I had to walk my bike but only for maybe 50yds. This is on my list of place I will return again and again. Think I will try parking off of Vernoy Rd or go into Califon and park at the History Museum (old RR station)-both places had good parking. I do plan to ride the full trail from Bartley to High Bridge very soon. If you are thinking about trying this trail…DO IT!!
I just rode the section of this trail from the Tree Farm to the Ken Lockwood area…..at the beginning of this section the trail is terrible — it has been eaten up by horse riders. I understand that there is a farm aright across the street that uses it frequently — it is VERY bumpy. Maybe there is something that can be done to smooth out the ride ….just a thought ! It is a great ride…Go ride and enjoy it…