The top 10 most popular hikes in New Jersey, ranked by visitor traffic to njHiking.com! This list is updated annually at the end of December using data from the past year.
#10 – Jenny Jump – Ghost Lake
Hike through Jenny Jump State Forest for many views of the surrounding mountains and valleys before arriving at Ghost Lake.
A solid hike packed with tons of viewpoints with a nice pond as the destination. Add an optional extension to explore a small “Fairy Cave”. Warren County, NJ.
#9 – Batsto Lake Trail – Wharton State Forest
Easy loop through New Jersey’s Pine Barrens and along Batsto Lake.
New Jersey’s beautiful pine forests are green year round so it’s a scenic hike in any season. Explore the buildings in the historical Village of Batsto afterwards. Burlington County, NJ.
#8 – Cheesequake State Park – Green Trail
Pleasant hike over rolling hills and through beautiful marshlands with the assistance of numerous boardwalks.
Easy and also a great intro to hiking, with a nice variety of trees, plenty of boardwalks, and Hooks Creek Lake. There are several routes to choose from in addition to this Green Trail hike. Middlesex County, NJ.
#7 – Sourland Mountain
Hike over boardwalks and through the boulders of Devil’s Half Acre and Roaring Rocks. A solid loop with plenty of interesting rock formations. Somerset County, NJ.
#6 – Hacklebarney State Park
Gorgeous park that has the Black River as it’s centerpiece and is stunning in the fall.
Trails here are good for shorter hikes, hiking with kids (lots to look at and never far from the car), or basically anyone who wants to experience a wonderful outdoor setting without a ton of effort. Morris County, NJ.
#5 – The Giant Stairs
Enjoy views from Jersey’s Palisades over the Hudson River of the New York skyline and tackle a unique rock scramble.
While popular, and rightfully so, this hike is challenging and is not everyone’s cup-of-tea (…but it is really cool!). Bergen County, NJ.
#4 – South Mountain – Hemlock Falls
Moderate hike that takes in a viewpoint from historic Washington Rock, Hemlock Falls, the Rahway River, and the Fairy Trail in just under 6 miles.
For easier hikes try the short-n-sweet Hemlock Falls Loop or if you have little hikers take them to discover the South Mountain Fairy Trail (also fun for big hikers!). Essex County, NJ.
#3 – Buttermilk Falls to Hemlock Pond
This route starts at NJ’s highest waterfall, Buttermilk Falls. The waterfall is just mere steps from the parking lot before starting the hike. Then head steeply uphill to meet up with the Appalachian Trail before continuing on to Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond.
To just visit the waterfall, see our Buttermilk Falls page. Sussex County, NJ.
#2 – Stairway to Heaven
Hike boardwalks, a suspension bridge, hardwood forest, fields of wildflowers, train tracks, a cow pasture, a boulder field – all along the famous Appalachian Trail.
Then steeply climb the “Stairway to Heaven” to one of the best viewpoints in New Jersey, Pinwheel Vista.
For shorter sections of this hike, try the kid-friendly Pochuck Boardwalk or just do the short-n-steep Stairway to Heaven to Pinwheel Vista part. Sussex County, NJ.
#1 – Mt. Tammany
This is a Jersey classic for good reason. Hike steeply uphill to a fantastic overlook of the “Gap” – the break in the Kittatinny Mountains that was carved by the Delaware River.
At the top enjoy amazing views of the surrounding area and of Mt. Minsi across the river and return along Dunnfield Creek nestled in a scenic gorge.
For a longer, challenging version check out Mt. Tammany and Sunfish Pond or try our “Mind The Gap” hike to conquer Mt. Tammany and Mt. Minsi in one day. Warren County, NJ.