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May 28 - June 4

Walks of Life

The way to Tillman Ravine in Stokes State Forest begins on a narrow path through a dense stand of towering bare-trunked red and white pines. (Mary Jasch)
Make your spring complete by following any number of paths and trails in Northwest New Jersey. Stretch your legs, breath fresh air and stay strong! You got the action, you got the motion! Here's your essential guide to the adventures ahead. And keep our calendar close! It's filled with events that will help navigate this most gratifying of seasons.

Serious Steps

For a less formal visit to hallowed historical turf, journey down to the northwest corner of Bernardsville, to a road named Hardscrabble, and the field where the New Jersey Brigade arrived in December, 1779 to begin the Jockey Hollow Encampment. Trails crisscross wooded knolls, open meadows, and streams through, not only Morristown National Historical Park, but the neighboring Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, the historic Cross Estate, and mysterious hillsides full of legends. More...

Walking the Line

Cinder path on the Sussex Branch.
At one time, nearly every town in New Jersey was served by railroads, despite the great effort they took to construct. Countless people's lives focused on the railroad, relying on it for industry, food, employment, and transportation. Nearly all the railroads have, of course, been abandoned; tracks removed, buildings demolished. The remaining "scars" in the earth are level paths of black cinder dirt or ballast stone connecting towns and villages, factories and mines. Because railroad grades traverse such varied terrain, a walk along them can be just as rewarding as hiking on conventional trails.

Lush Life

Construction of the Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal began in 1830 to provide a swift and safe route from Philadelphia to New York City. The ensuing endeavor cut a large meandering letter "Y" through central New Jersey and the southern reaches of the Skylands region. Today the canal's route provides a sixty-seven mile corridor of recreation and wildlife that invites your pleasure by foot, pedal or paddle. The tow path, along which mules drew loaded barges along the waterway, still exists for the most part uninterrupted, providing a natural surface of negligible incline easy on walkers and bikers.

Passages

What was left of Riegelsville Bridge after flood of 1903 was replaced by Roebling's Steel suspension bridge which still stands.
Although the New Jersey historical writer, Frank Dale, was nationally recognized for his book Delaware Diary and other work, he was always generous in assisting our efforts to characterize the personality of Northwest New Jersey. He provided sketches from a book he was preparing, called Bridges Over the Delaware, that described the many river crossings in Hunterdon County. The story still makes a wonderful travel guide to that section of the Delaware Valley. Here it is...

Up and Coming

Thanks for joining us in our appreciation of Northwest New Jersey and all the brilliant ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. Tap our calendar for the best events for you and your family, or check our current stories. Pick from a multitude of daytrip itineraries and watch out for our virtual efforts to keep you informed. For the more aerobically inclined, the Outdoor Map shows the way to go, or choose among dozens of natural attractions or outdoor activities suggested on our website.
Like many other small, independent and specialized information sources, our budget will increasingly rely on reader donations. Help us keep you informed about all the great stuff to do in and around Northwest New Jersey! If you like what we offer, we hope you'll consider a contribution.

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