New Jersey, also known as the Garden State, is best known for its popular vacation destination, the Jersey Shore. For Chatham, NJ resident Rob Haines, the state is so much more. An avid outdoorsman, he spends the summer months hiking the local trails. Here he discusses the most popular places in New Jersey to hike.

1. Stairway to Heaven – this hike has one of the best viewpoints in New Jersey. After hiking across boardwalks, a suspension bridge, fields of wildflowers, a boulder field, and cow pastures, hikers start the steep climb of the “Stairway to Heaven” to reach the Pinwheel Vista.

2. Mount Tammany – the Delaware River carved out the break in the Kittatinny Mountains that is known as the “Gap”. This hiking trail heads steeply uphill to a fantastic overlook with great views of the surrounding area.

3. Buttermilk Falls to Hemlock Pond – This hike starts at Buttermilk Falls, New Jersey’s highest waterfall. Take the trail upwards and meet up with the Appalachian Trail.

4. Sunfish Pond – hike through some of New Jersey’s prettiest forests to get to Sunfish Pond, a lake located 1,000 feet above the surrounding area.

5. Hacklebarney State Park – a great place for outdoor photography. Located in Chester, New Jersey the center for this hike is the Black River.

6. Monument Trail at High Point State Park – at 1803 feet, this is the highest elevation in the state of New Jersey. You can climb the 220 stairs of the monument to view the surrounding areas.

7. Pyramid Mountain – this hike has it all, moderate elevation gains, streams, rocky footpaths and glacial erratics make this a great hike. With two overlooks, on a clear day, you can see New York City.

8. Cooper Mill in the Black River Country Park – this hike starts at the old Cooper Mill and follows along the Black River through a pine forest. Take a side trip to see the ruins of Kay’s Cottage.

New Jersey is so much more than the Jersey Shore. Rob Haines a resident of Chatham, NJ spends much of his time during the summer months hiking the beautiful trails of New Jersey.

About: Rob Haines is a resident of Chatham, NJ who likes to spend time in the great outdoors. When the weather gets warm he can be found hiking the local trails and camping in the backcountry with his four children and friends.

To learn more, Visit : https://robhaineschathamnj.blogspot.com/