Ten Great Hikes In North Jersey

Looking for something to do this summer that is close to home and inexpensive? Take the family for a hike. To help you in your quest to enjoy the outdoors, Patch has put together a list of things you’ll need first and where you can go as well.

What You Need

The main thing you’ll need to go hiking is a sturdy pair of boots. Without solid footwear, you run the risk of a foot or ankle injury from a slip or trip that could land you in the emergency room. Also, with snakes, spiders and ticks roaming on the trails, a good pair of boots can allow you to tuck your pants in (even though it is summer, pants should still be worn in the woods).

Hiking boots come in two options: a high top for better ankle support or low top for comfort. Military boots are also good for hiking, but they are heavy and need to be broken in prior to heading out.

Then there are the Ten Essentials that The Mountaineers recommend: a map, a compass (optionally with a GPS receiver), sunglasses, sunscreen, some food and water, clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, fire starter, matches and knife. Insect repellent, a repair kit (with duct tape and basic sewing materials), tweezers and a cell phone can also come in handy. All of your gear should fit in a backpack and be easily reached in case of an emergency.

Hazards of Hiking

There are a few hazards that come with hiking — mainly wandering off the trail and becoming lost, injuring your foot or ankle, being bitten by an animal or dehydration. Above all, stay together while hiking — you should never hike by yourself.

If you do become lost, first of all do not panic. Remain calm and begin by looking at your compass and map to determine where you may be – if nothing else, determine which direction is north. Secondly, check to see if you have cell phone service to call for help. If there is a clearing near where you are standing, move into the clearing so that emergency help can locate you easily.

Animal attacks in the wild are rare, but they do occur. Regularly making noise while you hike will alert any animals in the area that you are nearby. Snakes and spiders are harder to spot (and so are ), but if you feel like you have been bitten, have your hiking buddy check for bite marks.

Tick checks should be be done once your have returned to your vehicle. Ticks need to be removed carefully with a pair of tweezers. Make sure to contact your doctor if you have been bitten by a tick.

Where to Go

1. High Mountain Loop in Wayne. Moderate with few rough spots.
2. High Mountain Preserve in Franklin Lakes. Moderate with few rough spots.
3. Campgaw Mountain Reservation in Mahwah. Easy to moderate.
4. Wanaque Ridge Trail in Ramapo Mountain State Forest. Considered a moderate hike, there are extensive trails and junctions.
5. Skylands Manor: Ilgenstein Rock, Erskine Lookout in Ringwood State Park. Another moderate hike with rugged areas.
6. Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Bergen County. Also a moderate hike with some hills, rocky sections and stream crossings.
7. Alpine Boat Basin and the Hudson River near Cresskill. Easy to moderate trail, can be slippery due to closeness to the river.
8. Hackensack Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. Easy due to the flat terrain.
9. Palisades Interstate Park and the Long Path in Englewood. Easy route along the George Washington Bridge.
10. Urban and Suburban: Hudson River and Jersey Palisades in Fort Lee. Easy hike from George Washington Bridge down to Weehawken Ferry.

Advanced hikers can head to Bear Mountain, N.Y. and take on Harriman State Park.