Hiking Trails

Autumn Hill Reservation
Herrontown Road Princeton NJ 08540
The park contains 78 wooded acres, with about 1.8 miles of well maintained trails. The most striking characteristic is the complete solitude it offers, with only occasional traffic or airplane noise. Several old stone walls, one of which runs along the border with Somerset County, mark pre-existing farms in the area. Three pairs of benches built by Boy Scout Troop 43, some old logs and two picnic tables, one of which is at the parking lot, offer opportunity for rest.

Carson Road Woods
Carson Road Lawrenceville NJ
Carson Road Woods offers a network of walking routes. Most follow the margins of open fields along the edge of the woods or along hedgerows. One trail wanders through a forest of tall beech trees, and one section of trail hugs the course of a small brook that is a tributary of the Stony Brook.

Cedar Ridge Preserve
This property is a combination of meadow, forest and streams covering approximately 30 acres at the edge of the Sourland Mountains. The Cedar Ridge Trail is a preservation project of D&R Greenway Land Trust. The land includes a stream corridor to the Stony Brook, wetlands, woodlands and habitat for wildlife.

Curliss Lake Woods
The land of this nature preserve formerly belonged to Howe Nursery. It was used by Mr. Howe to hold his plantings (many from the Southern Appalachians) until they were to be used. Many species along these trails are not usually found in this area. The Green, Howe’s Lane and Redwood trails all tunnel through thickets of wild rose, shrubs and young trees. The trail is broad and easy to follow. Periodically, as at the redwood trees, there is a clearing and sturdy bench.

D & R Canal State Park (Bull's Island to Trenton)
The trail is made of fine textured crushed stone and is for hiking, jogging and biking. No horses, motorized vehicles, or ATVs are permitted. The trail can be entered at 21 points in this segment of the park, 10 of which have Park-designated parking space. Walks or bicycle rides can begin and end at these various points (remember to double the distances!), or be made one-way by leaving a car or arranging pick-up at the completion point.

Greater Mountain Lakes Open Space Area
Community Park North/206N Princeton NJ 08540
The Greater Mountain Lakes Open Space Area, a “central park” in Princeton, consists of some 400 acres just north of the center of town, with a wide variety of hiking and biking trails, some connecting to other trails outside of the area described here. Along with views of Tusculum, the estate built by John Witherspoon, and historic Coventry Farm, it features open fields, several small streams and lakes, old stone walls, boulder fields, and old growth pine and hardwood forests. The area may be divided into three sections: Mountain Lakes Preserve/Mountain Lakes North; John Witherspoon Woods and parts of Tusculum; and Community Park North. Most of the remainder of Tusculum, to the east, and Coventry Farm, to the west, is private open space.

Hamilton-Trenton Marsh/Spring Lake
This broad trail runs around three sides of Spring Lake on top of an earthen dike and on the fourth side along the bottom of a bluff. A continuation of the trail under the bluff runs southeast from this lake-side loop and connects to the Watson Woods trail, with easy access past the historic 18th-century Watson house. The Spring Lake trail, at the southwest corner of the lake, also connects to the Island trails

Hamilton-Trenton Marsh/Watson Woods
This trail system, part of John Roebling Memorial Park and the Mercer County Park System, offers an easy walk along the Watson Wood Trail and Abbott Bluffs trail, past the oldest house in Mercer County, to a viewpoint over the marsh by the Abbott house site. The Abbott Brook trail is a loop through the wooded swamp and wet woods bordering the tidal marsh.

Herrontown Woods
Snowden Lane Princeton NJ 08540
Herrontown Woods, lying across the eastern end of the Princeton Ridge, offers more than three miles of trails through pleasant woods. An open right-of-way for the underground Transco Gas Pipeline bisects the property southwest to northeast, crossing several of the trails, and offering longer views. Intermittent streams come down from the ridge to join a creek near the parking lot. The 142-acre property is owned by Mercer County and managed by the County Park Commission.

Hopewell Borough Park
Hopewell Borough Park is owned and managed by Hopewell Borough. In some literature this park is also called Gazebo Park. The park contains several walking trails that wind along the Beden Brook and into old farm pasture. There is a small playground at the north end of the park by Columbia Avenue, as well as a gazebo that hosts music during the summer months. A combination of walks can be put together from 10 – 60 minutes in length.

Institute Woods
Princeton Battlefield Park/Mercer Road Princeton NJ 08540
A coalition of nonprofit organizations, with support from the New Jersey Green Acres program and Princeton Township, in 2000 preserved as open space a 550-acre property owned by the Institute for Advanced Study. With the cooperation and ongoing financial contribution of the Institute, the coalition protected the Institute Woods and adjacent farmlands. These lands remain under Institute ownership and are not a public park, but the Institute graciously allows members of the public to use the Institute Woods. Flat trails, ideal for leisurely walks, jogging, and cross-country skiing (no wheeled vehicles), lace through the majestic woods, skirting farmlands that offer vistas unchanged since the American Revolution, and running along the Stony Brook past the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife refuge. Walkers can go from the Institute Woods to the D&R Canal towpath by crossing an arm of the Stony Brook on stepping stones.

John A. Roebling Park, Island Trails
This island was very likely used by the Lenape Indians as a hunting and fishing area. Later it was used as a residence and base for trapping muskrats. The northern part of the island near the beaver dam was used as a construction dump and as a car and truck repair site. Piles of rocks and other industrial artifacts are a reminder of this part of the history of the island.

Kate's Trail
Kate’s Trail is on a 60 acre conservation easement held by D&R Greenway Land Trust. The area of the easement with the trail and public access covers 20 acres. The remaining 40 acre easement does not allow public access but will remain as permanent open space. If you stay on the path you will not trespass on the eased area that is not open to the public. The distance from the road to the Stony Brook is about 1/4 mile. This is a wonderful walk in the woods, just 10 minutes from downtown Princeton. It is not uncommon, in season, to spot a Great Blue Heron, Wood Ducks, an Eastern Box turtle, Scarlet Tanagers and Baltimore Orioles. A Northern Harrier was seen across the river one fine day. Close to 1/4 mile of the trail follows close to the Stony Brook. Take a look at the American bladdernut trees as you take the stone steps down the ridge toward the river.

Laura Chauncey Trail/ETS
The circular trail winds along the Stony Brook through young and mature woods to the gas pipeline right of way where the trail turns into a mowed path through a meadow. Along the way, there are many bridges over intermittent streams, beautiful views and access to the stream and one area of nice outcropping of red shale and argillite.

Mercer County NW (Pole Farm)
Keefe & Cold Soil Road Lawrenceville NJ
On this 813-acre property you will find broad, easy trails, with vistas of farm fields, fallow fields and meadows, and woods, and wonderful tranquility.

Northern Stony Brook Greenway (McBurney Woods)
The 375-acre Northern Stony Brook Greenway Preserve is owned by D&R Greenway Land Trust and it is an important link in a chain of forested parcels that stretches for 60 miles along the ridge of Sourland Mountain. PICNIC ROCK LOOP: Long sections of this trail wind through high-quality forest with mature trees and a decent understory. This is an excellent birding spot during migrations. It has gorgeous fall color. The trail parallels several sections of old stone walls and has a particularly pretty section along the Stony Brook tributary. DOUBLE CROSSING LOOP: This trail gets its name because it crosses the Stony Brook two times along its route. The double stream crossing is a fun part of the loop, and you’ll find yourself saying, “It doesn’t get any prettier than this” as you hike along the Stony Brook.

Princeton Day School/Pond View
Princeton Day School/Stuart Road Princeton NJ 08540
This trail is primarily intended to be a connector with the Mountain Lakes area and Woodfield Reservation. It connects with the Stuart trail running from the Great Road to Mountain Lakes North. Please put note in your windshield that says you are on hiking trails.

Rosedale Park Hiking Trails
Federal City Road Hopewell NJ 08525
Rosedale Park encompasses 472 acres that includes a 38 acre lake stocked with trout. The land on which the park stands was originally three farms. The dam for the lake was built by the Soil Conservation Service starting in 1969. The lake was filled in 1971 and stocked for fishing. The trails wander through the woods and old farm fields to the Hunt House (one of the original three farms). This is an excellent area for flying kites, bird watching, fishing and general recreation.

Shipetauken Woods/Terhune Orchards
These red and yellow trails wind through a cut field and swampy woods, crossing many small channels and one stream on the way. The woods are a good example of a young, moderately wet, oak hickory forest. Boots are strongly recommended.

Sourlands Preserve - Somerset
East Mountain Road Skillman NJ 08558
Sourland Mountain Preserve in Somerset County is 3,025 acres of woodlands, boulder fields, unique wetlands, and steep hillsides.Passive recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, orienteering, bird watching, and bouldering. The trails described here are located on the northern most border of Montgomery Township in Hillsborough Township. Sourland Mountain Preserve is part of the Sourland Mountains, a 90 square mile area extending over five townships (Montgomery, Hillsborough, Hopewell, West Amwell and East Amwell) and three counties (Mercer, Somerset and Hunterdon) in central New Jersey. The Sourlands consist of the main Sourland Ridge with an elevation ranging from 300 – 600 feet and several geologically similar adjoining areas, including Baldpate Mountain, Mount Rose and Pheasant Hill.

Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed/Main Reserve
31 Titus Mill Road Pennington NJ 08534
609-737-3735

Hours: Dawn to dusk

The 860-acre Watershed Reserve in Hopewell NJ offers outdoor experiences for the entire family. Visitors can enjoy the animals and exhibits of the Buttinger Nature Center, the butterflies and garden habitats of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House (in season), and more more than 10 miles of hiking trails. The Reserve is owned and managed by the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association - central New Jersey's first environmental group. The Watershed Association protects clean water and the environment throughout the 265-square-mile region of central New Jersey drained by the Stony Brook and Millstone River. For directions or to learn more visit www.thewatershed.org/

Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed/Mount Rose Trails
The 240-acre Mount Rose Trails consists mostly of old growth field, but also contains a mature oak-hickory forest, skunk cabbage swamp, vernal pools, the unique geological formations of the Mt. Rose Ridge and the headwaters of the Honey Brook. There are several different trails that can be accessed from the Mount Rose Trails parking area. Unfortunately, the Mt. Rose Trails are not connected to the Main Reserve via trail. Efforts are underway to acquire the necessary land to connect the two pieces.

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail
P.O. Box 6735 Lawrenceville NJ 08648
609-734-5254
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is over 20 miles of multipurpose, recreational trails that run through public and private lands in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships. The idea for the LHT grew out of a commitment to improving the quality of life for all who live or work in Lawrence Township and Hopewell. More specifically, the trail will help provide an active and liveable community with opportunities for recreation, health and fitness, transportation, and outdoor education.

Veterans Park Trails
The land for this 350 acre park was originally part of the John Abbott II farm. The old farm house (circa 1730), the foundation of the barn, a smoke house, a doctor’s office (1840) and herb garden can all be seen in the historic area at the South Entrance. The land was purchased for the park in 1977. The acreage is about to be increased to 450 acres. There are seven walking trails in addition to the paved bikeways in the park. The trails are named by colors and are marked with thick posts the tops of which are painted the color of the trail. All trails are relatively flat and wide with benches, and outlooks along them.

Woodfield Reservation
Access to the Woodfield reservation is also available from Drake\'s Corner Road and Pretty Brook.

Sporting Goods

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
301 North Harrison Street Princeton NJ 08540
609-921-6078

Dick's Clothing and Sporting Goods
530 Nassau Park Blvd. Princeton NJ 08540
609-419-1661

Eastern Mountain Sports
3535 Route 1 Princeton NJ 08540
609.520.8310

Ewing Sports Center
Montgomery Shopping Center US Route 206 North Skillman NJ 08558
609-497-2323

Lacrosse Unlimited
45 Hulfish Street Princeton NJ 08542
609-454-3089

Lady Foot Locker
Quaker Bridge Mall Lawrenceville NJ
609.275.5578

Lang's Ski N' Scuba
1757 North Olden Avenue Ewing NJ
609-538-1970

Langhorne Ski & Sport
543 Lincoln Highway Fairless Hills PA 19030
215-295-4240

Omni Fitness Equipment Specialists
301 North Harrison Street Princeton NJ 08540
609.683.0494

Paint Island Canoe & Kayak
350 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown NJ 08505
609.324.8200

Play It Again Sports
731 Route 33 Hamilton NJ
609.586.8989

Plucking Corners Lacrosse
Pennington Shopping Center Rt 31 Pennington NJ 08534
609-737-4485

Scuba Experience & Aquatics Of Hamilton
2204 Nottingham Way Hamilton NJ
609.584.8008

Ski Barn
2990 Brunswick Pike Lawrence NJ 08648
609-530-1666

Sports Authority
3360 Brunswick Pike Lawrenceville NJ 08648
609-243-8997

Steve's Bait And Tackle
21 East Broad Street Hopewell NJ 08525
609.466.4611

Stitching Horse Leathers Inc.
4422 Route 27 Kingston NJ 08528
609.921.6854

The Paddle Company
27 East Broad Street Hopewell NJ 08525
609-466-8000
The Paddle Company was created fifteen years ago to serve five different paddle sports including:

1. Padel......... played primarily in South America and Europe

2. Platform Tennis......the winter game played primarily in northern parts of the US

3. Paddleball......played primarily in warm weather in eastern cities

4. Four Wall Paddleball.........played in the winter season in the Midwest indoors

5. Paddle Tennis ..........played primarily in California and Florida, but also scattered through South Carolina, New York, and the Midwest. Also making strides throughout Europe & Asia.

By far, the largest paddle sport is Padel with more than five million players worldwide and growing. We have created a full line of paddles for each of these sports with at least one model suitable for every type of player. In addition, we have covered all of the major price categories to enable the retailer a wide variety of price points.

The Scuba Connection
908.359.1050

Universal Lacrosse
1149 Route 601 Skillman NJ 08558
609 466-9470