About The Warren Highlands Trail

*** BE ADVISED ***

The Warren-Highlands Trail route follows public roads, public trails, and crosses private property only where permitted. Please follow trail blazes and other directional signage. Stay on the trail, respect posted property boundaries, and do not trespass. 

It is the responsibility of all trail users to ensure their own safety and exercise caution at all times. All trail users must follow any local park, preserve, or other landowner rules.

When following the route along or across any public road, all trail users must follow applicable laws. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, pedestrians must:

  • Not leave a “curb or other place of safety” by walking or running into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield or stop. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-36)
  • Yield to drivers when crossing a road at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-36)
  • Yield to drivers at intersections where the pedestrian does not have a green “walk” signal and where drivers have a green signal. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-32)
  • Walk on sidewalks where they are provided and accessible. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-34)
  • Walk along the extreme left side of a highway or its shoulder when possible facing approaching traffic if there is no sidewalk. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-34)
  • Exercise due care for his/her safety. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-36)
  • Not cross any highways having roadways separated by a median barrier except where provision is made for pedestrians to cross. (N.J.S.A. 39:4-34)

Pedestrians risk $54 fines and community service is they fail to yield the right of way to motorists anywhere except at crosswalks.

*** MERRILL CREEK RESERVOIR IS PRIVATE PROPERTY *** 

For those sections of the trail route which pass through the Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR), please be advised that MCR is PRIVATE PROPERTY and only allows for pedestrian traffic on the trails. All MCR rules and regulations must be followed, including MCR opening and closing times, at this section of the Warren Highlands Trail. For MCR rules and regulations, please see: https://merrillcreek.com/

FOLLOW THE RULES, BE SAFE, AND ENJOY!

A Local, National Treasure

The Warren Highlands Trail highlights the natural, scenic, and cultural beauty of Warren County, New Jersey, which is nestled within the majestic Highlands Region. Encompassing over 1.5 million acres in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, the United States Forest Service recognizes this region as nationally significant for its large tracts of public open space, quality drinking water for millions of residents, large areas of wildlife habitat, relationship to the Appalachian Mountains, and its historical links to both the American Revolutionary and American Civil Wars. Within New Jersey alone, the Highlands Region contains nearly 860,000 acres of rolling hills, pastoral valleys, steep ridges, diverse forests, numerous water bodies, and critical wildlife habitats that serve as a significant green belt along the East Coast’s metropolitan areas.

Easily Accessible

Located in Northwestern New Jersey, Warren County has become a key gateway into the Highlands Region. With over 170,000 acres of land in the Highlands Region, nearly 53,000 acres of public open space, more than 22,000 acres of preserved farmland, dozens of historic villages and charming downtowns, and some of the best hiking, biking, and paddling found anywhere in the state, Warren County is a popular regional destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Less than a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia and only about a 1-hour drive from New York City, the Warren Highlands Trail is not only easily accessible from Interstate Routes 78 and 80, but offer millions of east coast residents the opportunity to explore the beautiful Highlands Region and enjoy New Jersey’s friendly countryside.

Spectacular Features

Showcasing the exceptional Highlands Region and pleasant Warren County countryside, the Warren Highlands Trail extends over 52.4 miles from the Delaware River in the west to the Musconetcong River in the east. From its western terminus at the iconic Northampton Street Bridge in Phillipsburg, hikers can connect with the Morris Canal Greenway Trail on the New Jersey side or with the Delaware and Lehigh Trail (D&L Trail) across the bridge in Easton on the Pennsylvania side. From its eastern terminus at the historic Lock 4 West along Waterloo Road in Allamuchy, hikers can again connect with the Morris Canal Greenway Trail or with the related 150 mile multi-state Highlands Trail.

Over forested hilltops, through pastoral valleys, across tranquil rivers, around historic landmarks, and past charming villages, the Warren Highlands Trail highlights the county’s many treasures while meandering its way through the countryside. Along the way, visitors can immerse themselves in over 22,700 acres of preserved natural areas, including:

Visitors can also enjoy numerous breathtaking overlooks along the trail, including views of:

  • The Delaware Water Gap and Kittatiny Ridge from atop Scott’s, Jenny Jump, and Allamuchy Mountains
  • The Delaware River and St. Anthony’s nose from atop Marble Hill, and
  • Warren County’s bucolic Lehigh Valley (part of the Great Appalachian Valley) from atop Oxford Mountain

Traveling through a variety of wildlife habitats including meadows, forests, and wetlands, the trail also visits several beautiful water bodies including:

  • The Delaware, Musconetcong, and Pequest Rivers
  • The Lopatcong, Brass Castle, Buckhorn, Bear, and Merrill Creeks
  • The Mountain Lake, Jenny Jump, Beaver, and Trout Brooks
  • The Mountain, Furnace, and Ghost, Lakes
  • The Allamuchy and Deer Park Ponds, and
  • The Merrill Creek Reservoir

*Please check local park, preserve, or landowner rules regarding swimming, fishing, paddling, boating, or other water-based activities.

Visitors are also invited to explore several fascinating historic sites along the trail, including:

Charming villages and inviting downtowns can also be found along the trail or just nearby, including:

Simple to Navigate

The Warren Highlands Trail is a route that includes new trails, co-alignment on existing trails, and road walking. The trail is marked with a rectangular blue blaze or Warren Highlands Trail emblem where further clarification is needed. Hiking is of course permitted along the entire trail route, but biking, horseback riding, motorized vehicles, and other trail uses may be prohibited on certain lands. Be sure to follow any local rules and kindly carry out any trash.

*Please check local park, preserve, or landowner rules regarding biking, horseback riding, motorized vehicle use, or other recreational activities.

For those visitors hiking sections of the trail, please use only the following designated parking areas:

* Please check local park, preserve, or landowner rules regarding parking. Overnight parking is prohibited in all locations without special written permission from the respective landowner.

Thru-Hikers Welcome

Thru-hiking is permitted along the trail, but camping, fires, and alcohol are prohibited. Restaurants and food stores can be found in the Phillipsburg, Washington, Oxford, Hope, and Hackettsown downtown areas. Thu-hikers must stay at State Park Campgrounds, Bed-And-Breakfasts, or Hotels/Motels along the route or nearby.

Bed and Breakfasts

Campgrounds

Hotels/Motels

This Trail Needs Your Help!

If you’d like to volunteer along the Warren Highlands Trail, please contact the Warren County Land Department of Land Preservation for more information. We can always use help with:

  • Trail Building & Clearing
  • Invasive Species Removal
  • Construction & Maintenance
  • Cleanup & Recycling
  • Special Events and more

*Please check local park, preserve, or landowner rules regarding volunteer activities. Individuals must receive prior permission from the park, preserve, or private landowners before undertaking any volunteer work.

A Collaborative Effort

The Warren Highlands Trail is a collaborative effort between the following groups and organizations:

Governmental Entities

  • The NJDEP Division of State Parks and Forestry
  • The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife
  • The NJDEP Green Acres Program
  • The New Jersey Natural Lands Trust
  • The Warren County Board of County Commissioners
  • The Warren County Board of Recreation Commissioners
  • The Town of Phillipsburg
  • The Township of Lopatcong
  • The Township of Harmony
  • The Township of Washington
  • The Township of Oxford
  • The Township of Allamuchy

Nonprofit Organizations

  • The Metro Trails Hiking Group
  • The New Jersey Conservation Foundation
  • The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
  • The Warren County Parks Foundation
  • The New Jersey Youth Corps

Additional trail maps are available from the New Jersey State Park Service here, under the ‘Trails and Recreation’ dropdown.