NE New Jersey Recreation Columbia Trail & Ken Lockwood Gorge
Ken Lockwood Gorge | Califon | Morris County

columbia trail, voorhees state park, ken lockwood gorge, high bridge The Columbia Trail is a 16 mile greenway corridor that runs between Flanders, Morris County and High Bridge, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. It is used by bikers and joggers alike. It is perfect for a family outing. Most of the corridor parallels the South Branch of the Raritan River.

After passenger trains and rail cars laden with iron ore ceased running on the High Bridge Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, the Columbia Gas company constructed a pipeline under the former rail bed. It then transferred the surface rights to the parks departments of Hunterdon and Morris counties for a recreational trail.

Cycle Craft Long Valley in Long Valley has mountain bikes and hybrid bikes available to rent for $35 a day.
The distance from the Schooleys Mountain trailhead in Long Valley to High Bridge is 11 miles of easy scenic riding. There are also more challenging mountain bike trails accessible along its length

Google Map

Fishing:
Search for fishing in Ken Lockwood Gorge
Shannons Fly & Tackle Shop, Califon

Columbia Trail and Ken Lockwood Gorge

columbia trail, voorhees state park, ken lockwood gorge, high bridge
Google Map

A popular 7.5 mile hike is a lollipop route which follows the Columbia trail from the parking lot off Main St in High Bridge to Cokesburry Road (take a side trail to the left at 1.3 miles). Turn right on Cokesburry Rd. then left at River Road. Follow river road thru Ken Lockwood Gorge, where you are likely to see fly fishermen on the South Branch of the Raritan River one of the most popular fishing locations in NJ.
3.5 miles into the hike turn left on Hoffman's Crossing Road, follow this road briefly, then turn right on the Columbia Trail at the bicycle crossing.
You will notice the teal diamond blazes of the Highlands Trail as it follows the same route as the Columbia Trail through this section.
You will cross a bridge high over the river to the other side.
Shortly after crossing the bridge, the teal-blazed Highlands Trail leaves the Columbia Trail to the right where it switchbacks up out of the gorge and reaches Voorhees State Park in just under 2 miles.
Continue along the Columbia Trail crossing the bridge over Cokesbury Road at 6.3 miles and on thru town to the parking lot.
Note: The only bathrooms are porta-potties at the High Bridge parking lot.
See: Ken Lockwood Gorge and the Columbia Trail | New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

Columbia Trail North of Ken Lockwood Gorge - Califon

Columbia Trail Morris County Section


Morris County Park Commission - Columbia Trail

Links:
Hunterdon County Dept. of Parks and Recreation - Columbia Trail
  Brochure
Ken Lockwood Gorge and the Columbia Trail | New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Columbia Trail | New Jersey Trails | TrailLink.com
Gone Hikin.blogspot : Ken Lockwood Gorge and Voorhees State Park, NJ
Highlands Trail
trails.com/
Columbia Trail | Park Trail Maps | Mountain Biking | Hiking | GpsTrailSource
Biking: Columbia Trail - Ken Lockwood Gorge - 2011 | njHiking.com
Columbia Trail - Wikipedia
Morris County Park Commission - Columbia Trail


last updated 28 July 2014