The Skylands Region,
New Jersey's Great Northwest, encompasses 60,0000 acres
of State Parkland and Wildlife Management Areas. This mountainous region is characterized by
rugged hills, forests and lush valleys. It contains the state's largest black
bear population. Stokes State Forest, Wawayanda and High Point State Parks offer some of the best mountain biking trails in the state.
The Sussex
Branch Rail Trail,
winds for 21 miles through forests, small towns and farms. It passes through Allamuchy and Kittatinny State Parks and meets up with the 26 mile Paulinskill
Valley Rail Trail at Warbase junction, providing miles of easy, scenic mountain biking in this rugged region.
As the "Gateway to Freedom", this region is known as the home of Liberty State Park and Ellis Island. It includes
most of the state's big cities and industry. Surprisingly, some of the best places to ride are located in the Gateway Region.
A legacy from the early days of industry and transportation, the 70 mile Delaware & Raritan
Canal State Park begins here and cuts across the center of the
state to the Delaware River. This old canal towpath trail
is a popular recreational and wildlife corridor. 19th-century bridges, bridge tender houses,
past and present locks, cobblestone spillways and hand-built stone-arched culverts make
riding along the canal a must for history lovers of all ages.
The extreme northwest of the Gateway region is ideal mountain bike terrain. It is an area of rugged hills, ancient remnants of mountains worn down over a period
of 2 million years. Located here is Ringwood State Park, a mountain bike mecca with a system of trails ranging from rough woodland single-track trails to gravel-surfaced roads.
Lewis Morris County Park and Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, both part of the extensive Morris County Park System, can be classified as "Urban Legends". Both offer miles
of multi-use trails.
The Delaware River region has been called the "Crossroads of the American Revolution". Evidence of colonial times can be found in historic towns and sites throughout the area.
The Delaware & Raritan Feeder Canal
is an arm of the 70 mile Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park corridor. It runs along the Delaware River and joins the main channel 22 miles south at Trenton, 14 feet closer to sea level.
To the east, towards the Atlantic coast, the landscape consists of pine forests and salt marshes, shallow lagoons and meadows. The legendary New Jersey Pine Barrens is the largest tract of open space on the Mid-Atlantic
Coast and home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals. Dwarfed
forests, cranberry bogs, carnivorous plants and slow moving, tea colored streams define the landscape. Riding through the maze of flat sand roads that honeycomb this mysterious terrain, at Brendan
Byrne and Wharton State Forests, is an other-worldly experience.
Beautiful sandy beaches, amusement piers and boardwalks
can be found along the coast of the Shore region.
Every few miles there is a picturesque village and
accompanying beach. Wildlife refuges, state parks, historic sites and nature trails abound. The northern end of the region, (The Highlands) is characterized by flat-topped
ridges of rock that rise abruptly 1,000 feet from the landscape.
Whether
you are interested in an historical, wildlife, romantic or scenic mountain biking experience -
Allaire State Park, Manasquan
Reservoir, Hartshorne Woods and Huber
Woods Parks
offer something for everyone.
The Victorian era comes to life in the Southern Shore Region. Visitors can travel back in time and walk the gas-lit streets of Cape May, a National Historic Landmark city. The fishing port of Cape May/Wildwood is one of the largest on the East Coast and home port to some of the largest fishing vessels. Beaches, boardwalks, lighthouses and seafaring museums add to the charm. Browse the many craft and country shops in historic Cold Spring Village.
Parvin State Park, situated on the
edge of the Pine Barrens is a small,
serene park that is often overlooked. It is perfect for family day trips, beginners
and for those who just want to ride and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
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