Sussex Branch Rail Trail

New Jersey Rail Trails
Skylands Region, NJ

Historic/Family
Trail Description

Location: Byram Township (Waterloo Rd.) to Branchville (Main St.). Sussex County

Directions: Parking area is on Rt. 206 in Andover. Numerous other access points with parking along the trail, including Warbasse Junction and Waterloo Rd.

Trail Length: 21.2 miles

Trail Surface: Crushed Stone, gravel

Trail Difficulty: Gravel, ballast, cinder

Caution: Shared use with hikers and equestrians. There is a 1.5 mile interruption of the trail throught the town of Newton with a bypass on local roads.

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Note: The trail maps on this website have been simplified to provide an overview with approximate locations of trails and special features. Read Full Disclaimer.

The Trail:

The Sussex Branch Rail Trail follows the railbed of the former Sussex Branch of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. It takes you through 21 miles of forest, farmland and small towns in this bucolic corner of the New Jersey Skylands. What makes this a good ride for mountain bikes is the less than perfect trail maintenance.

A lot of effort has not been made in re-grading the surface, which varies from gravel to cinder or ballast. There is even a stream crossing at one point (a nuisance for adults but fun for kids). The ride is flat, relatively easy and is fine for families with basic mountain biking skills. The trail passes through Allamuchy and Kittatinny State Parks, both popular mountain biking destinations in New Jersey, providing many miles of singletrack mountain bike trails. At Warbasse Junction the Sussex Branch trail intersects the 26 mile long Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail.

The scenery along the way is constantly changing. It passes through rock cuts, woods, fields and farmland and past Cranberry Lake. Watch for beaver, deer, mink, muskrat, otter and other animals.

Historical Note:

The railroad first arrived here in 1851 to transport iron ore from the Andover Mine to the Morris Canal. It later expanded to become the Sussex Branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western NJ rail system. Rail era station foundations, mileage and whistle markers, battery boxes, bridges, creameries and ice houses can be seen along the way. It also passes through the quaint village of Lafayette, with several antique shops and cafes.

For more information:

Trail Website: Sussex Branch Rail Trail

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