Here's where to go in Central Jersey for a New Year's Day hike
There isn't a better way to start off the new year – and work off last night's champagne – than with a First Day Hike, a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors with a hike on Jan. 1
Sustainable Jungle asked 3,000 families what nature walks across the U.S. they would most like to experience on New Year’s Day, and three Central Jersey hikes made the cut out of the 150 selected.
No. 37: Sourland Mountain Preserve Trails, Hillsborough
Located within Somerset County's Sourland Mountain Preserve off East Mountain Road in Hillsborough, this preserve offers a network of trails suitable for families. The Maple Flats Trail is an easy, 1.2-mile loop that meanders through hardwood forests. There are more arduous trails that climb Sourland Mountain.
No. 88: Princeton Nursery Lands, Kingston
This is an easy 1.5-mile, family-friendly hike through the Mapleton Preserve at the entrance to the D & R Canal State Park Headquarters at 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston.
More: 1,100 more acres preserved in one of NJ's most scenic and ecologically important regions
No. 147: Round Valley Recreation Area, Clinton Township
The state park around the state's largest reservoir in Clinton Township off Route 22 features an easy-to-moderate three-mile trail open to everyone. Adults must accompany children, and registration is required for this New Yeat's Day hike.
At the top of Sustainable Jungle's list is a hike that's bit far for Central Jersey residents wanting to take a hike on the three-day weekend. Lanikai Pillbox Hike on the Hawaiian island of Oahu emerged as the most sought-after nature walk to experience on New Year’s Day. It is a 1.6-mile hike offering panoramic views of Lanikai and Kailua. It can be a challenging hike with some rocky parts, ideal for families who hike often.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Here's where to go in Central Jersey for a New Year's Day hike
