Mapleton Preserve Trail
Deer, wild turkeys, foxes, eagles…. they’ll be startled by you in this tranquil, precious collection of trees and pathways. Several building relics and countless intriguing tree species stand tribute to…
Princeton Highlands / Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve Trail
For someone who is ever in search of the English countryside, these tree-lined rolling meadows come quite close. From the parking lot, there’s a trail leading in every direction and…
Mount Rose Preserve
In the end, Nature always wins. [mic drop] Ok, I’m back. Turning into the driveway leading to the parking lot, you’ll pass unexpected relics of the time when the nation’s…
Reinhardt Forest Preserve Trail
A simple, serene yellow-blazed 1.2-mile loop wraps around these sweet woods, with a red and blue trail through the middle, skirting what appears to be a shallow pond. A stream…
Sayen Garden & Trail
Formal gardens surrounding the Arts and Crafts era Sayen bungalow, dense woods and a beautifully landscaped park share this compact 30-acre corner in Hamilton – connected by a wonderfully convoluted…
Battlefield Park Hideaway
Psssst. There’s a secret little park behind the Princeton Battlefield Monument – and it hides the best climbing tree in town. And a scenic little pond. With smitten geese. And…
Pryde Point – Alexauken Trail
The scenery changes from moment to moment here. First, the yellow trail sets off through a long meadow, dives through some woods and then follows a sloping gravel road to…
Eames Preserve Trail
I couldn’t stop smiling along this enchanting sliver of paradise. Nature just feels especially gracious here. The parking spot is the highest point of the trail, and the picturesque bend…
Turtleback Park Trail
This short, sweet strip sneaks between Little Shabakunk Creek and neighborhood gardens. From the friendly turtle sculpture marking the beginning of the trail, it’s only a few steps to the…
Loveless Preserve Trail
A curtain of evergreens surrounds the trail head, revealing a long, beckoning corridor through the woods – a fitting welcome since the Loveless family formerly ran a Christmas tree farm.…
Sourland Mountains Kulak Preserve Trail
From its launch pad on Featherbed Lane, the trail crosses the Kulak Preserve and then mingles with other Sourland trails. In Autumn and Winter, a thick layer of leaves thoroughly…
Nayfield Preserve Trail
A broad meadow welcomes you at the very start of the trail, along with ecological art in the form of intriguing flower sculptures that function as bee coves. A lovely…
Waldorf School Trail
“Idyllic” epitomized. This sweet and varied farmland footpath – with streams, pastures and cows – connects the Cherry Brook Preserve with the Waldorf School. There’s no better place to examine…
Jacob’s Creek Trail, Franz Preserve
The out and back along Jacob’s Creek past awesome bathing beaches has become a family favorite. The lovely path climbs through the woods and skittles across stepping stones – with…
Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve Trail
Everything here happens under a vast, towering canopy – an excellent place to lose your mind and save your soul. Steep as the white trail trek up to the ridge…
Gulick Preserve Trail
A sweet little frogtopia, ever-changing clusters of wigwams and lean-tos, natural balance beam, intersections of tiny streams, seasonal wineberry hors d’oeuvres and a Christmas tree garden – all in a…
Mountain Lakes Preserve, Tusculum Meadows & Johnson Boardwalk Trails
In the middle of Princeton, Mountain Lakes Open Space Area encompasses five distinct natural worlds, one more enchanting than the next. Mountain Lakes Preserve sits in the middle, surrounded by…
Butler Road Natural Area Trail
Though this preserve feels sweet and discrete, it’s actually quite large. The tight, snaking purple trail is jam packed with lovely vignettes, mini pastures, creeks and cedar passageways and it’s…
Bessie Grover Park Trail
New playground, picnic tables, BBQ pits, flat rock beaches, shallow river, winding footpaths, mini cliffs, a port-a-potty – all waiting for you if you don’t blink as you’re driving past.…
Rock Mill Preserve Trail
Such care has gone into sharing this magical place, buried in the woods. Beginning at the trail head, signs appoint the pathway like footmen guiding your passage, describing the historic…
Institute Woods Trail
Timeless pathways for Sunday promenades connect vast prairies, historic landmarks, a wild life refuge and the D & R canal – not to mention the Institute for Advanced Studies. Technically,…
Carson Road Woods Trail
These are the things footpathing dreams are made of – all in one demure and lovely place. You’ll find a clear, level bike path, endless meadow, towering forest, subway-like tunnels…
Omick Woods Trail
A lovely loop through the woods with 3 distinct features: stone stairways crossing a picturesque creek, a pretty overlook, and a fairyland path across a dam that empties to a…
Lawrence Brook Trail
Your choice of paved or unpaved path ambles through this unexpected corridor of wilderness, complete with colonies of beavers, a tranquil river, wetlands and a railroad. ACTIVITIES: Train Gazing DIRECTIONS…
Sourland Ecosystem Preserve Trail
Ambling through woods and along boardwalks and leap-frogging boulders along streams, your path will be fairly level with the exception of one knoll in the Northeast section. LEARN / HELP…
Kunkel Park & Pennington Loop Nature Trail
Two charming wooden archways act as portals between the wonderworld that is Kunkel Park – with its large sandbox, play structure, covered picnic benches and rolling meadows – and the…
Van Horne Park Trail
Hidden in plain sight, this spacious park is an excellent place for strollers or taking off the training wheels. A paved path encircles a large deer wilderness as well as…
St. Michael’s Farm Preserve Trail (West)
If you’re a fan of the English countryside like me, your heart will swell at the views in this lovely shire, complete with a village steeple and farm silos. On…
Woodfield Reservation Trail
Trails scamper throughout this broad ridge, often across long planks and artisanal bridges with landmark destinations (like Counsel Rock or Pond View) that do not disappoint. You can spend a…
Hobler Park Trail
The expansive recreation lawn, brand new playground and large gazebo with plush BBQs come into view when you pull into the large parking lot. The wonderfully intricate and naturally ornamental…
Heathcote Brook Trail
Part meditatively tranquil and predictable, part rambling meadows and all around, forest that few humans ever breach (at least, that’s what the fox told me). Connects to Kendall Woods trail.…
Cedar Ridge Preserve Trail
There’s an epic aura to this place – Sherwood Forest meets the Serengeti. Trails start from either Van Dyke or Stony Brook Roads; and either way you begin at a…
Bunker Hill Natural Area Trail
We waded in Huckleberry Finn’s footsteps here. Broad, mowed trails on the hill drop to an under realm of pure adventure. From the parking lot, paths lure you through the…
Otto’s Farm Park Trail
Sloping views sweep across farmland and forests in this beautifully maintained preserve with picnic benches scattered at meandering intersections. Natural arches beckon to be explored and timeless stone steps lead…
Historic Overlook Park Trail
This forgotten place is full of wonderful, precious surprises. An allee of trees leads to one of Princeton’s oldest specimens, “The Washington Oak,” alive when the Constitution was signed and…