Patriots' Path | |
Length Mi: | 90 |
Use: | Hiking, Mountain cycling |
Surface: | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel, Ballast, Grass, Dirt |
Season: | Year round |
Difficulty: | Easy |
The Patriots' Path is a multi-use trail system in Morris County, New Jersey, open to cyclists, hikers, and horseback riders, consisting of a 55miles main trail and of spur trails. [1] [2] [3] [4] The main trail is marked with white blazes or a white circular blaze with a brown tree. The spur trails are marked with blue blazes or a white circle with a blue tree, while the side spur trails are marked with a red blaze or a white circle with a red tree.[5] [6]
Patriots' Path stretches from East Hanover, where it connects with the Lenape Trail in Essex County, to Allamuchy Mountain State Park in Sussex County, and the Village of High Bridge in Hunterdon County.[7] In southern Morris County, the path travels mostly along the corridors of the Whippany River, Black River, and Raritan River.[8] Different portions of Patriots' Path include bike trails (paved), cross-country skiing, equestrian trails, and hiking trails (handicap accessible).[9] Parts of the trail are along the right-of-way of the former Rockaway Valley Railroad.[10]
The Patriots’ Path is a part of two other larger trail systems. It is included in the Liberty–Water Gap Trail and the September 11th National Memorial Trail. The Liberty–Water Gap Trail is approximately and the September 11th National Memorial Trail is in length.[11] [12] [13]
The Patriots’ Path is a popular location for scouts to complete their Eagle Project. Some of the Eagle Projects that scouts have completed on the Patriots’ Path include installing benches, extending the trail and installing proper signage, and trail renovation and beautification. A particularly popular project to complete is installing a footbridge on the trail.[14] [15] [16] [17]