Batsto Village Trail
Length: Half-mile to 4 miles
Begin at Historic Batsto Village
Wharton State Forest
31 Batsto Road, Hammonton
609-561-0024
batstovillage.org
Look for: Check out Batsto Village (most of the buildings are free to explore), then hit the woods for the Batsto Red (half-mile), Blue (less than two miles) or White (four miles) trails. Each short trail will take you around Batsto Lake (to see more of Wharton State Forest, try the Mullica River and Batona Trail Loop below).
Creekside Trail
Length: 3 miles
Begin at parking lot
Rancocas State Park
Deacon Road & North Broad Street, Hainesport
609-726-1191
state.nj.us
Look for: Though it’s a relatively short hike at just over three miles, the Blue Trail takes you through both scenic woodlands and wetlands. Take your time and look for deer and the many birds that frequent the area, like heron, hawks and eagles.
Cape May Point State Park Trails
Length: Half-mile to 1.5 miles
Begin at Lighthouse at Cape May Point
215 Light House Avenue, Cape May Point
(Or Route 629 & Lehigh Avenue, Cape May Point)
609-884-2159
state.nj.us
Look for: Walk to the top of the lighthouse to scout your trail, then come back down to check out the wetland marsh. There are three short trails to choose from, and the Red Trail (0.5 miles) is wheelchair accessible – a fun, short trip along the boardwalk to check out the dunes and the lighthouse ponds, where you can see visiting birds like ospreys.
Mullica River and Batona Trail Loop
Length: 11.5 miles
Begin at Batsto Village Visitors Center
Wharton State Forest
31 Batsto Road, Hammonton
609-561-0024
nynjtc.org
Look for: The trail runs along the Mullica River and passes by 18th-century buildings before meeting up with the massive, 50-mile Batona Trail (no need to walk the entire Batona), which runs parallel to the Batona River. The trail is flat and sandy, and is dog-friendly.
Songbird Trail
Length: 2.2 to 5.1 miles
Begin at Visitor Center parking
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
800 Great Creek Road, Galloway
609-652-1665
fws.gov
Look for: Look for shorebirds and other wildlife as you walk along the marsh. Keep walking on other trails to add to your hike, and definitely don’t leave without walking the Leeds Edo-Trail – a half-mile boardwalk trail that goes over the salt marsh.
Read about hiking tips – and other favorite hiking spots – here.
