Mountain Biking In New Jersey Provides Beauty And Challenge
New Jersey is a great state to go mountain biking. The state is literally full of biking trails which offer the avid biker just about anything they are looking for. The state boasts of close to 300,000 acres of land which is devoted to state parks and uncluttered forests. It also offers 127 miles of coastline which has canals that are great for biking.
In past history, New Jersey was a top trade center and railroads were abundant throughout the state. Today, these old railroad trails make mountain biking in New Jersey one of the most scenic states to visit. One might think they are stepping back in time when they travel down the trails where their ancestors went before them.
Areas Best For Mountain Biking In New Jersey
In New Jersey's great northwest you will find the Skylands region which features 60,000 acres of parks and wildlife management areas. You will find rugged hills and magnificent forests and valleys to provide you with a scenic ride. Some of the best mountain biking in New Jersey can be found in this area.
The Sussex Branch Rail Trail offers twenty-one miles of forest trails which pass through small towns and farms. The terrain can be rugged at times but it also provides easy riding for those who are not as experienced.
The Gateway region is home to Ellis Island and Liberty State Park, but it also offers some great places for mountain biking in New Jersey. The path of the old canal is popular with the recreational set and offers wildlife along the way. There are old bridges to cross and cobblestone paths which were laid by hand. In the northwest part of the Gateway you will find a complete system of trails which are suitable for biking. Here they offer roads which have gravel surfaces and trails which are made to be ridden single file.
Parvin State Park is a small park which often gets overlooked, but it offers plenty of serene beauty and gentle trails which are suitable for the entire family. This is also a great place for the beginner who doesn't yet have a lot of mountain biking skills.
Mountain biking in New Jersey can be an adventure, or it can be a romantic getaway. The state has such a wide variety of trails to offer, the hardest decision will be which ones you want to ride. You can take a ride back in history by following some of the old canal and rail trails, or you can just relax and enjoy the beauty in one of their many parks. The choice is entirely yours.
