Highlands Preserve
Directions
Take I-287 to Exit 57 and continue on Skyline Drive to its western end at Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Ringwood. Turn right and proceed for 8.4 miles to a Y intersection with Union Valley Road. Take the right fork and continue ahead on Warwick Turnpike. In 0.1 mile, turn right into the parking area for the Highlands Preserve (the sign for the Preserve is not easily visible from the road).
Park Overview
If you're looking for a pleasant place to walk in an attractive forest, with relatively level trails, this park is a good choice.
Trail Overview
The main north-south trail in the park is the Green Trail, which is 1.2 miles long and follows a woods road for its entire length. The Yellow Trail, a 1.3-mile loop, loops around the eastern section of the park, following woods roads. The Blue Trail, 0.8 mile long, is mostly a footpath that traverses an interesting forest. Three other trails are the White Trail (0.25 mile), the Red Trail (0.4 mile) and the Orange Trail (0.2 mile). The Green, White, Yellow and Blue Trails can be combined to make an attractive 2.8-mile lollipop-loop hike.
Park Description
Highlands Preserve (formerly known as San Cap Park) is a 268-acre park located in West Milford, N.J., between Abram S. Hewitt State Forest and Greenwood Lake. It is owned and maintained by Passaic County. Many of the trails are woods roads, although some are attractive footpaths.