Sussex Branch Trail
The Sussex Branch Trail is a rail trail in New Jersey, United States, with a total length of 20 miles (32 km).[1]
| Sussex Branch Trail | |
|---|---|
| Length | 20 mi (32 km) |
| Location | Sussex County, New Jersey |
| Trailheads | Bryam Township @ Waterloo Road Branchville Borough |
| Use | Hiking, Mountain cycling |
| Hiking details | |
| Trail difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Year round |
| Surface | Gravel, Ballast, Grass, Dirt, Cinder |
| Right of way | Sussex Branch of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad |
The Sussex Branch Trail follows a portion of the Sussex Branch line of the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad (and predecessor Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad that traverses through Sussex County from Byram Township to Branchville.[2] New Jersey acquired the right-of-way for the trail in two transactions during 1979 and 1982.[2]
The trail transects swamps, lakes, fields and several small communities. There are many features of the trail's former life as a railroad, including cuts through bedrock, underpasses for farm equipment and bridges crossing the Pequest River and Paulinskill River. The cinder base of the trail is suitable for hiking, horseback riding, biking and cross-country skiing. The Sussex Branch Trail also crosses through Allamuchy Mountain State Park.[3]
The Sussex Branch Trail intersects the Paulinskill Valley Trail at Warbasse Junction[1] just north of Newton[4] as well as the 3.5-mile Great Valley Rail Trail in Augusta, south of Branchville, New Jersey.[5][6]
References
- "Remember the Sussex Branch". Retrieved 2011-04-06.
- "Paulinskill & Sussex Branch Trails". Retrieved 2011-04-06.
- "Kittatinny Valley State Park". Retrieved 2011-04-06.
- "Skylands Visitor". Retrieved 2011-04-06.
- http://www.sussex.nj.us/documents/planning/trailsystem.pdf
- http://www.njwildlifetrails.org/SkylandsTrails/Sites/tabid/445/Scope/site/Guide/SKYLANDS/Site/214/Default.aspx