Columbia Trail
Directions
To reach the southern end of the trail in High Bridge take I-78 to Exit 17 [Clinton], continue north on NJ 31 for 1.9 miles and turn right onto County 513. Columbia Trailhead Parking, 73 Main St., High Bridge, NJ 08829. GPS Coordinates: 40.669518, -74.896418
- Public transportation: Weekday commuter service on the NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line to High Bridge. GPS coordinates: 40.666890, -74.895860. Trailhead a four-block walk north on Main Street from the station.
To reach the northern end at Bartley, take I-80 to Exit 27A, proceed south on US 206 to Flanders. Turn right onto Flanders-Bartley Road [County 614] for 0.7 mile, then turn left and continue for 1.5 miles to the end of the active rail line.
Road access is also available at various other points along the trail.
Park Overview
Sixteen miles along a rail-to-trail level pathway paralleling the South Branch of the Raritan River from High Bridge in Hunterdon County north to Bartley in Morris County.
Trail Overview
For much of its length the Columbia Trail parallels the South Branch of the Raritan River. At its southern end, it passes through the Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area. The Morris County segment is 8.5 miles; the Hunterdon County segment is 8 miles.
Use the Web Map link on this site to view trail maps for both segments.
Park Description
Historically, the High Bridge Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey extended from the town of High Bridge, where it connected to the main line of the railroad, north to Hopatcong Junction, where it split into spurs that served several iron mines. Freight service continued until 1975. Subsequently, the surface rights of the right-of-way have been acquired by Hunterdon and Morris counties from High Bridge to Bartley and has been converted into a rail trail, known as the Columbia Trail.
Use Contact Information on this site for the Morris County Park Commission and here for Hunterdon County Department of Parks and Recreation, Flemington, [908-782-1158].