Perhaps New Jersey’s best-kept secret is its natural beauty and plentiful nature trails. In fact, some of the best walking paths are located in the area of Jackson NJ. While this is not a comprehensive list, we’ve compiled some of the most favorite walking routes in the area that can be enjoyed at any age—especially by those in retirement looking for a good way to stay active.
Walk Your Way to Staying Fit After 50
If you live in the Jackson New Jersey area are interested in ways of staying fit after 50, this list is for you.
The Purple Heart Trail
Searched for “nature trails near me?” The Purple Heart Trail is an excellent option. Located on the Bunker Hill Bogs, its entrance and main parking lot are located near the intersection of East Veterans Highway and Whitesville Road. Take a walk and you’ll find many former working cranberry bogs that Jackson once was home to. Looking to do more than walk? It’s also a popular spot to fish, hike, bike, bird watch or just take in the scenery. Check out the self-guided digital nature walk before you head out!
Pleasant Grove Bogs Trail
Located along East Pleasant Grove Road, the Pleasant Grove Bogs walking paths wind amongst the beautiful wooded area that was once a cranberry bog. One of the trail loops follows the perimeter of the former bog and contains stunning stands of the extremely-rare Atlantic white cedar.
Silver Stream Trail
You’ll find the entrance and parking for the Silver Stream Trail located near 255 Frank Applegate Road and the walking routes are entirely within the Metedeconk Preserve of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The north leg of the trail traverses various forest types, then reaches the magnificent south branch of the Metedeconk River. The south leg of the trail is quite different with the rare Atlantic white cedars offering a spectacular show. Some portions of the trail are on boardwalks that allow you to walk through the floodplain and riparian wetlands.
Quail
Lake Trail
The Quail Lake Trail is located within the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management
Area on the western edge of Jackson on Hawkin Road. Beautiful Pinelands scenery
surround the area, with lakes and swamps among the pitch pine and scrub oak
forests. If you’re interested in staying fit after 50 and like a sense of
adventure, the area is full of mysterious unnamed and unmapped sand roads to
explore.
Get Out on Those Walking Paths Today
These are some of the top walking routes near Jackson, but if you search “nature trails near me,” you can find plenty more. Most are open dawn to dusk and dogs are allowed to join the fun, but must be on a leash.