The Best Day Hike You Can Take With Your Dog In New Jersey

Blue/Yellow/White/Red Trails
Pyramid Mountain National Historic Area • Boonton

Pyramid Mountain is not what Seaman would expect from a hike in heavily suburbanized northern New Jersey. The mountain is best known for its glacial erratics - boulders that were sprinkled across the landscape by retreating ice sheets long ago. The most celebrated is Tripod Rock,a boulder variously estimated at between 150 and 200 tons in weight, that is suspended heroically off the ground by three smaller stones. Two massive stone monoliths: Whale HeadRock and Bear Rock stand close by. It was the desire to save these treasured rocks that led to the development of the Natural Historic Area that protects more than 1,500 acres of sporty trails, fields, forests and wetlands.

A five-mile loop cobbled togetherfrom the Visitors Center takes in all three natural phenomena. As a bonus the route tops out at 924 feet on Pyramid Mountain with views of the New York City skyline. There are wet paws along the way and enough short, steep, and rocky climbs to remind Seaman he is on a mountain and not in suburban New Jersey. Switchbacks help lessen the strain of 300-foot elevation gains.

If you are used to hiking with your dog in some of the wilder areas of the metropolitan New York area, Pyramid Mountain may seem like you have signed up for a parade on sunny weekends. Maybe someone will invite you and Seaman to drop in for a backyard barbecue at the end.

HIKING TIME: 2-3 hours

(from the book 300 Day Hikes To Take With Your Dog Before He Tires You Out: Trails where you won’t be able to wipe the wag off your dog’s tail)

Hiking With Your Dog in New Jersey