Recommended Hikes

Ridge and Valley Conservancy's goal, together with our supporters, is to protect the hills, the valleys, and the history of what we call the Ridge and Valley Region each and every year. Join us at our preserves - find our favorite hikes for each month below.

The shadow of a man, woman and child in the snow — January

Set your intentions for the year with a self-guided First-Day Hike. We recommend Gnome Hollow Preserve for an inspiring winter hike.

A red tail hawk in flight against a blue sky — February

Snowshoe through the Greendell Ridge Preserve trail loop. It is a flat, easy-going trail with nice rock outcroppings to see in winter.

Fiddlehead plants unfurl amidst a bed of fallen fall leaves — March

Blair Creek Preserve has evergreen vegetation and lots of diversity. The woodland, wetland, and creek views are perfect to explore in late winter or early spring

A large rock in the middle of a stream surrounded by trees — April

Take in the spring ephemerals along the Muckshaw Ponds Preserve trail and have lunch at Big Muckshaw Pond.

A birds-eye-view of Shuster Pond Preserve, with an expanse of trees beginning to change colors with a pond in the center of the image, the sun is beginning to set — May

Enjoy a beautiful view of Shuster Pond from the Shuster Pond Overlook stop along the main trail. Make a second trip this month to Birch Ridge Ravine.

A strong stream curren flows with mossy trees and rocks on either side of the bank — June

Have lunch on a rock alongside beautiful Yards Creek in Hemlock Ridge and Ravine. The best spots are at the base of the Hemlock Ravine trail.

A field of light brown grasses stretches across towards a stand of trees, with a bright blue sky dotted with white and grey clouds on the horizon — July

See butterflies and other pollinators in the Dark Moon Preserve meadows.

Trees line a grassy incline, with a fallen tree in the background — August

Gnome Hollow provides a short meadow walk through the old Christmas tree farm, followed by a deep forest hike. It is nice and shady for a hot summer day. Hikers can continue into the Frelinghuysen Forest Preserve adjoining. Horses allowed.

A woman walks over a hiking trail wearing a hat, long pants and hiking shoes and holding a tool — September

Do the full through-hike of Birch Ridge Ravine to Sunset Ridge, relax alongside the lovely Blair Creek tributary that separates the preserves halfway through.

Two people make hearts with their hands in the middle of a forest of fallen orange leaves — October

We recommend fall-color leaf-peeping with great views at Limestone Ridge Preserve.

An orange log is covered in orange and green mushrooms with striations — November

Take in the view along the Spring Valley Preserve nature trail. Ferlas Pond and the adjoining wetlands are important staging areas for birds as they prepare for winter. Photographers will love it here.

A stand of trees in the forest where the ground is covered in fallen leaves and pine needles, presumably in the fall — December

Hike Hemlock Ridge and Ravine. There are great views from the higher elevations of Ridge-side trail. Check out the exciting young hemlock regeneration at this preserve.