Rail-Trail
Roughness Index
1
Surface
Asphalt
Cape May’s 2.7-mile Cold Spring Bike Path and 8.9-mile Middle Township Bike Path were fully connected in summer 2017. Riders can now pick up the trail at US 9/Sandman Boulevard in Lower Township across the street from the local elementary school and ride it just over 11 miles north to the Cape May County Park & Zoo. The trail acts as a backbone for the 16 municipalities that surround it, and future spur trails will connect even more communities and local attractions.
The Jersey shore was a major vacation destination for residents of the Delaware Valley region throughout the early 20th century. From the 1890s to 1930s, two parallel railroad lines—the Atlantic City Railroad and West Jersey & Seashore Railroad—shuttled passengers to the coast for a seashore break. The competing trains, visible to each other along the parallel tracks, used to race to see which company could reach Cape May the fastest. As private automobiles grew more popular and people began to turn their interest toward more exotic destinations, the railroads merged and service was eventually discontinued.
The wooded northern end of the Middle Township Bike Path runs adjacent to the Cape May County Park & Zoo.
This rail-trail journey will take you along a segment of the former West Jersey & Seashore Railroad railbed. Starting at the southern endpoint of the Cold Spring Bike Path (sometimes called the Historic Cold Spring Village Bike Path) at US 9/Sandman Boulevard, head north 1 mile to the Historic Cold Spring Village. At this nonprofit open-air living history museum, you can view life as it was in the early to mid-19th century and also enjoy a restored rail station. Just south of where US 9 meets the Historic Cold Spring Village, the path crosses an intermittent stream on an 8-foot wide, 40-foot-long trestle bridge for bike and pedestrian traffic.
The trail parallels Seashore Road as you travel under a canopy of trees, passing a high school and golf course to the right. Just past the suburban community of Erma, at 2.7 miles, the Cold Spring Bike Path transitions into the Middle Township Bike Path. You’ll notice many idyllic camping areas and wineries to the east and west as you enter Erma and then pass through the Rio Grande community in 4.1 miles.
The homes begin to grow scarce as you enter the woods through Middle Township. You may even run across a bunny or deer as you continue to the northern endpoint at the Cape May County Park & Zoo at 11.6 miles. If you are here in the spring or summer, you’ll enjoy a beautiful display of wildflowers and butterflies along the trail. Zoo admission is free, as is parking for cars.
CONTACT: capemaycountynj.gov/1026/Fitness-Trails
Near the southern end of the Cold Spring Bike Path, travelers will have a view of a passenger train station built in 1894.
DIRECTIONS
To reach parking near the southern endpoint, follow Garden State Pkwy. south to its end. Take Exit 0 for NJ 109, and turn right. In 0.6 mile, turn left onto US 9. A few parking spaces are available on your right in 700 feet, or continue 0.5 mile, and turn right onto Seashore Road. Parking for the trail’s southern endpoint can be found at the Historic Cold Spring Village Museum, which appears on your left in 0.7 mile. If heading north on US 9 from Delaware, consider taking the US 9 N/Cape May–Lewes Ferry. Information on ferry vehicle fares can be found at cmlf.com/schedules-fares. From the Cape May Terminal, drive 2.4 miles on US 9 N/Lincoln Blvd./Sandman Blvd. Turn left onto Seashore Road, and go 0.7 mile to reach the Historic Cold Spring Village Museum on your right. Once you park, the southernmost endpoint can be found 0.7 mile south at the intersection with US 9/Sandman Blvd. Alternatively, you can pick up the trail from the museum and continue north from there.
To reach parking at the trail’s northern endpoint from Garden State Pkwy., take Exit 11 for Crest Haven Road. Head west on County Road 609/Crest Haven Road, and travel 0.2 mile until it becomes County Park Road and enters the zoo, where parking is available. From the Cape May Terminal, drive 2.8 miles on US 9 N/Lincoln Blvd./Sandman Blvd. to NJ 109 S. Turn right onto NJ 109 S, and go 1 mile. Merge onto Garden State Pkwy., and continue 10.6 miles to Exit 11. Turn left onto CR 609/Crest Haven Road, and follow it 0.2 mile until it becomes County Park Road and enters the zoo, where parking is available.
4 Columbia Trail
Counties
Hunterdon, Morris
Endpoints
Main St. between Church St. and Center St. (High Bridge) to Bartley Road/County Road 625 between Bartley-Chester Road and S4 Bridges Road (Long Valley)
Mileage
15.0
Type
Rail-Trail
Roughness Index
2
Surface
Crushed Stone
The Columbia Trail has the distinction of being named for a natural gas pipeline that runs beneath it for 15 miles in rural northern New Jersey. The crushed-stone trail rolls along the South Branch of the Raritan River, passing through historical communities such as High Bridge and Califon, as well as a steep, natural gorge.
The Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation buried the gas pipeline beneath the old railbed of the High Bridge Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey in the 1990s. The railroad dates to 1876, when it started hauling iron ore from local mines. Passenger service ended in 1935, followed by cancellation of freight in 1976. After installing the pipeline, the company donated a trail easement to Hunterdon and Morris Counties to develop and maintain a recreational trail.
The Columbia Trail travels through mature deciduous and evergreen forests that create a canopy from the summer sun. White-tailed deer, raccoons, and coyotes, as well as the occasional black bear, make their home here. Heading north, the trail passes farm- and pastureland. There are several towns in which to stop for snacks along the way.
Nearly the entire length of the Columbia Trail is lushly forested.
