Description
The Berkshire Valley Management Area Trail passes through hardwood forests and affords views of the valley below to the right. Equestrians must have a NJ Wildlife Permit, which is available from NJ DEP for a fee.
What is now the trail was once a connector to the Ogden Mine Railroad, which originally terminated at Nolan's Point on Lake Hopatcong from its journey from Edison (formerly Ogden) and the mines. From Nolan's Point, the ore was shipped via boat across Lake Hopatcong to the Morris Canal then shipped to points east.
Following the advent of the railroad, the canal connection became obsolete, and an extension, called the Hopatcong Railroad, was constructed southbound from Nolan's Point to near Lake Junction, connecting with the Wharton and Northern Railroad.
Parking and Trail Access
Take Route 15 west to Berkshire Valley Road and follow for 2.3 miles to Gordon Road. Take a right on Gordon Road and just past the intersection of Country Road the trail begins on the right. Just past the trail is a small access road that leads to the parking lot.
Berkshire Valley Management Area Trail
By
Ken Smith
in
October, 2006
"It's Wharton, NJ 07885 "
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Extremely jarring bike ride
By
railtrailbiker
in
November, 2002
"If you’ve recently purchased a mountain bike equipped with either front or dual suspension and have been searching for a location to test its shock absorption capabilities, look no further!
The surface on this trail was the roughest I’ve encountered ...
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A steep rail trail!
By
njrailwalker
in
March, 2002
" This trail is another segment of the Ogden Mine RR (the other useable section is in Mahlon Dickerson Reservation about 5 miles further north). From Gorden Road, the trail rises gently, then rather steeply for a railroad ROW, with the valley on the right ...
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