Sussex Branch Trail:
New Jersey
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Description:
Built on the former Sussex Branch line of the Erie Lackawanna RR, the Sussex Branch Trail traverses 20 miles through farmland, forests and small towns in Sussex County, beginning at Waterloo Rd. in Byram Township and ending at the Branchville Borough line. It connects with several other local trails in the Kittatinny Valley State Park, Allamuchy Moutain State Park, and Paulinskill Valley Trail.

There is a 1.5 mile trail interruption through the town of Newton that must be bypassed on local roads by trail users.

The trail is picturesque passing through Kittitiny Valley State Park in Andover NJ, which also provides for single track mountain biking. A large parking area on Route 206 in Andover allows for immediate access to trail.

The southern section of the trail was purchased in 1979 and the northern section in 1982 from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.

There is emergency vehicle access along the trail and it is patrolled by park rangers on various forms of transportation as often as staffing allows. Occasionally, the trail hosts historic walks. There is one tunnel along the trail and eight bridges (one was recently torn down and was leads to a portion not owned by the park). There are fences put up by adjacent landowners and the original railroad. There is one school within a quarter mile of the trail.
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Parking & Trail Access:
There is a large parking area on Route 206 in Andover that allows for immediate access to trail. There are also multiple parking areas along the length of the trail. Trail users are encouraged to contact the park office at 973-786-6445 for information.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Trail really goes from South End of Allamuchy to Branchville
By dhoerl on July 06, 2010
Rode the trail from trailhead at Allamuchy to termination Branchville - approx 22 miles - will post photos later. The ride through Allamuchy is easy and well maintained (and pretty!) - in mid summer the light filters through the trees, creating a nice effect, and it was much cooler than out in the sun. At Cranbury lake, the trail gets more difficult - rocky and narrow - but is rideable. A convenience store is across 206 (light). The trail is unmarked but hugs 206, and finally brings you to Kittatinny Park, ending at CO 616. Cross the road, pick up trail again, ending at CO 663. 1.5 miles on the road and you can get back on the trail (just after mile marker 1.0). The trail from there goes un-interrupted to Branchville. This section is less maintained - some gravel, narrower single track in some areas, and a 100 yard bog that was damp with puddles in the middle of a dry spell in July. The trail apparently ends at a point where a bridge is missing - believe this was Mill Rd but not positive. From the road, cross over a bridge going North and get back onto the trail (unmarked). This bit takes you to a blocked steel bridge. Make a clockwise circle from that point to the other side and see a well preserved rail road car that's being used for storage. Had a small lunch then turned around for home. I did the round trip in a bit over 5 hours. There was an ice cream shop (Millside Cafe?) where I got more water, and I did see the Andover Diner (but it appeared closed).

I very much enjoyed this ride - mostly in the shade, lots to see, varied terrain. If its just rained the "bog" near Branchville will be impassible - I met a guy on the trail who had turned around given its current (good) condition!
Some good changes
By Rebecca on November 16, 2006
"We've been biking this trail in pieces and have found much of what has been reviewed on this site to be quite accurate -- even a few years later. I just wish we'd found this site before setting out the first time! It would've saved us time fruitlessly searching for the path through Andover and navigating the impossibly boggy bit between Cranberry Lake and Andover. That said, the ride around Newton has been improved by large, clear signage pointing bikers/hikers around the detour. We emerged from the trail next to Stickles Pond Road and crossed Rte. 616/Newton-Sparta Road where we spotted the trail just below us -- before but within sight of the Welcome to Newton sign. That part of the trail went just a short way to Rte. 663/Hicks Ave. where there was a large sign proclaiming ""TRAIL"" with an arrow pointing right and another, explanatory sign directing us to proceed 1.1 miles down 663 and look for the trail continuation on the left. Sure enough, just after milepost 1 we saw the trail and crossed the road (we weren't too thrilled with riding on busy highway with narrow shoulder littered with branches and pinecones). There is parking for a few cars here. The trail access goes for about 100 yards (watch for large stones -- rocks, really, and a big bump going up to the trail proper). Here is a T-intersection with another large ""TRAIL"" sign and a right-pointing arrow and another sign explaining the ""detour"". Coming south, one encounters a sign pointing left with clear directions. This seems to serve to simplify the route through Newton and also seems to avoid ""Moors Creek"" which we never encountered. I expect that ""purists"" can still find the old route, but we, having come armed with several online suggestions for routes through Newton, and various ideas for getting around the creek, were pleased to find things much clearer than expected. Having recently returned to regular cycling after a 30-year hiatus, we were happy to have things clearly explained."
holy cow
By reen on September 10, 2005
"my fiancee and i took our three nephews-11 and 12, from just beside the chatterbox to just.5 miles of the end and back-we loved it and will bike the whole length again soon:)"
North of Cranberry Lake, NJ
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: 200 yds south of Newton-Andover Township Boundary on NE corner of Newton to Frankford Township boundry on SW corner of Branchvill Boro
Counties: Sussex
Trail Length: 20 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Gravel, Ballast, Grass, Dirt, Cinder
Trail Activities: Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6032069