Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Phillipsburg, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The trail runs about 5 miles so you can get 10mi roundtrip easily. There are a decent amount of hills and descents. I was impressed with the maintenance of the entire trail.
I parked at the Luken’s Park & Powerline Trail trailhead lot which is the park’s smaller lot on Dresher Rd. The lot was gravel. Trail was paved although not completely smooth but not loose gravel either. There was a pump station entering the trail from the lot. There were frequent benches along the path. The trail had a good amount of walkers, joggers, and bikers (mid week) but no problems with having enough room. It runs along mostly private properties/nice homes and some fields. It was scenic. There were multiple quiet intersections that were well maintained, marked, and most with blinking lights to cross. Pretty much every car stopped for me to cross. I had zero issues at all of the intersections.
When I first walked this trail I had no clue of it’s true size, starting from a bridge opening over the canal near New Brunswick I was simply on a walk and wanted to wander, to my surprise the trail simply kept going and going though, I was walking for miles seeing plenty of wondrous nature, enjoying the sound of the water flowing by me, ducks and turtles and all manner of fauna around me. I felt like I had walked into another world sitting just at the edge of the highly populated busy cities, but they remained on the other side of the river, while I was out in nature. Quickly I knew I was up against a titan of a trail compared to the 10 mile long paths I had gotten good at overcoming, but only after I had moved off the path and gone home did I truly realize how little I had seen. I felt a sense of giddy wonder and accomplishment, as well as curiosity. I had seen so much that day, but in truth, I was only scratching the surface. If you live near an entrance to this trail I implore you to give it a try, it’s not ideal for biking, but to see how far you can walk? It may be the best option in the state.
Mostly paved and tree covered. Will try bikes next. Is there a way to track miles covered?
Reviewing for biking. No as long as it says…and you need to cross the streets a few times. Also lacking good signage.
It’s perfect for people who love nature—lots of forest and good trails. I really liked it.
Started the ride at the Sharon Station parking lot. Headed south towards Cream Ridge. Loose gravel and sandy areas may challenge some riders. Road tires might be an issue. Shaded, mostly flat trail. May see some deer.
I'm a senior, just getting back into riding. I wanted to try the "14 mile loop" I have a hybrid bike and completed the loop, but probably wouldn't do it again due to the Great Valley Trail part of the loop. I found Great Valley to be less maintained than the Paulinskill and Sussex branches of the loop. I found the loop grassy and bumpy in the beginning (Augusta Hills Rd) and then the trail narrowed and became more of a single lane trail that was rutted and overgrown with tall vegetation. Had to get off the bike once to carry the bike over a tree. Connecting back up to the Paulinskill branch was a welcome site. Great Valley is certainly doable, but it was the least enjoyable part of the loop.
Being a novice mountain biker, I’d say this trail is a doozy! We bike-hiked for a good portion and then the hubs somersaulted over his handle bars and still we continued, linking up with other trails, until we reached the Cosmic Cafe for hazy IPAs. Goals. We had goals. Needless to say, Cresheim is not for the faint of heart.
I had a great ride. My wife decided not to join me which was a good thing. I took what was supposed to be the easiest sections. They may have been easy for mountain biking, but I was expecting more of a rail trail in those areas. No problem -I had a gravel bike with 44 mm tires which worked fine. Could’ve been a little better marked in some areas, but I did not get lost. I would highly recommend checking out the website for the park, which gives you details on the easiest to the most difficult sections and the mileage between the access areas. Remember, this is not a flat rail trail. There are a lot of flat areas, but there are a lot of twisty turns, short uphill and downhill climbs -as well as bridges. And the terrain is not the smoothest.
Biking around Valley Forge is the best way to visit. You have to take time to stop at various monuments and read everything. This trail has some very steep grades both up and down.
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