Round Valley Trail (Hunterdon County)

Trail Map

Interstate 78 (I-78) and U.S. Route 22 are good places to get gas and pick up some snacks before beginning the trail that begins at Round Valley Recreational area. Here you’ll be able to speak to knowledgeable staff and pick up trail maps of the recreational area. From there you will travel a short distance to Cushetunk Mountain Nature Preserve and then on to the fields and old pastures of Cold Brook Reserve. Along the way you might want to stop for amenities along U.S. Route 22 or make a stop in Tewksbury. Next stop is the Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary where you’ll enjoy the variety of trails that run through wooded areas, wetlands and ravines, then traveling west a bit on I-78 a stop at Demotts Pond in Clinton (another great place to eat, find gas or restrooms) for waterfowl may be rewarding. From there we swing south and follow the South Branch River along what is known as South Branch Reservation; a collection of sites that will give you access to the river and its wildlife. Enjoy the riparian habitat of Hunts Mill Park, Melicks Bridge, Landsdown Trail, Capoolong WMA, Pine Hill section and Sunnyside as you drive the final leg of this trail.

The Trail Directions are in the first posting of the forum below.  Please use the forum to enter any comments or feedback regarding this trail. Registration is required.

 
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New Post 4/12/2008 11:06 AM
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Trail Directions 
Modified By Administrator  on 4/12/2008 11:06:51 AM)

To Round Valley Recreation Area

From I-78 West take exit 20a toward Lebanon/Round Valley Rec Area.  Bear to your Right on exit and merge onto CR 639 South/Cokesbury Road. After 0.3 miles turn Right onto U.S. Route 22 West. Continue for 0.7 miles and bear to your Right taking the Round Valley Access Road/Stanton Lebanon Road exit. Continue 1.6 miles to the entrance of the park on the Left hand side.

From I-78 East take exit 18 and merge onto U.S. Route 22 East towards Annandale/Lebanon. After 1.6 miles turn Right onto Round Valley Access Road/Stanton Lebanon Road and proceed 1.6 miles to the entrance of the park on the Left hand side.

To Cushetunk Mountain Nature Preserve

Turn Right onto CR 629/Stanton Lebanon Road and travel 0.8 miles and turn Right to remain on CR 629 (follow signs for boat launch) After 1.3 miles turn Right onto Old Mountain Road and proceed 1.6 miles turning Right, before the railroad tracks into parking area.

To Cold Brook Preserve

When leaving parking area proceed across railroad tracks and stay to your Right to continue on Old Mountain Road. After 0.8 miles turn Left at the stop sign onto Mountain Road and continue 1.0 miles carefully turning Right at the stop sign onto U.S. Route 22 East. After 1.5 miles, turn Left at the traffic light onto CR 523/Oldwick Road and proceed 3.1 miles the road becomes CR 517/ Old Turnpike Road, continue straight. The parking area is 0.6 miles on the Left after passing through town.

To Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary

Turn Right out of parking area and after 1.3 miles turn Right onto Rockaway Road. Porceed a short distance and the turn Right into the first driveway for the parking area. 

To Demott Pond

Turn Left out of driveway and turn Right at the stop sign onto CR 523 South/Oldwick Road  After 0.4 miles turn Right onto the entrance ramp for I-78 West. Continue 8.9 miles and take exit 15 - for Clinton/173 East/Pittstown.  Proceed straight through traffic light onto State Highway 173 West/W. Main Street and continue 0.3 miles turning Right into driveway, stay to your Left and parking for pond is a short distance on the Left

To Hunts Mill Park

Turn Left out of Parking area onto W. Main Street and after 0.3 miles turn Left at the traffic light onto CR 513 North. Proceed 0.5 miles turning Right at the traffic light onto Leigh Street. Continue 0.4 miles, and after passing under I-78, turn Right onto Haver Farm Road. Look for the Park entrance on your Right after 0.3 miles. You will be in a housing development and must look carefully for the sign.

To Melick’s Bridge

Turn Right out of Hunts Mill Park and take your first Left onto Mitchell Lane and turn Right at the stop sign onto Leigh Street which becomes Hamden Road/CR623. After 0.8 miles turn Right to remain on Hamden Road. Melick’s Bridge is 0.2 farther and there is limited roadside parking on either side of the bridge.

To Landsdown Trail Entrance

Continue 0.3 miles on Hamden Road/CR 623 and turn Right onto Lower Landsdown Road. After 0.2 miles find the Trailhead on the Right, running along railroad track. Only limited roadside parking is available. 

To Capoolong Creek WMA

Continue on Lower Landsown Road and take the first Left onto Landsdown Road. The first parking area for Capoolong Creek WMA is less than 0.1 miles on the right across the rail road tracks and across from Sidney School Road. Continue on Landsdown road, after 0.6 miles turn Right at the stop sign onto CR 617/Sydney Road and a quick Left into another parking area. From there you can proceed South on CR 617 a short distance and turn Right onto Lower Kingstown Road. Proceed 1.4 miles on Lower Kingston to the end, directly across the street find another parking area and trail.

To Pine Hill Section

Return to CR 617 /Sidney Road and turn Right. After 1.1 miles, turn left onto Sidney School Road and continue 0.5 miles turning Right onto Pine Hill Road. After 0.4 miles stay to your Left to remain on Pine Hill Road  Proceed 0.3 miles and park on the Right on the shoulder of the road (before Raritan River Bridge). 

To Sunnyside/Awossagame Grove 

Continue across the bridge and the road turns into Camp Buck Road. After 0.2 miles, turn Right at the stop sign onto Hamden Road. At about 0.2 miles you’ll find a parking area on the Left side of road shortly before you pass over bridge. After the bridge Hamden Road becomes River Road. At 1.2 miles Spring Hill Road is on the Right, continue 0.2 miles and turn Left onto Kiceniuk Road. There is no sign but look for the bridge. Cross over the bridge and the parking area is immediately on the Right.

 
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