Castle Loop Trail

Castle Loop Trail is a 2.6-mile loop in New Jersey, about 1.5 miles from the town of Wanaque-Midvale. The trail rises from a low point of 545 feet to a high of 880 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 2.3 miles in, where the grade reaches nearly 49%. The climb is moderate, and the trail is open to bikes. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Wanaque Raymond Dam show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 76°F, though that station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The trail sits close to several other routes. Wanaque Ridge Trail and Cannonball Trail are each within a quarter mile, and the Wanaque Ridge Spur Trail is about 0.3 miles away. Paddlers can reach the Wanaque River about 1.7 miles off.