New Jersey · Hiking

Meriden

0.60-mile out-and-back trail in New Jersey with 35 ft elevation gain.

Photo: syvwlch, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

0.6 mi
round trip: 230 ft
climb: 685 ft
high point: Out and back
route

Best time to visit Meriden

Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

Jan
36° / 19°
11 wet
Feb
39° / 19°
9 wet
Mar
47° / 27°
11 wet
Apr
59° / 38°
11 wet
May
70° / 48°
11 wet
Jun
78° / 57°
11 wet
Jul
83° / 61°
10 wet
Aug
81° / 59°
9 wet
Sep
75° / 52°
8 wet
Oct
63° / 41°
9 wet
Nov
51° / 32°
8 wet
Dec
41° / 25°
10 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Charlotteburg Rsvr, NJ, 6.5 mi away at 778 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Meriden is a short, easy hike in New Jersey's Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, managed by State Fish and Wildlife. The route is about 1.2 miles long, with a total climb of 230 feet and a high point of 685 feet. It's an out-and-back, and the steepest stretch comes at about half a mile in, with a 7% grade. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, with September seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several other trails sit about 0.4 miles away, including Flyway Spur, Hibernia Brook Trail and Meriden Trail. Climbers can find Hogs Pen about 1.3 miles off.