Red Trail

Red Trail is a short, easy loop hike on Watchung Reservation in New Jersey, about 0.4 miles long and roughly 13 feet of elevation gain. It sits on county land, and the trail is a loop, so you can start and end at the same point. The trail is rated easy, with a gentle climb of about 6% at one point. Bikes and horses are not allowed, so plan on walking. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cranford show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 77°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. Several other short trails lie close by, including the Purple Trail about 0.3 miles away, the Orange Trail about 0.4 miles away and the Yellow Trail about 0.5 miles away. South Mountain Reservation, a climbing area, is about 6 miles off.