Wildcat Ridge Trail

Wildcat Ridge Trail is a 2-mile point-to-point hike in New Jersey's Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, managed by State Fish and Wildlife. The trail rises from about 939 feet to a high point of 993 feet, with a total elevation gain of 180 feet, and is rated easy. The route is a short outing, and the climb is gentle. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.66 miles in, with a grade of 18 percent. The trail also works for mountain bikers, and the Splitrock Trail (Dk Blue) and the Four Birds Trail both start within a tenth of a mile. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, with July the warmest month at about 83°F. Nearby, the Splitrock Trail and the Four Birds Trail are both within a tenth of a mile. Climbers can head to Hogs Pen, about 2.6 miles away, and paddlers can reach the Rockaway River, about 4.5 miles away.