Monday, October 26, 2020

Cycling the Columbia Trail in New Jersey



I love Hunterdon Co, NJ. 
There is so much natural beauty in that area and
the Columbia Trail is no exception. 
Columbia Trail is a 15 mile crushed stone rail-trail. 
The trail has end points in both 
Hunterdon and Morris Counties. 
We began at the High Bridge parking area 
and rode half the trail, 
which gave us a 15 mi ride in total. 


It was a beautiful autumn day 
and the trees were just past peak color. 
I can imagine the trail would 
also make a great summer ride 
with the cooling shade of leaf cover. 



Back in 2006 
someone created a gnome home 
along the trail. 
Gnomes have been moving in ever since 
to the point that even they 
get to enjoy our government regulations on homes. 
Yup, they even regulate gnome homes. 
{Insert eye roll}


The gnome homes along the trail 
are mostly toward the High Bridge end 
and make an especially nice attraction 
for children. 


We enjoyed riding along the rocky Raritan River 
and stopping the the small town of Califon. 
Califon has two eateries that were quite popular 
with the cycling crowd. 
One was Rambo's Country Store which retains 
the old country store feel
complete with vintage cash register. 
Today it serves as a butcher shop 
and you can get sandwiches made there. 
Up the hill was sandwich shop 
that had quite a crowd. 


Califon has plenty of historic buildings 
still remaining, 
most from the Victorian Era. 
The historic association is in 
an old train station along the path. 
Main Street is home to the cutest 
little bookshop that made my heart throb. 
There is also a General Store 
just up the hill. 


When you are finished your ride, 
be sure to stop in nearby Clinton 
and see the old mill museum there.

My gallery of images from this trip is here: 


Columbia Trail is at 76 Main St. in High Bridge. 
For more information, visit www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/parks.htm.