Moderate, 7.7 mi out and back, or nature walk

1,302 ft elevation gain

8/24/25

Flickr Album

Named after the song by famed Jersey rockers, the Stairway to Heaven section of the Appalachian Trail begins with an easy boardwalk through marshland, across a wooden suspension bridge, and then up along a stairwell built among a bolder field. A great hike complete, either section could be standalone.

The boardwalk snakes its way out of the trees and into the reeds in the early wetland section of the hike. Still more of a nature path at this point, this area would be great for birding.

A wooden pedestrian suspension bridge, which seemed way over-engineered for the body of water that it crossed, but was still super cool.

The expansive view from the scenic area up top, with a variety of farm and forest land spreading out under partly cloudy skies.

  • Pencilnoob@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    3 days ago

    Right by the bridge a few years ago there was a farm you could camp for a few bucks. A very affectionate donkey would sniff over your shoulder for treats

  • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
    5·
    3 days ago

    Oh definitely putting this on my hiking list. Me and the wife want to go back to the Appalachian mountains. Didn’t know they went all the way into New Jersey. But will put this on the list of stops.

    • everydayhiker@lemmy.worldOP
      5·
      3 days ago

      Its a fun one for sure, and a good mix of sights along the way. Stairs get your heart going, but its very forgiving. I’d imagine if you can get the fall leaves change, the view up top would be fantastic (also probably for sunset).

    • falidorn@lemmy.world
      2·
      3 days ago

      Technically they go from Florida into Canada but the trail is ~2.2k miles from Georgia to Maine.

  • Doubleohdonut@lemmy.ca
    2·
    2 days ago

    This looks gorgeous, but did you just say that Led Zeppelin are famed Jersey rockers? Weren’t they from London?

    • everydayhiker@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      1 day ago

      Haha, yeah I had a joke setup in my head that never quite played out. You know famous jersey rockers Def Leppard,

      More than a feeling,

      I keep believin’

      As I climb the stairway to heaven

      Doo doo di 🎶

  • falidorn@lemmy.world
    3·
    3 days ago

    Did you start from the north? I remember a bird reserve marshland before it but I was headed north.

    Taken in 2012

    • everydayhiker@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      1 day ago

      I was headed north as well, so yeah hit the boardwalk/marsh first, then the bridge (although that bridge pic is actually on the return) before the stairway and returning.