What once was host to a constant flurry of freight trains carrying cream, ice and more, now carries weekend wanderers, bikers, hikers and horseback riders. The Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail — a 26-mile stretch across Warren and Sussex counties — is a route full of history, farmland, forest, and surprise.
Growing up with this trail nearby, I had hiked or biked short sections, a few miles here and there. But from a young age, I had a goal in the back of my mind: to complete the entire trail, end-to-end, in one day. On a beautiful, sunny spring morning, with a childhood friend, a bag full of clementines, and little to no training, I set off to conquer the Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail.
Starting Strong in Knowlton
There are many easily accessible trailheads throughout Warren and Sussex counties — sometimes straight off a road. To access a true start point, begin in Newton or Knowlton. There are pros to starting on either end: starting in Newton the trail means a gradual downhill ride, while beginning in Knowlton offers a flat warm-up before the more challenging stretches.
We started in Knowlton, turning off Route 94 onto Brugler Road and crossing an old stone bridge to reach the trailhead. Parking here is easier than Newton. The wide gravel lot gave us space to pack our bags, unload our bikes and tune them up for the journey.
In contrast, we left our return car on a tight shoulder in Newton, squeezed between other vehicles parked by trout season anglers.
Flat Paths and Farm Views
The Knowlton trailhead includes a bike repair station with tune-up tools and a pump — a handy feature also found at the Blairstown-Marksboro trail crossing, about halfway through the trail.
The trail begins as a flat gravel path cutting through expanses of bucolic farmland. The trail is shaded by a tunnel of trees, but the landscape can be seen on both sides, revealing silos, historic farmhouses and rows of crops. Off in the distances is a view of the Appalachian Ridge, watching over it all.
At mile one we reached our first landmark — the Paulinskill Viaduct. More than 100 years old and 115 feet tall, this decommissioned railroad bridge is like a ghost of the trail’s most impressive historical markers.
Pit Stop at the Airport
Around mile five, we heard the buzz of small planes overhead — a sign that Blairstown Airport was near, a great place for a first stop. The trail, briefly paved here, curves alongside the runway and leads to Wings Cafe. It’s a great spot to stretch and fuel after crushing the first few miles — grab some breakfast and watch the small, colorful planes land and take off.
Rolling Through Blairstown
After the airport, the trail follows Lambert Road before meandering into the heart of Blairstown. It intersects with Footbridge Park and tunnels under Route 94, bringing travelers closest to the river so far.
This is a good place to stop for a bathroom break and a snack. The rest of the trail is more remote, winding past private residences and footbridges that cross sparkling streams. Peaceful ivy-covered forests and birdsong give the easy stretch a fairytale feel. This section is well maintained and hosts an even gravel path with some of the most picturesque views of the journey.
The Rougher Miles Begin
Near the Spring Valley Road trailhead in Marksboro, the ride gets more difficult. This trailhead offers another bike station and trail map — a great spot to check your bike and add some air to your tires. There is also historical information at a trail kiosk. It’s the perfect spot to prepare for the path ahead.
This section runs through the Paulinskill Lake community, where beautiful houses and quaint cabins line the river. The views are idyllic and it can be fun encountering riders trotting past on horses, but the trail turns rugged: muddy pools, horse droppings and fallen trees forced us to carry our bikes more frequently than in any other section of the trail.
It was here that I started to feel the elevation gain affecting my quads, as I realized my bike had been stuck in the wrong gear for the first 15 miles! These last 10 miles, when I needed my endurance most, would be spent pedaling through the hardest section of the trail with less energy and strength than I had hoped.
Truss Bridges, Gnomes, and Horse Trails
Still, there were plenty of fun sights along the way. A rusty truss bridge stretched across the river, a remnant of the old railroad. Tiny, brightly painted houses peeked from the rock faces near Gnome Hollow Preserve. Horses grazed along fence-lined pastures, and riders on horseback passed us on the trail (step to the right to allow horses to pass safely).
At about mile 17, the river widens into Paulinskill Lake, and the trail becomes more well-maintained. Here, riders can take in scenic lake views while passing through tall stone outcroppings creating temporary valleys of shade. This was the busiest section, with many locals enjoying a daily walk or ride.
A Cold Beer and the Final Stretch
Only one section of railroad track remains along the trail, leading an old concrete depot building covered in graffiti. Another historical remnant of the local route, this building might have been a station, creamery or ice house and now hosts a rotating exhibition of spray-painted art.
From there, the trail veers east, away from the river and into dense woods. I pedaled the last miles, exhaustion setting in, determined to cross the finish line, crossing Plotts Road and the busy Route 519 — and finally arriving at Angry Erik Brewing, the true destination. At mile 22 we celebrated at the local microbrewery for a well-earned cold beer (including their Paulinskill Ale) with gyros and an enormous pile of fries from a food truck.
Four more miles of wetlands and wooded trail brought us to the final mile marker in Lafayette.
Was It Worth It? Lessons From the Ride
Yes. Anything that pushes you outside your comfort zone, challenges your abilities and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment is definitely worth it.
The Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail showcases some of Northern New Jersey’s best scenery. There were plenty of fun surprises and interesting challenges to solve. My biggest tip? Bring the right bike. This trail is more rugged than other rail trails — it’s mud, water, rocks and roots. An off-road bike or mountain bike with fat tires can make all the difference.
I enjoyed my day spent in rhythm with the Paulinskill River.
This column is part of a trail series by Ridge View Echo’s resident hiking columnist, Olivia Wilinski, who explores and shares routes across Northwest New Jersey.
Olivia Wilinski is an avid outdoorswoman; hiking, climbing, camping, and birding no matter the season. In her free time she can also be found painting, playing instruments, reading books, and crocheting sweaters. She is a strong believer in building community through supporting local businesses and artists, is passionate about the arts, the environment, and sports and looks to highlight these subjects in her writing.
- Olivia Wilinski, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/olivia-wilinski-contributing-writer/
- Olivia Wilinski, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/olivia-wilinski-contributing-writer/
- Olivia Wilinski, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/olivia-wilinski-contributing-writer/
- Olivia Wilinski, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/olivia-wilinski-contributing-writer/
