Public Programs

General Information
The Conservancy sponsors free, guided hikes nearly every week of the year. These hikes are enjoyed by hundreds of adults and children annually and vary in length and difficulty. Join us and get to know many of the beautiful spots in the reservation. All hikes are appropriate for children 10 and older with their families. Hikes designed for younger children are specifically noted. Steady rain automatically cancels a hike, however, intermittent showers do not. Please bring your own water and bug repellant. Long pants and sturdy shoes are strongly recommended, as well as traction devices during the winter if there is ice and snow. Note that ending times are only estimates and may vary due to the weather or the pace of the group. Call the leader listed in the hike description if you have questions. Once you are registered meet at the starting location at least 10 minutes prior to the start time on the day of the hike.

How to Register
Hikes are posted on Meetup and highlighted under Events on our home page. Please register from Meetup. A few times a year, special members-only hikes are offered. Registration for these events is through Eventbrite. Information on these programs are highlighted in our monthly e-bulletin.

Hike registrations are limited to 25 participants. If you need to cancel, please do so through Meetup.

Mayapple Trail Runs

The 2024 trail runs took place Saturday, May 18th and hosted 179 runners. A complete list of past results and a description of the race is available HERE. If you want to sign up directly, got to ULTRASIGNUP.

This race highlights the exceptional trails of the South Mountain Reservation that the Consevancy maintains. All proceeds support the mission of the Conservancy and the races serve as its largest fundraiser of the year. This an entirely volunteer supported effort, from the race directors to those staffing the aid stations.

This USA Track and Field sanctioned set of races provide an informal but supportive trail race environment for runners who are up to the challenge of completing 5 miles, 10 miles, 20 miles, 50 kilometers (31 miles), or 50 miles. There is also an untimed 1-mile Kids Run.

All races start at the Locust Grove picnic area, 197 Glen Ave., Millburn, NJ. The course consists of a 10.5-mile east loop and a 10.2-mile west loop and a separate 5-mile loop. All routes are through the forested 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation. Following along the valley floor and the two ridges, the course includes long stretches of double-wide gravel roads, technically challenging, meandering single-track hiking trails with roots and rocks, and a short, half-mile stretch of pavement. It is a good combination of level paths, rolling hills, moderate climbs, and a few very steep ascents. The east and west loops together total approximately 3,000 feet of ascent. Aid stations are positioned approximately every five miles on the east and west loops.