Ravine Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Wildflowers

There are two parking lots serving the Preserve. One is to the left off Fiddler's Creek Road, about a half a mile from NJ RT 29. Parking is adjacent to the northwest gate of the meadow. The other is on the right at the Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain about a quarter mile from NJ RT 29. The Stiles Preserve is directly across Fiddler's Creek Rd from the Fiddler's Creek Preserve. Just follow the signs from the parking lot to the Fiddlers Creek Preserve. You'll enter the preserve on the Overlook Trail (blue blaze).

The Ravine Trail (red blazes) branches off the preserves Overlook Trail almost immediately upon entering a fenced meadow in the center of the preserve, through the southwest gate. The area is an old agricultural field that is being restored to forest. The fences are to keep deer out to allow for the new growth to take hold.

The trail follows the fence line northeast crossing the Overlook Trail again at the northwest gate, then follows the fence to the northeast gate, where it exits the meadow and drops down into the Fiddlers Creek Ravine. Within the fenced area the trail is a mowed road-sized path. Once out of the area, it becomes a narrow track. Almost immediately after reaching the bottom of the ravine, the Fiddlers Creek Preserve South Bank Trail (yellow blazes) branches off and crosses the creek via a rock crossing. The Ravine Trail continues southwest through the creek's flood plain. Roughly a quarter mile past the South Bank Trail, the Ravine Trail make a 180 degree loop doubling back on itself as it climbs up out of the ravine. The trail ends near the southeast meadow gate connecting to the Overlook Trail.

The meadow portion of this trail is an extremely easy hike. The ravine portion a more typical trail through open woods. The trail makes for an enjoyable short hike.

The Fiddler's Creek Preserve is comprised of mature upland forest along Fiddler's Creek, meadow, and second growth forest.