In order to hike these trails, a permit from the Regional Water Authority (RWA) is required.
An interpretive trail guide is available from RWA’s Recreation Department that matches the numbered disks posted on the trees along the trail. The Pine Hill System has four trails.
The Peat Swamp Spur Trail (white triangle) is 0.3 miles and connects to the Peat Swamp Loop from the parking lot off Rimmon Road (Route 313). It passes an old Christmas tree plantation on the right at the entrance which contains white spruce, blue spruce, and black spruce. It is a good spot for observing birds, as the blueberry bushes at the far end provide food for many species. There is a brook that runs under the bridge on your way to the main trail loop.
The Peat Swamp Loop (white rectangle) is 2.0 miles. This loop can be accessed by taking the Peat Swamp Spur Trail or choose the longer route by parking at the end of Hemlock Hollow Road and taking the Hemlock Hollow Loop. Either way, the trail has many features include stone walls, relics from past agricultural land use, streams, vernal pools, rocky outcrops, and erratic boulders (large rocks deposited by receding glaciers that do not match the underlying bedrock type).
The Hemlock Hollow Loop (red circle) is 1.0 miles. This trail can be accessed by parking at the end of Hemlock Hollow Road and taking the short Hemlock Hollow Spur trail. The loop crosses several small streams and varied hardwood tree stands, including sugar maple, sassafras, tulip tree, and oak. Like the Peat Swamp Loop, the Hemlock Hollow Loop also has rocky outcrops, erratic boulders, and many stone walls.
The Hemlock Hollow Spur (green triangle) is a short spur trail that connects the parking area off Hemlock Hollow Road to the Hemlock Hollow Loop trail.
Read more at the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) website (Woodbridge).
A permit can be acquired through the RWA recreation website.
Review the RWA Rules and Regulations for the complete list of park rules.
The Pine Hill Trail System is reached off of Rimmon Road (Route 313). Trail parking is an entrance/driveway off Route 313 with a small parking area on the left.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
