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Ash Brook Reservation Hiking Trail
3.3 ★★★☆☆ 42 Google reviews · Running trail in Scotch Plains, New Jersey · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Ash Brook Reservation Hiking Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking trail through a muddy swampy environment with plenty of bugs.
What runners say about Ash Brook Reservation Hiking Trail
“Beautiful trail with many signs along the way introducing indigenous NJ swamp life.”
“It is a very peaceful and quiet refuge close to both the northern Middlesex and southern Union County suburbs.”
Ashbrook IS a SWAMP and also a Reservation, so this trail is great for really DRY or frozen weather. Otherwise, not so much, considering mosquitoes, ticks, poison ivy, and mud, which is why I'd give it a "moderate difficulty level" for safe hiking.
This is a little hidden gem. It's probably best to walk on this trail after there's been some dry weather, because the trail goes through some extremely swampy areas. It's not a long trail, but it might take you a while to work your way through it because you will be looking for footholds a great deal of the time.
it very specifically and hiking trail and not a walking trail. Thank you forrest for teaching me the difference.
We went here in early summer. Very beautiful place. The trails were very narrow and tons of wet muddy land. We saw a turtle along the trail and a ton of insects, squirrels, chipmunks, and dear.
Trail conditions & character
“The trails were very narrow and tons of wet muddy land.”
“Beautiful trail with many signs along the way introducing indigenous NJ swamp life.”
“The trail goes in about a mile with higher elevations at the beginning and end points.”
“The trailhead is directly behind the John H.”
“It is a very peaceful and quiet refuge close to both the northern Middlesex and southern Union County suburbs.”
“The trail is fairly well but minimally maintained, keeping its natural appearance, but there is no boardwalk as seen in other such parks.”
Plan your run at Ash Brook Reservation Hiking Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websiteexploreunioncounty.com
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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