Home › New Jersey › Verona › Hilltop Reservation
Hilltop Reservation
4.6 ★★★★★ 176 Google reviews · Running trail in Verona, New Jersey · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Hilltop Reservation'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.
County park offering multiple woodland trails & hillside lawns frequented by migrating birds.
What runners say about Hilltop Reservation
“It was very good , with lots of trails that are well maintained.”
“Beautiful park for mountain biking .”
If you like mountain biking, you will love this place. It's like a combination of chimney rock and six mile run. The trails go from easy to moderate. You will love it. I have also jogged and hike the trails as well.
Great place to take a walk, about 2 miles for a round, ups and downs, straight and curved, grassy and forestry, you can see dear wandering on grass eating sometimes, peaceful and calmly.
Bigger than you'd think. Lots of back trails. I would recommend downloading AllTrails for navigation. Trail markers aren't vibrant colors and they can be hard to notice. Some trails get close to peoples' backyards which can be a bit awkward. Not really any sights, but some interesting history as well as deer sightings.
Great place to explore. The hill top is great for a run and for beginner hikers. There's long trails that are down hill or uphill depending on where you start. It used to be a mental hospital, there are remnants that you can see but not the building itself.
Trail conditions & character
“Lovely place with views to take an extended walk.”
“I used Google maps to get there, and it took me to a section of the park that does not have a good parking lot.”
“The hill top is great for a run and for beginner hikers.”
“There is a paved section that was once for vehicle traffic that comes of Fairview Avenue within the fairly new Cedar Grove Park.”
“Follow that road to the hilltop and it then makes a loop.”
Plan your run at Hilltop Reservation
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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
- Websiteessexcountyparks.org
- Social Instagram
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Verona
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
West Essex Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 63 reviews
Woodsy area featuring walking and biking trails, with wildlife sightings.
Cedar Grove Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 336 reviews
Family-friendly park featuring play structures, baseball fields, bocce courts and a farm theme.
Cedar Grove Community Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 213 reviews
Family park featuring soccer fields, baseball diamonds and a community pool.
Verona Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 547 reviews
Lakeside facility featuring a playground, picnic areas and tennis courts, plus paddle boats.
Verona Park Bridge
4.7 ★★★★★ 212 reviews
Scenic park offering running trails, fishing, playgrounds for kids and a lake for paddleboats.
West Essex Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 27 reviews