HomeNew JerseyHopewell › Hunterdon County Sourland Mountain Preserve

Hunterdon County Sourland Mountain Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 38 Google reviews · Running trail in Hopewell, New Jersey · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Hunterdon County Sourland Mountain Preserve'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.

Natural surfaceScenicTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Hunterdon County Sourland Mountain Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (38 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Well maintained, beautiful trails.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Limited parking ensures the trails are not crowded.”

Marked trails with different terrains. Mostly dirt and gravel with some light inclines and rocky terrain.

★★★★☆ — Ron , Oct 2023

Well maintained, beautiful trails. A bit wet and muddy. Limited parking ensures the trails are not crowded. Not much elevation change but yellow and white trails require some hopping across rocks to cross streams. Main trail good for people with limited mobility.

★★★★★ — Stephen , Jan 2021

Part of a great network of trails. The main trail looks to be an old macadam road so it is plenty wide and not too wet. If you go on the side trails they take you to great diabase rock formations. Some might be muddy but we didn't think too bad.

★★★★★ — Mark , Apr 2022

Great trails, but too many incidents with unleashed dogs and their oblivious owners.

★★★★★ — April , Mar 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 38 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“rocks trees streams, astonishing view.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“Mostly dirt and gravel with some light inclines and rocky terrain.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Limited parking ensures the trails are not crowded.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

“Limited parking ensures the trails are not crowded.”

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Plan your run at Hunterdon County Sourland Mountain Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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
  • Websiteco.hunterdon.nj.us
  • Phone+1 908-782-1158
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Where to find Hunterdon County Sourland Mountain Preserve

233 Rileyville Rd, Hopewell, NJ 08525

Get directions

Running trails near Hopewell

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Lawrence Preserve

3.5 ★★★★☆ 2 reviews

Hopewell, NJ

under a mile away

Cedar Ridge Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews

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Natural surface

1.9 miles away

Hopewell Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

Hopewell, NJ

LoopShaded

2.7 miles away

Rocky Brook Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 38 reviews

Hopewell, NJ

1.6 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

3.0 miles away

Elks Preserve

4.4 ★★★★☆ 12 reviews

Hopewell, NJ

Natural surface

3.1 miles away

St. Michael's Farm Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 98 reviews

Hopewell, NJ

ScenicDog-friendly

Site of a former orphanage, now serving as a farm & forested park with hiking trails.

3.5 miles away

All running trails in Hopewell, NJ →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.