Sussex Branch Trail

The Sussex Branch Trail is a rail trail in New Jersey, United States, with a total length of 20 miles (32 km).[1]

Sussex Branch Trail
Junction between the Paulinskill Valley and Sussex Branch trails
Length20 mi (32 km)
LocationSussex County, New Jersey
TrailheadsBryam Township @ Waterloo Road
Branchville Borough
UseHiking, Mountain cycling
DifficultyEasy
SeasonYear round
SurfaceGravel, Ballast, Grass, Dirt, Cinder
Right of waySussex Branch of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad

The Sussex Branch Trail follows a portion of the Sussex Branch line of the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad (and predecessor Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad that traverses through Sussex County from Allamuchy Mountain State Park in Byram Township to Branchville.[2] New Jersey acquired the right-of-way for the trail in two transactions during 1979 and 1982.[2]

The trail transects swamps, lakes, fields and several small communities. There are many features of the trail's former life as a railroad, including cuts through bedrock, underpasses for farm equipment and bridges crossing the Pequest River and Paulinskill River. It goes under the Pequest Fill south of Andover. The cinder base of the trail is suitable for hiking, horseback riding, biking and cross-country skiing. The Sussex Branch Trail also crosses through Kittatinny Valley State Park.[3]

The Sussex Branch Trail intersects the Paulinskill Valley Trail at Warbasse Junction[1] just north of Newton[4] as well as the 3.5-mile Great Valley Rail Trail in Augusta, south of Branchville, New Jersey.[5][6]

  • Overpass for the Morris and Sussex Turnpike
    Overpass for the Morris and Sussex Turnpike
  • Underpass for the Pequest Fill
    Underpass for the Pequest Fill
  • Bedrock cut, the "Slate Cut"
    Bedrock cut, the "Slate Cut"

References
  1. Rutan, Dave. "Remember the Sussex Branch". Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  2. "Paulinskill & Sussex Branch Trails". Retrieved 2011-04-06.
  3. "Kittatinny Valley State Park". Retrieved 2011-04-06.
  4. "Kittatinny Valley State Park and Paulinskill Valley Trail". njskylands.com. Guest Services, Inc. 1998. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  5. "RailTrail System - Great Valley Loop" (PDF). County of Sussex. Sussex County, NJ. Retrieved 8 August 2021. This map was created using data developed by Sussex County, NJDOT, and NJDEP.
  6. "Birding & Wild Life Trails". www.njwildlifetrails.org. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
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