Hilltop Reservation
Park Overview:
This is a site in transition from the grounds of long-abandoned Essex Mountain Sanatorium into a new, spacious suburban park on Second Watchung Mountain. Accessible from the Lenape Trail as a side trip
Park Description:
Hilltop Reservation is a relatively new nature preserve in one of the most densely populated counties in the United States. It is located on a site that formerly included the grounds of the Essex Mountain Sanatorium, and before that other public service institutions dating back to the mid-1870s. The Sanatorium was established in 1907 to treat tuberculosis patients; the effort was ultimately abandoned in 1977. The current and early 20th century names are revealing, because they draw attention to the fact the Reservation is elevated - namely a site on the Second Watchung Mountain [sometimes mistakenly called "Orange Mountain"]. The Watchung Mountains are a group of three long low ridges of volcanic origin, around 400 to 500 feet high, lying parallel to each other. For additional information, see the Trail Conference's Watchung Region.
The site is in transition since the NJ Department of Environmental Protection dedicated the land for conservation and recreational purposes in 2001. The Hilltop Conservancy, a private not-for-profit organization, has assumed a leading role to revive the site. The Reservation is part of the Essex County Park System.
Physically, Hilltop Reservation has the general shape of an irregular, long rectangle extending northeast from Verona - which is situated in a valley between the First and Second Watchungs -- to Cedar Grove. It parallels Fairview Avenue for much of the way, with smaller sections spreading out into Caldwell and North Caldwell. The Reservation's highest point is 670 feet.
Trails Overview:
The Reservation has eleven relatively short blazed trails ranging from 0.3 mile to 1.8 miles. Perhaps a reflection of its past as a sanatorium, one trail is named "Peace," another "More Peace.' The network of interlacing trails adds up to just short of nine miles, and provides several opportunities to plan loop hikes.
Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map. The map shows blazed trails with colors and symbols. On the ground only symbols mark the trails.
- An easy trail begins at the western entrance in North Caldwell [Mountain Avenue and Courter Lane], near a large sports field. It has an ample parking lot with a formal kiosk displaying a large-scale trail map. Near Courter Lane follow the Arrowhead-blazed trail, its pathway is paved initially and then becomes a woodchip/gravel roadway, finally reverting to pavement at its crest. It provides access to several other trails.
- A more challenging trail starts at the Verona Community Center parking area, at the southwestern end of the park in Verona, near the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Linn Drive [again look for ball fields]. The Old Hilltop Trail [diamond blaze] trailhead begins by the left field line of a baseball diamond and climbs up hill following the general northeast trajectory of the park. Several other trails in the park are intersected; the first is to the left where White Rock Trail [whose blaze resembles a pyramid with its peak lopped off] passes by the intriguingly named "Prisoners Pond," ultimately to rejoin the Old Hilltop Trail further along.
- Two additional parking areas and trailheads are located along Fairview Avenue on the park's eastern side. The 34-mile Lenape Trail, also visible on the trail map, passes by Hilltop Reservation near Verona High School. Plans are someday to reroute this trail through the park.
Click to view a photo album taken during a January hike in the park.
Note: biking is restricted to paved roads within the park.
Park Acreage:
284.16 acresMunicipality:
Verona, Cedar Grove, Caldwell, North CaldwellThis is a site in transition from the grounds of long-abandoned Essex Mountain Sanatorium into a new, spacious suburban park on Second Watchung Mountain. Accessible from the Lenape Trail as a side trip
Hilltop Reservation is a relatively new nature preserve in one of the most densely populated counties in the United States. It is located on a site that formerly included the grounds of the Essex Mountain Sanatorium, and before that other public service institutions dating back to the mid-1870s. The Sanatorium was established in 1907 to treat tuberculosis patients; the effort was ultimately...