New Member, Looking for Beginner Trails

[Mike628]

Hi all, new member here. Also new to cycling in general, purchased my first “real” mountain bike (Cannondale Trail 3) recently and seeking some easy beginner trails in the north NJ area. Any recommendations? Thx you!

 

[mattybfat]

Need where in north Jersey to give better advice
Welcome

 

[Mathers]

Welcome!
Where do you live?

 

[JimN]

Welcome!

Lewis Morris is easiest as there are no rocks, but there is a fair bit of climbing. You'll get in shape pretty quickly riding there regularly.

Tourne is slightly more challenging, maybe. It has a couple of rocks, maybe less overall climbing though.

 

[Mike628]

anything within 20 miles of Paramus area please.

 

[Paul H]

NNJ parks... in general are not known to be the easiest but each park has easier sections
Don't be afraid to visit any park and walk any parts that you are not confident to tackle. There is no shame in hiking a bike.
We all had to start somewhere.

 

[thegock]

You may want to look through the North Jersey trails listed in the regional threads below.

 

[pooriggy]

anything within 20 miles of Paramus area please.

The mall parking lot.

 

[JimN]

anything within 20 miles of Paramus area please.

In that case, you should just have @Paul H show you around High Mountain. It isn't easy, but it's close.

 

[Paul H]

anything within 20 miles of Paramus area please.

High Mountain in Wayne/Haledon would be the closest
Its my local park as well. If you would like a tour.... lmk

 

[MissJR]

welcome!

if you're willing to travel a bit more, i can show you around lewis morris. not easy since there is a bit of climbing, but easier than a lot of the other stuff in north jersey area

 

[Magic]

Welcome new guy!

High Mountain is probably a good bet that's close and not as difficult. I'm up in Mahwah and the only other close stuff we have is Sterling, Ringwood, Jungle, not sure whatelse... but all of those are rocky.

 

[Paul H]

BTW... Saddle River has off road trails and very beginner friendly. Just don't fall into the river!
Your neighbor @I. Victor knows it like the back of his hand.

 

[Magic]

TW... Saddle River has off road trails and very beginner friendly.

Where? Lol. I saw some dirt pump track thing right off the path once.

 

[Paul H]

Where? Lol. I saw some dirt pump track thing right off the path once.

There are no markers but if you look carefully there are trails going off the path and they are all over the place. Some just cuts in and out but other are bit more significant and lengthly.

 

[Victor I]

Where? Lol. I saw some dirt pump track thing right off the path once.

Dude. Really?

 

[Victor I]

Welcome Mike,

Yes, there are beginner friendly trails off the paved Saddle River Dunkerhook bike path. They will probably dry out soon but a little too muddy at this time. Feel free to send me a PM if you want a tour.

 

[Juggernaut]

Welcome

So, you said you’re new to biking in general. Cool! It’s a great sport.

Most of the major parks have fire/access roads which vary in condition from paved to gravel to WTF, this is a road???

Riding those access roads will give you the opportunity to try running into and over rocks, roots, potholes, etc just to get used to the bike moving around under you.

Have fun!

 

[qclabrat]

never been, but how's Emerson?
https://www.trailforks.com/region/emerson/

 

[jmanic]

BTW... Saddle River has off road trails and very beginner friendly

Was thinking exactly this.

never been, but how's Emerson?
https://www.trailforks.com/region/emerson/

I have not checked this yet to weigh in, but there are also the trails on the other side of the reservoir which are completely beginner friendly.