AT Observation Platform–Appalachian Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints is a 3.5-mile out-and-back in High Point State Park near Colesville, NJ. The route passes Appalachian Viewpoint, AT Observation Platform, Lake Marcia and High Point Beach before reaching High Point Beach at the turnaround, 1.6 miles in. It climbs 408 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 24/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
0 mi1,490 – 1,696 ft · steepest grade: 18%3.9 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Appalachian Trail 41.30519, -74.67035
Nearest town Colesville, NJ
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
AT Observation Platform–Appalachian Viewpoint, 4 viewpoints
3.5 mi · ▲ 408 ft · 1 hr 22 min
Elevation 1,488–1,696 ft
Out & Back · High Point State Park
Trailhead: Appalachian Trail · 41.30519, -74.67035
Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:32 AM · sunset 7:24 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Appalachian Trail, heading NE.
- 1 miPass Appalachian Viewpoint.
- 50 ftPass AT Observation Platform.
- 50 ftPass Lake Marcia.
- 50 ftPass High Point Beach.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Monument Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.1 miPass High Point Beach.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 150 ftReach AT Observation Platform, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 500 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Appalachian Trail, heading SE.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading E.
- 0.9 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
62% dirt38% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:32 AMSunset 7:24 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~39 min). Leave by 6:24 PM for the 7:24 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Appalachian Trail Trailhead
- Blue Dot Viewpoint & Appalachian Viewpoint via Appalachian Trail 1.7 mi · ▲ 119 ft
- Sawmill Pond via Mashipacong Trail 2.4 mi · ▲ 251 ft
- Mashipacong Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 280 ft
- Fuller Trail–Fuller/Life Trail, 3 sights 5.1 mi · ▲ 337 ft
- Blue Dot Viewpoint–Appalachian Viewpoint, 7 sights 14.3 mi · ▲ 1,920 ft
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Hikes near Colesville, New Jersey