Abram S. Hewitt State Forest
Ernest Walter/Bearfort Ridge Viewpoint–Surprise Lake Loop, 8 sights
5.8 mi · ▲ 947 ft · 2 hr 24 min
Ernest Walter/Bearfort Ridge Viewpoint–Surprise Lake Loop, 8 sights is a 5.8-mile loop in Abram S. Hewitt State Forest near Browns, NJ. The route passes Woodruff Gap, Ernest Walter/Bearfort Ridge Viewpoint, Ernest Walter Viewpoint and 2 more. It climbs 947 ft, with sections as steep as 29% grade. It scores 54/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Ernest Walter/Bearfort Ridge Viewpoint–Surprise Lake Loop, 8 sights
5.8 mi · ▲ 947 ft · 2 hr 24 min
Elevation 766–1,393 ft
Loop · Abram S. Hewitt State Forest
Trailhead: Bearfort Ridge Connector · 41.15745, -74.36713
Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:22 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 791 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Bearfort Ridge Connector, heading NW.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Bearfort Ridge Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftPass Woodruff Gap.
- 2 miPass Ernest Walter/Bearfort Ridge Viewpoint.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Ernest Walter Trail, heading NW.
- 0.1 miPass Ernest Walter Viewpoint.
- 50 ftPass West Pond.
- 50 ftSharp right onto yellow, heading SE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Ernest Walter Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Ernest Walter/Bearfort Ridge Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 miPass Surprise Lake.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Bearfort Ridge Trail, heading NE.
- 2.8 miSharp left onto Bearfort Ridge Connector, heading W.
- 0.2 miThe loop closes back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 791 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Bearfort Ridge Connector Trailhead
- Ernest Walter/Bearfort Ridge Viewpoint–Woodruff Gap, 3 sights 4.4 mi · ▲ 835 ft
- Bearfort Mountain–Terrace Pond, 5 sights 4.9 mi · ▲ 895 ft
- Ernest Walter Viewpoint–Surprise Lake, 8 sights 6.7 mi · ▲ 1,096 ft
- Prospect Rock–Woodruff Gap, 6 sights 9.4 mi · ▲ 1,419 ft
- Woodruff Gap–West Pond, 5 sights 12.7 mi · ▲ 1,776 ft
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