Hawkwatch Overlook–Meriden Trail (Red), 3 sights is a 2.3-mile out-and-back in Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area near Beach Glen, NJ. The route reaches Hawkwatch Overlook at the turnaround, 1.1 miles in. It climbs 469 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi538 – 1,027 ft · steepest grade: 24%2.4 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Meriden Trail (Red) 40.93601, -74.47252
Nearest town Beach Glen, NJ
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Hawkwatch Overlook–Meriden Trail (Red), 3 sights
2.3 mi · ▲ 469 ft · 1 hr
Elevation 538–1,028 ft
Out & Back · Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area
Trailhead: Meriden Trail (Red) · 40.93601, -74.47252
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:29 AM · sunset 7:26 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Meriden Trail (Red), heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto Beach Glen Trail (Blue) / Meriden Trail (Red), heading NW.
- 450 ftTurn right onto Meriden Trail, heading NW.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Four Birds Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Hibernia Brook Trail, heading E.
- 450 ftReach Hawkwatch Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 450 ftTurn left onto Four Birds Trail, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Meriden Trail, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Beach Glen Trail (Blue) / Meriden Trail (Red), heading S.
- 450 ftTurn right onto Meriden Trail (Red), heading SE.
- 0.5 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
100% dirt
Weather
Sunrise 6:29 AMSunset 7:26 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~40 min). Leave by 6:26 PM for the 7:26 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Meriden Trail (Red) Trailhead
- Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Viewpoint–Meriden Trail (Red), 3 sights 3.9 mi · ▲ 747 ft
- Beaver Pond–Meriden Trail (Red), 3 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 854 ft
- Beach Glen Trail (Blue)–Meriden Trail (Red), 3 sights 4.2 mi · ▲ 317 ft
- Splitrock Trail (Dk Blue) Viewpoint–Meriden Trail (Red), 3 sights 4.4 mi · ▲ 1,000 ft
- Beach Glen Mine–Beach Glen Trail (Blue), 6 sights 4.4 mi · ▲ 689 ft
- Darlington Drive–Hibernia Brook Trail, 4 sights 4.5 mi · ▲ 692 ft
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