BERGEN COUNTY — Looking for a change of pace in your walking routine? As summer quickly approaches, consider exploring these lesser-traveled walkways in Bergen County for their unique sites, sounds and possibly wildlife.
Celery Farm, Allendale
Location: Franklin Turnpike at Allison Court.
Overview: The nation’s first municipally owned wetlands were created in 1981 from a 60-acre former celery farm and have since been expanded to a 107-acre preserve. A mile-long walking trail around Lake Appert features four elevated bird-watching stations for glimpses of an estimated 200 species, including herons, the endangered peregrine falcon and bald eagle.
Allendale’s Celery Farm looking north across Lake Appert.
Closter Nature Center, Closter
Location: 154 Ruckman Road.
Overview: The 136-acre preserve includes two ponds for waterfowl and an extensive beech forest sheltering white-tailed deer and gray squirrels. An upland forest area features an extensive understory of ferns.
Artesian Fields County Park, Elmwood Park
Location: 211 Mola Boulevard
Overview: The 40-acre park features nature walking paths through mostly untouched forest and sports fields.
Artesian Fields County Park in Elmwood Park.
G. Thomas Donch Nature Preserve, Franklin Lakes
Location: 1 Nature Preserve Way (entrance at 1196 High Mountain Road, North Haledon, temporarily closed)
Overview: The 147-acre preserve includes the former Haledon Reservoir with a 2.3-mile trail system connecting to 11.2 miles of trails at the High Mountain Park Preserve in Wayne.
G.Thomas Donch Nature Preserve in Franklin Lakes includes the former Haledon Reservoir.
Borg’s Woods Nature Preserve, Hackensack
Location: Allen Street and Fairmount Avenue
Overview: The 15-acre park includes a half-mile walking trail loop under a forested canopy, wetland vegetation and a series of simple trails. There is no formal parking lot.
Borg’s Woods Nature Preserve in Hackensack.
Richard W. DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst
Location: 1 DeKorte Park
Overview: The 400-acre park is located within the New Jersey Meadowlands. It includes a 209-acre natural area with restored wetlands and 3.5 miles of walking paths. The park also features a World Trade Center Memorial Grove.
A park-goer sits on a bench in front of Kingsland Creek, part of Richard DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst.
Great Oak Park, Oakland
Location: 23 Doty Road
Overview: The 40-acre site was once a farm before it split into two adjacent amusement parks that closed in 1985. The borough purchased the property in 2010, and its reclamation by volunteers is an ongoing project. Walking trails, a fenced dog park and a great lawn and performance pavilion have been cleared so far.
There is a great oak in Oakland’s Great Oak Park.
Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Teaneck
Location: 20 Puffin Way
Overview: Part of the Overpeck County Park system, the conservancy has 1.3 miles of groomed trails for birdwatchers, nature lovers and those just looking to spend a nice day admiring the area’s natural beauty.
Teaneck Creek Conservancy.
Pascack Brook, Westwood
Location: 150 Emerson Road
Overview: The 79-acre property offers a combination of active recreation with tranquil walking paths.
Pascack Brook in Westwood.
James A. McFaul Environmental Center, Wyckoff
Location: 150 Crescent Ave.
Overview: The 81-acre wildlife sanctuary features a nature center surrounded by a waterfowl pond, bird shelters, a boardwalk, and a nature trail. A variety of gardens include flowering trees, rhododendrons, ornamental grasses, a herb garden, a scented garden and the Daffodil Hill
James McFaul Center in Wyckoff.
BONUS PATH: Bergen County offers many other walking and biking trails, including the Saddle River County Park Bike Path, good for both. The path runs from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park and features lots of ponds and scenery along the way. For more information on paths or activities, visit https://bergencountynj.gov/.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Walking paths in Bergen County to get more steps in your day