Take a hike! Step-by-step guide to hiking trails at or near the Shore

In New Jersey you can hike on beaches, hills and coastal plains.

You can tread through forests. You can trudge around cranberry bogs and swamps.

Some of the following Garden State strolls, treks and adventures are scenic. Some are more challenging.

While this list is not meant to be exhaustive, here are a few ideas for hikes. Happy trails!

Pine Barrens and cranberry bogs

The Pine Barrens, known as Pinelands National Reserve, takes up about 1.1 million acres of South Jersey.

One of which is Double Trouble State Park in Bayville, home to a ghost town that formerly served as a major cranberry operation in the 1800s. The banks of Cedar Creek, running through the park, also served as a source of lumber around this time.

Old buildings can still be seen on the property, as well as swampy areas, bogs and other scenes teeming with historic energy. There are over 8 miles of blazed trails.

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Other great spots to visit are Wells Mills County Park in Waretown, with several, scenic boardwalk-laden trails (the longest is 8.2 miles); and Cattus Island County Park in Toms River, a maritime forest with 7 miles of bayside trails great for birding.

Go: For Double Trouble State Park: 581 Pinewald Keswick Road, Bayville; 732-341-4098, nj.gov. For Wells Mills County Park: 905 Wells Mills Road, Waretown; 609-971-3085, oceancountyparks.org. For Cattus Island County Park: 1170 Cattus Island Blvd., Toms River; 732-270-6960, oceancountyparks.org.

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Beaches, coastal plains and bays

While Cattus Island County Park is a great bayside trail, there are many others, from the northern beaches to southern Ocean County.

Check out Barnegat Lighthouse State Park in Barnegat Light, to either walk a man-made jetty path directly along the Barnegat Bay inlet, or take a leisurely ramble through the 350-yard Maritime Trail.

On the opposite side of Long Beach Island is the Holgate Wilderness Area, a spanning beach facing Atlantic City. Open for hiking Sept. 1 through March 31, it's closed for bird nesting season April 1 to Aug. 31 — but it can still be enjoyed for its views.

Holgate, as well as the Cedar Bonnet Island Trail in Manahawkin at the mouth of the island, are managed by Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. These, among other areas in the state managed by the nonprofit organization dedicated to maritime wildlife conservation, pose plenty of bay- and beach-side hiking opportunities.

Some areas further north are Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park, with eight hiking paths under 1 mile — including the Johnny Allen's Cove Trail with views of the bay and freshwater wetland habitats; as well as Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area. This historic landmark features several trails to explore, all beginning near the visitor center, as well as beaches that are prime for birding.

Go: For Barnegat Lighthouse State Park: 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light; 609-494-2016, nj.gov. For Holgate Wilderness Area: 11 West Lincoln Ave., Long Beach; 609-652-1665, fws.gov. For Cedar Bonnet Island Trail: 1355-1357 Route 72, Manahawkin. For Island Beach State Park: 2401 Central Ave., Seaside Park; 732-793-0506, nj.gov. For Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area: 128 South Hartshorne Drive, Highlands; nps.gov.

Other lakes, rivers and forests

Both Bass River State Forest's Lake Absegami and the 17-acre lake at Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township have hiking trails around them.

If you're looking to hike near a riverside, visit Shark River State Park in Wall, with hikes ranging in difficulty from the challenging 1-mile River's Edge trail to the easy and picturesque Bridge Loop, which is less than a ? mile.

If you're looking for a peaceful walk through nature and history, visit Allaire State Park, also in Wall. A 19th-century iron making town, Allaire Village has views of the Manasquan River winding through the park, wildflowers, plants, wildlife — and nearly 10 trails ranging from 1.3 to 4.6 miles.

Go: For Bass River State Forest: 762 Stage Road, Tuckerton; 609-296-1114, nj.gov. For Turkey Swamp Park: 200 Georgia Road, Freehold Township; 732-462-7286, monmouthcountyparks.com. For Shark River State Park: 1101 Schoolhouse Road, Wall; 732-922-4080, monmouthcountyparks.com. For Allaire State Park: 4265 Atlantic Ave., Wall; 732-938-2371, nj.gov.

Batona Trail

While a good chunk of the Appalachian Trail goes through North Jersey (about 72 miles), we'll call the Batona Trail (short for "back to nature") the Jersey's Shore version.

Starting at the Ong's Hat trailhead in Southampton (Burlington County) and ending at Bass River State Forest, the massive 52-mile trail spans through endless pitch pines, sugar sand and cranberry bogs

All on one trail, you can experience not only Brendan T. Byrne and Bass River State Forest, but also Wharton State Forest and its historic Batsto Village, an ironworks hub from the 1700s.

Due to the length of this monster trail, most people hike it in parts. The trail and areas surrounding it also play host to many local legends, from the Jersey Devil to the story of Ong's Hat. Check out our video above.

Go: Find information on different trailheads and locations at pinelandsalliance.org.

Did we miss some of your favorite hiking spots? Feel free to send any recommendations our way for future articles and adventures.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected]. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore hiking trails offer views, adventure