Pine Trail (Orange)

Dogs Leashed

This is a popular trail system in the pine barrens near the Jersey Shore. You'll always see plenty of hikers as well as horses, trail runners, dog walkers, and mountain bikers.

The Pine Trail is an orange-blazed loop that encircles the Mountain Laurel Trail and Oak Trail on the south side of Allaire State Park. From time to time the three individual trails share the same corridor, so keep your eyes on the blazes. The park is full of unmarked trails, which can get confusing. They are well traveled and appear as well maintained as the official trail. If you get off track, you'll always find your way back.

You'll find the trailhead for the Pine Trail on the west side of the parking lot. After crossing the dirt road, bear left to follow the trail in a clockwise direction.The surface is sandy, primarily packed with beach rock but there are some softer areas. You'll cross many roots early on as you wind around the pine trees.

About a 1.0 mile in, the trail opens up to an old sand pit. You'll find an area of the trail with deep sand to trudge through. From there things smooth out as the terrain rises and falls through stands of trees and thick mountain laurel. As you near mile 2.0, you'll start to find a number of switchbacks.

At the top of a hill, the trail opens up to a large flat area with tall powerline towers. The way down is a steep staircase, once down the trail passes quickly for the next 1.5 miles. The last 0.5 miles has a few punchier ascent and descents with roots mixed in.