The way points of this bicycle route:
confluence of South Branch and North Branch of Raritan River, seen south from this bridge over the North Branch. The South Branch flows from the southwest. The "full" Raritan flows southeast then east past Somerville to Raritan Bay (between Perth Amboy + South Amboy) into the Atlantic Ocean.
. . . start northeast on North Branch River Rd
. . . Right onto high-speed high-traffic route 202 at traffic light, and immediate Left to continue northeast on River Rd
food options on north side of rt 202
. . . bear Right and cross railroad track to continue on River Rd
. . . Right on Station Rd, to its end
(go under rt w22)
. . . Left on rt 28 (northwest)
. . . first Right on Burnt Mills Rd (north) - (long moderate climb)
Caution: open grate bridge (over Lamington River, the "middle" branch of the Raritan River)
Alternate -- for much on dirt-gravel, but shorter + less traffic: instead turn Right on Burnt Mills Rd, first Left on Bunn Rd (dirt) to its end, Right on River Rd (dirt), first Left on Larger Cross Rd (dirt), Right on Lamington Rd (asphalt) to rejoin main route. (not checked by me since 2009)
Alternate -- to avoid dirt roads, see more horse farms, but more distance + lots more motor traffic: instead turn Left on Burnt Mills Rd, to its end; Right on Rattlesnake Bridge Rd, north past entrance-exit for I-78, Right on Lamington Rd / rt 523 east to Far Hills
(underneath Interstate 78)
. . . Right on River Rd (dirt-gravel)
. . . Left on driveway into River Road Park - (turn comes just before road comes to jughandle and high-speed high-traffic rt 202 / 206)
. . . sharp Right onto bike path of Bedminster, up onto bridge across highway
bike path alongside road, underneath highway overpass, to T intersection at North Branch of Raritan River
. . . Left on bike path (north)
. . . continue north on bike path past park and Bedminster municipal buildings
Left on bike path (west) to school
. . . Right across front of school
. . . continue straight north onto narrow sidewalk, to its end
. . . Right on unmarked asphalt street with parking
. . . soon curves Left, north on Elm St, to its end
. . . Right on Main St / rt 202 (high-speed high-traffic road, but reasonable width in this section, as of 2009)
food options at Far Hills
. . . Left on Lake Rd, to its end
(ride alongside quiet lake)
Side trip: for bakery, instead turn Left here onto Willow Av to visit Peapack + Gladstone
Right on Branch Rd
. . . bear Left to continue on Branch Rd to its end - (pass by bridge to private road)
(steeper climb, inclu section around 8%)
. . . Right on Mosle Rd
. . . Left on Union School House Rd, north to its end
. . . Left on Roxiticus Rd / rt 647 (east curves south), later becomes Mendham Rd
. . . Right on St Bernards Rd, west to its end
. . . Right on Old Chester Rd
Alternate -- to avoid possible bad-visibility in midst of steeper climb, but add distance and noisier traffic: instead turn Left on Fox Chase, Right on high-speed high-traffic rt 206 (wide shoulder as of 2009)
steeper climb - includes a section around 8% grade, with a curve with possible bad visibility with overtaking motor traffic
tricky intersection . . . Right on high-speed high-traffic rt 206 north
. . . quick Left (toward Old Chester Rd + Pottersville Rd)
. . . quick Left on Old Chester Rd (going _south_)
. . . quick Right on Pottersville Rd (west+southwest)
. . . sharp Right on Hacklebarney Rd
steep climb -- could have 100 vertical feet steeper than 10% grade - (many riders will prefer to get off and walk their bikes up this one)
. . . Left on Hacklebarney Rd
. . . Right on Old Farmers Rd, west then soon curves north
. . . straight across Parker Rd, continue north on Old Farmers Rd
. . . Left on Valley Brook Rd (southwest)
Next part of loop route "Raritan River Circle" is called "South Branch Raritan River". For more info + links + connections to other routes, see www.roberts-1.com/b/x/nj
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
half of a 71-mile moderately hilly loop around the Raritan River, both its North + South branches -- the most interesting + pretty loop near this long I know in New Jersey on quieter roads without major hills. Lots of riding alongside rivers. Farmland open fields, horses + other animals. Dirt roads, quiet woods, interesting houses. Mostly on quieter roads. For the other half of the loop, search on Bikely.com for [njwsbrr].
For more info + connections with other routes, see www.roberts-1.com/b/x/nj - routeID [njwnbrr].
This section has almost 3 miles on dirt-gravel roads, and 2400 vertical feet of climbing, including four steeper sections of 100-150 vertical feet at 8% steepness grade or more.
For alternate roads + notes + warnings (or for detailed turn-by-turn directions) click on Show, then select Cue Sheet.
This half roughly follows the North Branch of the Raritan River, then crosses its Lamington branch toward the South branch. Starts near Somerville + Raritan, then Far Hills, Bedminster, Gladstone + Peapack, finishing near Chester + Long Valley. This route not checked by me since 2009.
Tagged with: Recreational, Scenic
