Discover A Castle With A View On This New Jersey Hike
By Kristen|Published October 14, 2018
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Kristen
Author
Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
New Jersey is home to a host of castles, many of which are magnificent in both appearance and scale. Some of our grandest castles open to the public include Lambert Castle in Paterson, Kip’s Castle in Montclair/Verona, and The Castle at Skylands Manor in Ringwood. However, a castle need not be grandiose to be gorgeous, and we’ve found a charming little castle in the woods that offers a fantastic view!
The castle is actually a monument to The Women's Federation.
It was officially dedicated in 1929 and built to honor the major role the New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs played in preserving the picturesque Palisades Cliffs. Following the Civil War, they were in grave danger of being destroyed by quarrying. In 1894, the New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs joined with other groups to fight for legislation to protect the cliffs; they were successful! In 1900, an interstate park commission was founded to acquire land along the Palisades to preserve the cliffs and shorefront. The federation then helped with fundraising for this project and the cliffs were saved, for all to enjoy.
This castle may be compact, but it's a spectacular symbol of strength and lasting legacy.
You'll have to hike to get here but in the end, you'll be rewarded with beautiful views of the cliffside and Hudson River. You can even climb the stairs to the castle's roof for a one-of-a-kind experience. Bring your camera, because there are plenty of photo-ops.
You'll need to hike to get to the castle but the trails are manageable. Your first option is .3 miles long. There's parking alongside the road and you'll need to cross a bridge. Another choice is parking by the State Line Lookout (great views!) and taking the Long Path to the Forest View Trail. This hike is about .6 miles and would be my pick.
