This hike loops around the Closter Nature Center. The low-lying trails are often wet, so much of the hike is on puncheons (wooden boardwalks). Along the hike, you'll pass several deer exclosures (black plastic fencing), designed to prevent deer from munching on the vegetation.
From the Nature Center building, where parking is available, walk back to Ruckman Road, turn right and follow the road (heading east) for about 600 feet. Just beyond the driveway to 190 Ruckman Road, you’ll notice a triple red-on-white blaze on a large tree on the north side of the road, adjacent to a sign for the Closter Nature Center. Enter the woods, following the Red Trail, with passes through an area with a dense growth of skunk cabbage on both sides of the trail.
After crossing a stream on a short wooden bridge, turn right onto the Green Trail, which soon crosses Willow Brook on a 
wooden bridge with a handrail. The trail immediately turns sharply left and parallels the brook, following a raised berm.
Soon, you’ll reach a T-intersection with the Blue Trail. The trail to the left will be your return route, but for now, turn right onto the Blue Trail, which proceeds through an area with an understory of ferns. A short distance beyond, you'll reach a fork which marks the start of the loop of the Blue Trail. Bear right to follow the loop in the counterclockwise direction. Then, in another 500 feet, a trail blazed with a black arrow on a white diamond begins on the right, but bear left and continue to follow the Blue Trail. At the next junction, be sure to turn left at a double blue blaze (do not continue ahead, as a diamond-shaped blue blaze would indicate).
With an unpaved road visible just ahead, turn left to continue on the Blue Trail, then again turn left at a double blue blaze. The trail continues on puncheons through an area with abundant skunk cabbage.
After crossing a bridge over a brook, you’ll reach a junction where the Yellow Trail begins on the right. You should turn left to continue on the Blue Trail, which soon recrosses the brook on another wooden bridge and continues along a winding footpath. After passing a deer exclosure on the right, you'll reach the end of the loop. Turn right (following the blaze pointing to "CNC"), briefly retracing your steps along the Blue Trail.
Soon, you’ll come to the end of the Green Trail on the left. Continue ahead on the Blue Trail, recrossing Willow Brook on a wooden bridge. The Red Trail begins on the left, but you should continue on the Blue Trail. Just ahead, the Blue Trail turns right and crosses Smith Brook on a wooden bridge, but you should continue ahead (do not cross the bridge). You're now following the White Trail, which heads south, parallel to Smith Brook (on the right). 
Just before reaching Ruckman Road, turn right onto the Orange Trail, which crosses Smith Brook on a wooden bridge with handrails, then bears right and heads north. It follows puncheons through tall grass, then bears left and crosses a long wooden footbridge, with rustic logs along its sides. The Orange Trail now enters an area with no understory and many large beech trees. Soon, you'll notice a huge fallen tree on the right, with its massive root system facing the trail. The loop of the Orange Trail begins here, and you should continue ahead to follow the loop in the counterclockwise direction. Towards the western end of the loop, you’ll notice several interesting trees with four or five trunks. The Orange Trail now bears left, passing the parking lot of a nearby building on the right, then bears left again and heads east,
When you reach the end of the loop, turn right, retracing your steps along the Orange Trail and recrossing the long bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn right and continue to follow the Orange Trail as it proceeds through the tall grass, recrosses Smith Brook and ends at a T-intersection with the White Trail. Turn right, follow the White Trail a short distance to Ruckman Road, then turn left, follow along the road for 150 feet, and cross the road to reach the parking area where the hike began.
To view a photo collection for this hike, click here.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 06/16/2011 updated/verified on 06/30/2024
This pleasant, level hike loops around the 136-acre Closter Nature Center.
This hike loops around the Closter Nature Center. The low-lying trails are often wet, so much of the hike is on puncheons (wooden boardwalks). Along the hike, you'll pass several deer exclosures (black plastic fencing), designed to prevent deer from munching on the vegetation.
From the Nature Center building, where parking is available, walk back to Ruckman Road, turn right and follow...
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
From Route 9W in Alpine, proceed west on Closter Dock Road for 2.7 miles to Oakland Avenue. Turn right onto Oakland Avenue, which becomes Ruckman Road, and continue for 0.5 mile to the parking lot for the Closter Nature Center, on the right. GPS address: 154 Ruckman Road, Closter, NJ 07624.
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