Stairway to Heaven Trail Reviews

not the longest of hikes but some decent rock scrambling on the way up. very very limited parking so get there early, and if you're looking to commune with the tranquil purity of nature you're in the wrong state: this is Jersey, folks, so in addition to planes overhead expect to encounter fellow hikers who have very small kids and music playing, etc. The view from the top is very nice. Figure a touch over 2 hours round trip; your mileage may vary.

This hike isn't terribly long - by hiking standards -, but it is quite a challenge. They call it a stairway for a reason. It starts with a relatively flat approach from the street across some of the valley that doesn't do much to suggest how intense the hike becomes. You then enter the treeline on a rocky, pretty trail that winds through the forest along the base of the mountain. Then, almost suddenly, the ascent! A zigzag pattern that, in many places, appear to be steps (as I'm sure many have been placed), lead steeply up the face of the mountain. Step after endless step your body aches as you climb; an exhilarating adventure!

The view up the side of the mountain over the valley becomes more and more expansive as you ascend, then as you reach the top the trail breaks left and it brings you around the top of the ridge. Your reward for all you hard efforts is a breathtaking view of the valley surrounded by rolling hills. Time your journey for fall the fall foliage change and you'll be doubly stunned! The one downside is the hike tends to be quite popular, so expect there to be plenty of people about. Either way, this is a truly marvelous hike worth every sweat-drenched moment!

This trail is literally in my backyard. From my house to the top of the Stairway to Heaven Trail is approximately 13 miles. You won't be alone on most of your tour and expect a lot of "tourists" especially on the Boardwalk section of the trail. Unfortunately, over the years, a few newspapers decided to sensationalize this hiking route and people come on nice nights and weekends in droves. Please take your garbage with you when you leave!! Clean up after your dog and yourself!

This is no walk in the park, I've done it several times but prefer easy walking to climbing up rocks. If a friend visits from out of the area, is a good hiker and wants to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT), this is where I take them. Downside is limited parking at the majority of access points to the AT in Vernon. Routes 515 & 94 were recently designated as the Western Highlands Scenic Byway by the State of NJ. Hopefully this will result in some improvements in the future.

Fun hike which lead to an beautiful view at the top of the mountain. Went on a weekday so we had the trail to ourselves. Cool points of rock steps and such. The view at the top is great, with plenty of seating to chill out.

A rewarding hike at the top of NJ. The AT goes through Vernon and this is a trail cut into Pochunk Mountains. The climb is a little challenging for the very casual, out of shape hiker like me. The trail is rocky and the "stairs" are rocks that have been placed on the trail to make the climb easier. It is not like a flight of stairs. It is like a flight of stairs with rocks, dirt, trees, switchbacks, that climb 1000 feet to the top of the mountain leading to an amazing view at Pinwheel's Vista. Follow the white AT blazes from the parking lot to the top. At the huge rock caron, take the final walk on the blue blazes trail to the very top. If you follow the white trail to the very top, the view is minimal, but you can sign the AT register. This hike isn't for small kids. They'd love the beginning of stepping over branches and rocks, but easily tire of the steep climb an hour in. The trail is about 2.5 miles from the parking lot to the top. Plan about 90 minutes one way up for the casual hiker. Less time if you are physically fit. Coming down is a lot faster but be wary of some of the steep spots. Good weather weekends are busy and you'll pass lots of other hikers. Certain times of the year you can meet thru-hikers on the AT. Bring water and bring a celebratory snack for the top. No bathrooms. For a longer walk, there are other sections of the AT nearby.

If you were going to begin on the boardwalk section which is a very popular and very fun place to walk, I highly recommend you bring bug spray. Especially in the summer months, the mosquitoes are quite troublesome.
There are wonderful scenic portions to the hike and the stairway itself while challenging is very manageable. You will get a wonderful view and this trail has something for everyone

The top of this hike has some of the best views of any trail around the area. The steep incline from route 94 entrance is not easy, but the opening at the top makes it worth it. There is also a back entrance on Barrett Road in Barry Lakes, that crosses a river and has the mailbox where you can leave notes and snacks for the long term hikers.

I honestly had no idea where I was going. I may have missed the rock pile. I followed the white markers and was advised by another hiker where I can see the view. It was beautiful, breathtaking, but I'm sure the spot we found to catch the view wasnt the norm. Nevertheless it was beautiful. Will be returning.
We parked on the street on Rt 94 N and headed up the mountain.
Not an easy hike. Prepare with good hiking shoes. We wore sneakers and slipped a few times. A bit scary. Will be prepared next time with hiking shoes and sticks. Being in shape helps. If you have weak ankles or legs, maybe be a bigger challenge. Bring water and a backpack, but most importantly, use the restroom before hand.

This is an awesome hike that has a little bit of everything. I guess you could split this hike into two parts. If you park on 517 you'll walk through some flat lands, boardwalks, a suspension bridge, a slight incline and through a cow pasture. At the end you'll come to Rt 94 parking lot where you'll pick up the trail to head up the mountain and the Stairway to Heaven overlook. So if you don't feel like doing the whole thing park on Rt 94. Otherwise I highly recommend parking on 517 and taking it all in. Parking on 517 is limited, maybe space for 15 cars. I was there on a weekday and it was not crowded at all. But I hear on weekends it gets busy. I can totally see that. The hike up the Stairway can get a bit steep at points. Bring plenty of water. I was there in March and it was cool to see the ski slopes in the distance, even though we were having a nice 70 degree day. The trail is marked very well. Follow the white markings. Near the top you'll see a big pile of rocks that's where the trail splits off to blue markers to the overlooks. It's very easy to spot. There was also a sign nailed to a tree next to the rock pile with "The View" etched into it. Excellent views of the valley. Highly recommend this hike.

Stairway to heaven rocks! This is a very steep adventure. Most of the trail is rock. But getting to the top is worth it. Absolutely beautiful!

The best part is walking through a pasture of beef cattle. Very cool. Walking on boards that are too narrow to allow two people to pass was anything but relaxing. Some of the boards are broken which further adds to the difficulty of this walk. My husband fell off the boards into the mud. So we never finished the hike. So the views might have been amazing.

Couldn't wait to do some hiking after long winter, this trial was perfect choice - not too long but challenging enough. Unforgettable views on top of the mountain while you eat well deserved lunch. There is a drive-in movie theater in nearby Warwick which will take you back in time.

Found it extremely hard to find. Be sure to type in ‘Cuilcagh Mountain’ and not the forum which is a 50 min drive from where you want to go! Once you find it after great difficulty it is soooo worth it! Be sure to pack plenty of water as it is needed! When you reach the top it is worth all the hassle of finding it! Amazing and would recommend it to anyone

We love this hike and do it frequently. They have an easy trail (boardwalk and farm) and a moderate trail (stairway ). There are terrific views along the way. Be prepared with hiking shoes and appropriate clothes. It is a steep incline with a beautiful view at the top.

I was not sure about taking a 5 and 7 year old on the stairway to heaven. They were fine. We made it half way up and turned around mostly due to not being prepared to hike. It was a spur of the moment decision. We will finish it this summer when we are back in the area.

We started at the boardwalk which is flat. It goes through meadows and a cow pasture! Once we started the incline to Stairway to heaven it was all rock. Some parts had rock steps...other times just rocks. The view from the top was stunning. We sat at the top and had our lunch. If you have walking sticks I would recommend using them. We left ours in the car by accident :( This was on our bucket list!

Many small children on the trail when we went. Not a hike for anyone with bad knees, but other then that, I believe anyone else can do it. Very satisfying feeling to be on the top of the mountain....

So much fun! can be a tough walk, so make sure you're in shape! But I promise it's worth it. Almost got lost, but my own fault, oops!

Awesome workout and some geocaches along the way. It was very cloudy so we missed the view, but still had a great time! Don't forget to add a rock to the pile at the top!!

This is a moderately hard trail that is quite steep in some places. Before it had a name (Stairway To Heaven) it was a locally known part of the AT leading up from Vernon to Waywayonda State Park. In the past it was lightly traveled but now it's part of the "Bag an Iconic Trail" scene with the small parking lot on Route 94 at the trailhead totally jammed with cars. Getting to the top will take an hour to hour and a half if you take your time and enjoy the forest with its several lookouts on the way up. Many switchbacks allow for a gradual ascent but again there are some fairly steep parts. Kids 5 or 6 and older can probably make it if you take your time, as can older folks. Wear good hiking shoes with nonslip soles and good ankle support. Many parts of the trail are wet and/or slippery. The view from the top is beautiful especially if you time your visit to make the top at sunset. View faces due West with High Point Monument visible in the distance. Bring water and a snack. There is no reliable potable water on the trail.

A great hike up the mountain, leading to a beautiful view at the top. Can be a busy place on eh weekends , especially when its nice out

This place used to be gorgeous...but now it's incredibly overcrowded no matter what day you go. Litter everywhere, people laying loud music, hard to park. Impossible to keep a safe distance on narrow, steep, rocky trail. Probably a COVID-19 hotspot. Definitely skip it and find somewhere else to hike!

Great 2-3 hr hike...went up to the lookout. All uphill with large stone steps.
Levels out after lookout, continuing on the Appalachian Trail. There is sign in book on a tree for the "real tree hugger backpackers". We met a young couple from Fla who started at the very southern beginning of the trail, and had been out for 3 months already, when we met here in Warwick NY, at the tree. Also signs for a home cooked meal and a swimming pool, free for the real backpackers, who want a break off the trail. There still are hospitable folks out in the world!!

We hike at least once a year...
Switchback trail to to top. Great views of the Vernon Valley... and the ski slopes in Mountain Creek (Great Gorge)...

Can see the High Point monument in Montague, NJ on a clear day and binoculars help.

Somewhat strenuous hike with an amazing view. Gets crowded on the weekends
Best time to go is autumn if you park on Barrett rd you can take the Appalachian trail that way its an easier hike for the little ones

Our decision to hike the "Stairway to Heaven" trail was made because so many people speak about it. My GPS took us to parking on Route 94 in Vernon. This particular area splits the trail from what was to be our intended start. We started hiking and in short time came to the Stairway. We had wanted to start on the "boardwalk" so decided to go back, cross route 94, and continue on that side. We walked a planked area through cow pastures, then through the forest. The trail was nicely manicured and well marked. We crossed through a marshland area, to what I believe was "Canal Road". The trail continued but we decided to go back, not having found the infamous "boardwalk". Afterwards, I spoke to my son and he informed me we should have started at the Route 517 (McAffee Glenwood Road). This is where the "boardwalk" starts. We never made it to "heaven" but did enjoy the walk. The scenery is picturesque, as many wildflowers were still in bloom. We have to go back to actually climb the "Stairway" starting on the "Boardwalk".

About 2 hours drive from Dublin this cuilcagh trail is a must for walking enthusiast like me.a bit boring at the beginning till you get on the wooden track and star to climb up.lovely views at the top not as stunning as snowdonia of Wales and Ben Nevis of Scotland but still worth the trip.parking is £5 but if get there early parking at the cave site is free and a short walk to the beginning of the trail

Unfortunately I didn’t go all the way up! I had the wrong shoes on!! But it’s a great hike-need to be in good shape- definitely will go pack to finish to the top!!!

There is usually plenty of parking along route 94 where the AT crosses the road. Be careful of fast vehicles. The hike begins pretty tame across a couple fields. The trail enters the woods then runs to the south a bit. Once through a boulder field the trail begins to climb. "Annie's Bluff" is a small lookout early in the steep section that is easy to miss. The steep section is a bit more than 1/2 mile. When the tough part is over you'll see an enormous pile of rocks. Keep left here and follow blue blazes a few hundred feet to the Pinwheel Vista. The view is great and there's plenty of room for all the hikers this place attracts.

I have done this hike multiple times. It is a great hike taking you up the mountain to a great lookout area. It is a long hike but worth it. There is a hot dog truck at the bottom by the parking lot.

If you're looking for a spectacular view. This is the place to go during the spring, summer and fall months. Be prepared. Don't hike alone and bring your camera.

My Girlfriend and I have wanted to do this hike for a while now and finally got a chance to do it yesterday. The view from the top was amazing, and we were able to see the High Point monument in the distance. Plenty of places to sit and eat lunch when you are up top.
For starters we did the whole trail and by that I mean we parked on Rt 517 and started on the boardwalk. In my opinion you are better off just parking at the Rt 94 parking lot and heading up the mountain, your not missing much. I GPS tracked our walk from the starting point to the top of the mountain and it was roughly 4 miles one way with an elevation gain of 1007'. Not doing the boardwalk portion would easily cut almost 2 miles out which would save your legs for scrambling up the mountain. It was a beautiful view from the top, well worth the hike. Not as good as Mt. Tammany on the NJ/PA border or Breakneck Ridge in NY state but still a great hike nonetheless.

Worth the view, but getting there was very very difficult. And we do hike. At some sections we were literally climbing, hanging on with our bare hands. It was tough to tough for us, but if you are a climber, not just a hiker try it. It is a beautiful view from the top.

love this hike! stairway to heaven is the uphill hike starting from the parking space, the flatter hike through the cow pasture is referred to as the boardwalk. They can be hiked any season. picture 18 is not from these hikes. They are both part of the Appalachian trail.

It's several miles long (maybe just under 7 round trip) but once you get to the top the views are spectacular. You're literally up there with the hawks. Much of the terrain is rocky and can be very challenging so if you have gait or balance issues, use caution. The suspension bridge and boardwalk are fun spots for great pictures. Parking is said to be tough but we found a spot right away; however, a few hours later when we got to the car there wasn't a spot in sight. A great afternoon for us.

The trail, a moderate ascent, climbs a couple of hundred feet with a gorgeous view of the valley below. Pack a lunch and eat where the outcroppings are. Stunning. May be slippery when the trail is wet.

Great hike to the top of the Vernon Mountain Ridge. The views are spectacular and on a clear day you can see the High Point Monument and the "Gunks" to the North. Bring plenty of water and a good sturdy pair of hiking boots, this is no "flip flop" hike. This place gets very crowed and the parking is limited. Cars will be towed when they are causing a problem on Rt. 94. Get here early. The walk up is tough, but the walk down can be very strenuous. This is one of NJ best trails. While here stop in Vernon for some great food at Peasonos Pizza Restaurant.

First part ofl trail starting on Route 517 consists of a flat boardwalk nature walk through grass fields, light woods trail, over streams and a cow farm. Second part, east of Route 94 climbs the mountain and is a good workout to the peak that offers a nice view toward Pennsylvania. No amenities along trails so bring drinks and snacks accordingly.

I climbed the trail for the 1st time a few years ago with my daughter. It was a tough climb going up but very peaceful. Once reaching the top, I was awestruck! You can see all of Vernon, into PA as well as NY from the summit. There are people who bring their dogs with them so no need to leave Fido home. It is a can't miss when you visit Vernon!

Tough hike. Once at top it was nice but I have seen better. Lots of people take the hike. Had a hard time finding the place though. Lots of rocks and pretty steep in some places. But I enjoyed it

I would do it again, but be aware: the cops were to the right in the bamboo forest, so I think we needed to go left. It was cold at the top so bring a jacket. We were up there for about two hours before it finally cleared - the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. We have a court date in June and am looking for a good lawyer, so if you know anyone please let me know. I'm a little worried because I want to move to Hawaii eventually, so if the lawyer is expensive that's fine - I just don't want something on my record. It was too windy for my drone, so maybe check the forecast so you don't carry a big bag up for nothing lol. THE #1 HIKE OF MY LIFE!!! I guess we will be here in June for round #2 but I may try Moanalua (sp*) Valley Trail next time. It looked too wet when we were there and everyone coming up said they would not go down the backway - which is understandable because they were covered in mud, but I think on a dry day it would be doable and I would do anything to see that glorious place again.

This landscape is incredible! If you don't like the height of the stairs, you could always go in through Barrett Rd. Just follow the white markings on the trees and be sure to leave a message from the notebook left in the mailbox along that route too!

A walk up the Vernon Steps (well marked entrance along Rte 94 N headed towards Warwick) requires serious prep time for those older than the teens who seem able to make the climb in flip flops. As a senior, I look forward to the challenge, which is part of the AT. Some through hikers tell me that it's one of the more challenging days of walk in the northern part of the trail. I usually like to go one way - either up the trail from 94 and then across to Barrett Rd, where someone can pick me up, or the reverse. Either way it's about 2 hours of hiking - an hour up the steps and then another hour along dense woods with ups, downs, and creeks to cross.
Finally, the view from the top of the steps is simply fabuklous! Pack a lunch and picnic there.

My husband and I hiked to the top of the mountain. It was very beautiful and well worth it. Just take care to watch out for the rocks. Tough on the knees and ankles. We will be bringing a walking stick next time.

Combination of easy and moderate hike. Goes through marsh, saw a snake. The view at the top is amazing.

Took the white trail all the way up to the top - but anti-climatic, lol, bc the view was obstructed. veer off the white trail at the huge stone pile with the tiny wood sign that says 'View' and a few steps away is a stunning view of the area. Did this trail with my husband and 2 children - ages 8 and 11. Took about an 1hr 15 min due to lots of stops for the kids. they didn't complain though! was concerned about bears, but saw about 6 groups on a monday afternoon going up and down so that was comforting ;) locals say they haven't heard of problem with bears but you are traveling though the forest up the mountain! Another local cautioned about snakes and mosquitoes but although there were bugs, we saw neither

Designed for families who enjoy hiking, great views and some exercise. Once up near the top looking back to the valley below and mounters off in the distance. Enjoyable!

Beautiful natural views of nature at its best. Peaceful and an activity for most of the family. Love the views.

There are two types of hikes you can do for this trail, you can do the longer one that’s about 7+miles and is pretty much flat or you can do the 2+miles, that’s the challenging one. There’s a lot of climbing, but is not hard. Once you make it to The View that’s where you’ll see a beautiful view of NJ.

Hiked the Stairway to Heaven for the first time. I am not a regular hiker but consistently work out and love power walking. The trail is very rocky and steep in sections requiring me to grab nearby tree to steady myself. There were also lots of fallen leaves so little slippery at times. Be sure to wear hiking boots or sneakers with good traction on them and bring water.
We walked right past big pile of rocks which was landmark leading to Pinwheel vista. If you reach the mailbox on tree you have gone too far.
Ate our lunch on the rocks enjoying the spectacular view.
We hiked at fairly quick pace so took about hour and 10 up and 45 minutes down.

i definitely recommend this Hike. The view was amazing. make sure you have the right shoes on because you will need it.

When we went, there were a couple of fallen trees that we had to climb over on the trail. We didn't mind that too much since it added some challenges. However, there was also some flooding on the broad walk past the cows and we eventually gave up and turned back.

The rocky staircase climb wasn't too difficult and the view from the top was great. Worth the day trip.

This is by far the greatest hike I’ve been on in NJ! Ive done the whole hike to the top of the mountain once! The regular path, basically half the hike is a regular trail with no major inclines, After you pass the cow pasture you hit the major inclines start. I’ve done the full hike once, and then half the hike once. Love going here in the summer or winter(with no snow).

We accidentally went on the wrong side of the highway and hiked the relatively flat part (starting at the cow pasture), but that ended up being really nice. In and out is about 5-6 miles. When we realized it was not the stairway to heaven side, we kept doing because it was very scenic.

When we got back to our parked car, we realized we had parked right at the entrance on the stairway to Heaven side, but other hikers who were coming down said it was another 6 miles (in and out) and more strenuous, so we decided against it.

After the hike (whatever one you do!) go to the farmers market about 7 mins away- so much fun! Music, food, beer garden. It’s not dog friendly, so beware if you end up bringing you dog on the hike (which is dog friendly).

the trail can be challenging as it is going up the side of a mountain, but well worth the trip, awesome views at the top.

After figuring out where the heck to park, this is a beautiful trail. Nothing rigorous as far as hiking goes as it's a boardwalk created part of the trail. Only a small section doesn't have the boardwalk. We walked to the bridge and back. Really peaceful, nice scenery, good hike. Def. recommend for a very casual hiker or a family.

We started at on the Appalachian Trail Boardwalk (adds some steps onto your hike but well worth it). Once you cross over the railroad tracks and walk through the field of cows you arrive at the entrance to Stairway to Heaven - I would agree with whoever named this, kinda felt like I might go to heaven after climbing this mountain. The terrain is rocky, as in all rocks...big rocks, little rocks, rock steps, rock piles. The view once you get to the top is worth it so hang in there if you're feeling it like we were.

Part of the Appalachian Trail as it passes through Vernon up towards Wawayanda State Park. This trail is accessible from the bottom (RT 94) or the top in a local negihborhood. It offers outstanding views as well as some nice brooks to cool off in!

I made the climb with my daughter. We're both in reasonable shape, but we could both use a lot more exercise. We made it to the top of the mountain and took a picture on Pinwheel. We had a great sense of accomplishment because we're not avid hikers, and I hope this review convinces others to do so as well.

Don't forget the bug spray. :)

As with much of the AT, you’ll be on a short segment of level, well travelled trail, and immediately you’re boulder hopping, going straight uphill. Stairway is just that. Parking on NJ 94 is easy and room for 12-14 vehicles. Immediate sign- “Rattlesnakes & Copperheads”. We had a gorgeous 74F day- never spotted one. There are plenty of rocks, crevices & hideouts for them. tapping our hiking poles may have warned them off. Pinwheel Vista is great! travel 0.2 miles on level trail, then 1.1 miles straight up. Well maintained blazes keep you heading appropriately on trail. We are completing a segment in all 13 states of the AT, this is Jersey. Warwick, NY @ 14 mile northbound Rte 94, has great restaurants & fuel.

We cut it down to just the last part of the trail from the road up, so we missed the boardwalk. (And a few miles). Pretty steep climb and a section that are like a staircase. Lots of places to just recline and relax enjoying one of the best views in NJ!