We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Most Fun Hiking Trail Name in New Jersey

Some people like to live in a fantasy world, but it’s not often that people can see a fantasy world come to life in a tangible way. At the South Mountain Fairy Trail, any latent desire you’ve ever had to explore the home of fairies comes to life as you wander down a wooded path filled with minuscule and intricately detailed cottages. Yes, it seems just as if Tinkerbell herself could come down and inhabit any of the gorgeous homes, and you’re left walking away feeling as if you yourself have been sprinkled with a touch of pixie dust. 

Green and flowering during the spring, sunny and lush amid the summer, full of bright colors throughout the autumn, and starkly beautiful when the snow falls in the winter, the area itself could not be more perfect for housing fairies. Birds sing overhead, dogs (leashed, of course), and children are frequent visitors on the path, no matter what time of year. 

The South Mountain Fairy Trail is a part of the longer Rahway Trail and is marked by white blazes. It starts at the Locust Grove Picnic Area Lot and continues up until the trail intersects with the Sunset Trail. The Rahway Trail continues on and is part of many loops you can venture on to extend your trip. However, although the fairy trail itself is relatively easy and short, with only one steeper part when the trail gets closer to the creek, it is still extremely popular.

It is important to note that because this is a favored trail, parking can be very crowded. Luckily, there are other options for this, but it is still recommended to visit earlier in the day when possible. The area has toilets and picnic tables, and the trails are considered to be reasonably well taken care of, but it is strongly suggested that you stay on the path at all times, as there is poison ivy in the area as well as ground-nesting bees. 

The fairy houses were started by a local artist named Therese Oijway in 2011. She has since moved away, but the houses have become a community project, and now you can build a house of your own and submit it for consideration to add to the collection. If you try to add it without permission, however, it will likely be removed. The houses have been able to stay for as long as they have due to one simple rule: don’t touch them. Pictures are fine and plenty are taken, but respecting the area and the art is paramount. 

The local love of these fairy houses have led to the overall South Mountain Reservation gaining a large chunk of money in 2025, some of which will be used to maintain the fragile and beautiful fairy path, adding benches, a shelter, and protective structures near the river. The rest will be given to the park as a whole to help preserve the area and help fix long-held damages from Hurricane Ida.

So, do you want to take a hike that feels like you're wandering through Disney’s Pixie Hollow? Visit the South Mountain Fairy Trail to experience a magical hike like no other! But, perhaps you feel that there’s a hike in New Jersey that feels more otherworldly? Use our nomination form and tell us all about it!