New Jersey has an incredible variety of hiking trails to choose from, whether you want to stroll along the shore or delve deep into the Pine Barrens. There are trails for all skill levels, offering amazing views and unique bits of history. The hike featured today is a rugged, challenging 12-mile journey (round trip) that’s worth every step. HOWEVER, you can shorten the hike significantly and still see the cemetery, which is just a quick .6 miles down the trail. With an out and back hike, you can make the trip as long or short as you’ll like! Below, I’ll break the hike down by distance and you can design the perfect journey for you. Your hike begins at the southern terminus of the Four Birds Trail (Hibernia, NJ), in Wildcat Ridge WMA and Farny State Park in Morris County. There will be a small dirt lot for parking – look for the white blazes. While we wouldn’t call such a beautiful trail entirely creepy…bats and ghosts may be lurking!

.1 miles - Follow the brown sign with binoculars to the right to check out the bat-viewing platform and Hibernia Mine.
NJHiking.com
The platform features a placard with information about area bats and the mine itself. The mine was part of an iron operation that ran from the 1700s until 1916. After the mine's closure, it became the largest bat hibernaculum in New Jersey, with as many 30,000 bats each winter. Due to an outbreak of White Nose Syndrome, that number is down by over 90 percent.
.6 miles - Look on your right for Hibernia Cemetery off slightly in the distance. (Can you spot the crosses in this photo?)
NJHiking.com
Past the row of crosses, you'll find an array of headstones in various states of dilapidation.
The cemetery is not nearly as spooky as it appears in this photo!
Photo, Author's Own
It's a quiet place, also known as Saint Patrick's Cemetery. It dates back to 1869 and those buried here are mainly miners. According to the website Find A Grave, there are at least 92 memorials and there are several families buried at the site. Perhaps you'll recognize some of the more unique last names...Brislow, Callican, Heslin, Holleran, Tuite, Vernissek, and Zeliska?

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1.6 miles - You'll cross a small stream...
NJHiking.com
Be sure you've got appropriate footwear.
2.5 miles - You'll reach the Hawk Watch spur.
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Head towards the hawk viewing platform for fantastic views and the perfect place to enjoy a snack. Then, head back.
This is where the trail ends for me. I'm more of a moderate hiker, so I'd head back to the lot clocking in at under 6 miles.
NJHiking.com/Google
Of course, you can hike past this point...

For step by step directions to complete this 12-mile lollipop loop trail, visit NJHiking.com. They’ve got a ton of info on New Jersey trails for hikers of all skill levels. Discover amazing hikes all over the state! For some of our favorite short hikes, click here. Remember to always leave trails as you’ve found them…or better! We want to preserve our natural environment and rich history.

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Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, Rockaway, NJ 07866, USA