MODERATE TO STRENUOUS (for experienced riders in good condition – longer distance, some hills, many narrow roads with limited sight lines): 18+-mile loop through the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge (see map, above). Rest rooms, water and refreshments available at several stores and other facilities along the route. Signs clearly identify most roads.

Park at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center (EEC) on Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge. Turn left (L) from parking lot onto dirt road, which becomes paved in ¼ mile. Bear L at the bridge, continuing on White Bridge Rd. At mi. 1.3, turn L onto Pleasant Plains Rd., riding 1.6 miles to the Heron Rookery overlook and back (partly on gravel roads). At 2.9 mi., turn L on White Bridge Rd. again. At intersection at mi. 3.4, turn L onto New Vernon Rd. (also known as Long Hill Rd.). At mi. 6.4, turn R onto Pleasantville Rd. At mi. 8.2, turn R onto Miller Rd. At mi. 8.7, turn L onto Woodland Rd. At mi. 9.2, turn L onto Meyersville Rd. At mi. 9.5, turn L onto Green Village Rd,. At mi. 9.6, turn L onto Village Rd. At mi. 11.8, turn R onto Millbrook Rd. At mi. 12, turn L onto Blue Mill Road. At mi. 12.1, proceed straight through traffic light as Blue Mill Rd becomes Lee’s Hill Rd. At mi.15.1, turn L on North Maple Ave. At mi. 17.2, turn left on Lord Stirling Rd. At mi.18.2, return to Environmental Ed Center parking lot. For additional exercise, repeat the loop.

CAUTIONS: Some roads carry heavy traffic, especially during commuting hours. This route is best biked on weekend mornings.

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MODERATE RIDE (for bikers with some experience and conditioning – longer distance than below, but on mostly flat terrain): 5-15 miles depending on side trips, out and back, mostly on lightly traveled roads in the southwestern corner of the watershed. Many points of interest. Rest rooms and water fountains at the EEC and the NWR observation area. Signs clearly identify most roads.

Park at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center (EEC) on Lord Stirling Rd., Basking Ridge (see map, page 9). Turn left (L) from parking lot onto dirt road, which becomes paved in ¼ mile. Bear L at bridge, continuing on White Bridge Rd. At mi.1is the Raptor Trust bird rehabilitation center, open daily, dawn to dusk. At the mi. 1.3 intersection, a 1-mi. (round trip) side trip to the L on Pleasant Plains Rd. leads to the National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) headquarters, open on weekdays. Returning to White Bridge Rd., turn left and proceed 0.5 mi. to another major intersection. Here, there are three alternatives: (1) Turn L onto New Vernon Rd. (also known as Long Hill Rd.) for a 2-mi. (round trip) ride to the NWR wildlife observation area, open daily, dawn to dusk; (2) turn right onto New Vernon Rd. for a 2-mi. (round trip) ride for refreshments at the Meyersville delicatessen; (3) continue straight through the intersection for another 0.5 mi. to the end of White Bridge Rd. and the beginning of a hiking trail. Return via White Bridge Rd. to the Somerset County EEC.

EASY RIDE (suitable for children and other beginning bikers; not shown on map): 1-8 miles out and back, through the Loantaka Brook Reservation, Harding and Chatham Townships; all on bike trails (no car traffic), no big hills; abundant wildlife in streams, pools, meadows and woods; trail markers every 0.2 mi. Rest rooms and water fountains at Kitchell Pond parking lot and South Street parking lot.

Begin at the Kitchell Pond parking lot on Kitchell Rd. (between Spring Valley and Woodland Rds.). Two paved trails begin at the far end of the lot – one of 0.5 mi. to the South St. parking lot, one of 0.8 mi. to Woodland Ave. Across from the Kitchell Pond parking lot entrance, another trail of 1.5 mi. leads to the Loantaka Way parking lot; shortly before this trail reaches the Loantaka Road parking lot, an intersecting trail goes to Woodland Ave. (0.2 mi. to the left) and to the Green Village Post Office (1.8 mi. to the right), crossing Loantaka Road as it does.