Hillspur Trail, Zoo Loop and Reservoir Trail is a 5.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Maplewood, New Jersey that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.A gentle five-miler that makes a fun loop of most of the north eastern section of the South Mountain Reservation. Start out at the parking lot by Cherry Lane, and then take the Lenape trail (yellow blazes) for a short while until it joins the Hillspur trail (unblazed). Hillspur continues all the way to about the 1.5 mile mark where you then follow the Turtleback Interpretive trail (orange/white) until you reach the Zoo trail (green dot) at the 2.2 mile mark. After 2.9 miles, you’ll hit the Reservoir trail (white). Follow this for a short while until you take a sharp right onto the Turtle Back trail (orange). This tracks the Rahway River and will get you back to the lot. You then have the option to extend the hike by taking the Lenape all the way to South Orange Avenue and back to the lot again.
