The Batona Trail - Hiking

[NJSnakeMan]

Sometime, probably next year, I want to hike the Batona Trail. I've read over a few things and searched it up, and downloaded some maps already. Does anyone have some advice for me? It should take less then a week, I'm guessing.

Are you aloud to camp along the trail, or are there campgrounds at different points off the trail?

Does anyone know where I can find a dependable map for the hike?

And is the entire trail pretty well maintained, or are there some creeks or boggy areas you must cross?

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[Teegate]

Mike Baker ran it in one day, so you should have no problem hiking it in a week

To camp you have to have a permit I believe, but you can do a stealth camp if you skip the fires.


Guy

 

[GermanG]

The state put out a small green brochure, similar to the standard brochure for each state park, just on the Batona Trail. It had a map of the entire trail. Given the state's finances the last few years, I have no idea if it's still avaiable. I'm pretty sure I have several of them stashed away in my office though. I'm working tomorrow, so if you'd like me to drop one in the mail for you, give me a call at Wells Mills Park, 609-971-3085

German

 

[Boyd]

How about this? Not sure where I found this... was it posted here before?

 

[Boyd]

Part two...

 

[whippoorbill]

This might seem like a rather silly suggestion, but I've hiked the trail both ways, first from Ongs Hat down, then from Lake Absegami up -- and I would be one to suggest the trail be hiked from the south, up. Why? It's simply a matter of seeing what's ahead with a slightly clearer eye -- sun placement, less glare, etc. The brochure German mentions was readily available at Batsto as of a few weeks ago; I'm sure it is still there. Some were also stuffed into flip-top boxes at a couple of points on the trail (I specifically recall seeing some at Ongs Hat). Regarding wet feet, my second trip was taken over this past winter and I remember a few spots where the trail was wet, or outright flooded (leaving little choice but to slish and slosh) -- but I'm sure this is less likely the case in the heat of the summer. The trail is very well maintained (though "overly" blazed in certain sections) and there is a rather boring paved-road two-mile-plus section around Chatsworth, between Rts. 532 & 563 (there may be plans to move this part of the trail into the woods, but, until it is, I won't walk this section again). This section aside, the trail makes for a beautiful, beautiful walk. Go!