Batona Trail Overnight Hike

I enjoyed a 14 mile hike on the northern section of the Batona Trail from Route 70 to Route 532, just before Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower.  I had hiked previously traveling north to this point so I figured I may as well connect the dots.

The hike went well even though some of the trail was flooded and others were frozen.  It went down to 33 degrees at night.

Thankfully, Pakim Pond yurts were opened year round for camping.

The only other issue was a detour that added several miles to the trip.  All in all though, it was a great hike.

Advertisement

Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower

In the Pine Barons of South Jersey, deep in Wharton State Forest,  there is a great expanse of pinelands that stretches as far as the eye can see.  On a recent hike on part of the Batona Trail, we reached the Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower.  NJDEP.  The fire tower is 60 feet tall and sits upon a hill that makes the height of about 200 feet above sea level.

You can see Atlantic City, NJ and the casinos are visible in the distance on a clear day.  And to my surprise, in the other direction, you can make out the Philadelphia skyline.  Quite a distance.

The tower used to serve as a look-out for forest fires but now serves as a destination for hikers, nature lovers and, unfortunately, young people who want to party and who don’t respect what they found in the woods.

If your in the area, it is worth the trip.