Home / Lifestyle / Passaic County Highlands Rail Trail Opens, Connecting Communities and Promoting Outdoor Adventure
Passaic County Highlands Rail Trail Opens, Connecting Communities and Promoting Outdoor Adventure
5 Oct, 2025
Summary
- First county-based recreational area in Wanaque borough
- 1.7-mile segment open, with plans to extend trail further
- Trail provides alternative to Ringwood Avenue Corridor
- Part of larger regional trail network in development
On September 30, 2025, Passaic County, New Jersey celebrated the opening of the first segment of the new Highlands Rail Trail, a project that has repurposed an abandoned railroad right-of-way. This 1.7-mile stretch, running from F.A. Orechio Drive to Union Avenue, is the first county-based recreational area in the borough of Wanaque.
The Highlands Rail Trail is part of a larger plan to develop a regional trail network across Passaic County. While this initial phase provides a scenic pathway for local commuters on foot or bike, officials foresee the completed trail connecting communities and offering greater access to recreational areas, public institutions, and other facilities. The next segment, set to begin construction in 2026, will extend the paved trail by another mile, ending at Conklintown Road.
The Highlands Rail Trail is managed by the Passaic County Department of Parks and Recreation and is open from dawn to dusk. Along the route, visitors can enjoy views of the Wanaque Reservoir and Rainbow Lake, as well as interpretive markers highlighting points of interest and local history. As the project continues to unfold, the county aims to transform this abandoned railroad corridor into a valuable community asset that promotes outdoor exploration and active transportation.
