From the parking area, turn right on the Main Trail, a wide gravel path, and head east. You'll pass a kiosk with a donation box. To help support the costs of maintaining the property, non-members are requested to pay a small fee to hike through the nature center property ($2 per person or $10 per family, payable either in cash or by scanning a QR code). Continue along the Main Trail for 200...
Hike Description:
From the parking area, turn right on the Main Trail, a wide gravel path, and head east. You'll pass a kiosk with a donation box. To help support the costs of maintaining the property, non-members are requested to pay a small fee to hike through the nature center property ($2 per person or $10 per family, payable either in cash or by scanning a QR code). Continue along the Main Trail for 200 feet beyond the kiosk, then turn right onto the Red Trail (blazed with red triangles). Follow the Red Trail as it heads south and then loops around to the north.
After crossing a wet area on puncheons, you’ll reach a trail junction at several huge fallen trees. Here, the Purple Trail begins. Turn right onto the Purple Trail, which immediately crosses a brook on a footbridge. In half a mile, after passing some interesting rock formations, you’ll reach an intersection where the Blue Trail begins on the right. Bear left to continue on the Purple Trail. After crossing a brook on a footbridge, the Purple Trail ends at a T-intersection with the yellow-blazed Allison Trail. Turn right onto the Allison Trail.
A short distance ahead, where the trail bends left, there is an interesting rock formation (named "Little Rock Den" on the trail map) to the left of the trail. In another 500 feet, you'll reach a junction with the orange-blazed Haring Rock Trail, which begins on the right. Turn right and continue south on the Haring Rock Trail, which follows a winding footpath and eventually widens to a woods road.
As you approach East Clinton Avenue, the southern boundary of the nature center, you’ll notice a large boulder on the left. This is the Haring Rock, after which the trail is named. Turn left here and follow the yellow/orange-blazed Seely Trail, which heads southeast, parallel to East Clinton Avenue. After crossing the Green Brook on a footbridge, the Seely Trail ends at a junction with the yellow-blazed Allison Trail.
Turn left and head north on the Allison Trail, which follows a mossy woods road. In a third of a mile, you’ll reach a junction. Continue to follow the yellow-blazed Allison Trail as it turns left, joining the red-blazed Little Chism Trail. Both trails cross the Green Brook on a footbridge, then turn right and parallel the brook.
In 750 feet, you’ll reach another junction. Here, the Little Chism Trail leaves to the right, but you should continue ahead on the yellow-blazed Allison Trail.
When you reach the junction with the orange-blazed Haring Rock Trail, continue ahead on the yellow-blazed Allison Trail, now covering an 0.3-mile section of trail that you previously hiked in the reverse direction. When you reach the junction with the Purple Trail, bear right to continue along the Allison Trail, now once again proceeding along a section of trail that you have not covered previously on this hike. A third of a mile beyond, the yellow-blazed Allison Trail ends at the Main Trail, a wide dirt road.
Turn left onto the Main Trail, passing the historic Lambier House, a private residence which dates back to the 1870s. Beyond the house, the road narrows to a wide gravel path. As the path approaches a stone wall, the White Trail (marked with white triangles) begins on the right. (On the park map, this trail is designated as the Di Filippi Trail.) Turn right, leaving the Main Trail, and follow the White Trail. When you reach a junction with the red/white-blazed Bischoff Trail, turn left to continue along the White Trail, which soon begins to run along the shore of Pfister’s Pond. Sections of the trail that traverse wet areas are built on boardwalk.
Just beyond a wooden shelter used for programs (camping is not permitted), the White Trail ends at the Main Trail (the junction is marked by a stone monument to Dr. Joseph A. De Filippi). Turn right onto the Main Trail and follow it back to the parking area where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 10/17/2002 updated/verified on 02/12/2024![Boardwalk Along the De Filippi Trail - Tenafly Nature Center - Photo credit: Trail Conference Boardwalk Along the De Filippi Trail - Tenafly Nature Center - Photo credit: Trail Conference](https://highlands-trail.org/sites/default/files/styles/hike_park_destination_page/public/hotw/Hike302_TenaflyLoop1_TrailConference2015.jpg?itok=uuIiPPrP)
![Boardwalk Along the De Filippi Trail - Tenafly Nature Center - Photo credit: Trail Conference Boardwalk Along the De Filippi Trail - Tenafly Nature Center - Photo credit: Trail Conference](https://highlands-trail.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/hotw/Hike302_TenaflyLoop1_TrailConference2015.jpg?itok=TFCipXE3)
This loop hike circles this nature preserve, passing a glacial erratic and an interesting pond.
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.