My husband and I are interested in learning more about hiking. Our local REI recently hosted a free Fall Hiking Basics course, and we attended. While some of the class felt like a sales pitch for REI products, overall the instructor was knowledgeable and offered great insight for novice hikers. During the class, the instructor mentioned the nearby Black Run Preserve as a great spot for day hikes. We decided to explore for ourselves.

Over the weekend, we made our way to the nature preserve in Evesham, New Jersey. We initially had difficulty locating the preserve, as there were some road closures at the entrance. Thanks to a handout from the REI class, we knew there was also an entrance via a nearby golf course. After parking at the course and avoiding golf balls as we walked into the preserve, we were set to start our hike. There are several different trails, well-marked with colored signs on trees and posts. Without a set schedule, we knew we wanted to explore as much of the preserve as possible, so we wandered on a leisurely five-mile hike. There weren’t many people out on the trails, which we attributed to the warm weather, even early in the day. We spent about two hours in the preserve, with a few stops to take some photos.

We plan to explore more hiking options nearby and aim to plan a trip to Shenandoah National Park in the fall to experience the foliage.

— Katie Skrzek, vice president/digital director