The Most Beautiful Trail to Take a Hike in Toms River, New Jersey

When I am feeling stressed, upset, overwhelmed, happy, bored, or excited I like to take a hike.

I pretty much never not want to hop in the car, head down Fischer Blvd., and go to Cattus Island Park. It is truly my happy place.

Cattus Island is filled with so many trails that highlight different areas of the park.

Most people take the main trail.

It is a wide, somewhat paved, trail that takes you through two different parts of the salt marsh, a more wooded area, and brings you to a beach on the Barnegat Bay.

While you're on this trail you walk past the old farmhouse site where you can learn a bit about the history of the property and see the photos of the mansion that sat on that spot.

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This trail also has a few offshoots to get to the Blue Trail, which feels much more secluded and quiet.

Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the main trail. I myself have walked this trail countless times. However, if I had to rank each trail at Cattus the main trail wouldn't be #1 for me.

I have hiked/walked on every trail at the park countless times and by far my favorite trail is the Yellowbank Trail.

I just did this hike over the weekend and we only came across a few other hikers, so it was very peaceful.

The easiest way to get to the Yellowbank Trail from the parking lot is starting with the Marine Forest Trail (red trail).

The red trail entrance is to the left of the Cooper Environmental Center, just before the main trail starts. There is usually a porta potty just to the right of the trail entrance.

The red and yellow trail intersect, when you get to the crossroads go to the right. When the yellow trail splits I usually go to the left and follow it around to the Ocean County Park office.

The section that takes you through the Ocean County Parks office goes through a freshwater wetlands area and feels like a fantasy movie.

It can be a bit muddy, but there are many areas where you walk on boards over the water and mud.

You'll cross the back of the park office building, along the bay, before getting back to a more wooded area that's filled with out coves overlooking the bay.

As you keep hiking, you get back to the saltwater marsh with views of Cattus Island.

This trail is so peaceful, but can get your shoes quite muddy. It's well worth it.

You'll make it back to the red trail, where you can extend your hike and loop around the front half of Cattus Island by going to the right or go back to where you started by going to the left.

If you start on the red, do the Yellowbank loop, and go back to where you started, the entire hike is about 3 miles.

Now hopefully not too many people take my advice so this trail stays quiet.