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Stairway to Heaven Trail

Stone steps up Wawayanda Mountain to Pinwheel Vista, the best panorama in Vernon Valley

At a glance

  • A bucket-list Appalachian Trail climb: volunteer-built stone steps rising 900 feet up Wawayanda Mountain
  • Pinwheel Vista panorama: Vernon Valley farms, the Kittatinny Ridge, even High Point Monument on clear days
  • About 2.6 miles round trip, moderately strenuous, leashed dogs welcome, cider donuts at Heaven Hill after

Climbing the Stairway to Heaven

The name isn’t hype. The Stairway to Heaven is a short, steep section of the Appalachian Trail in Vernon that climbs Wawayanda Mountain on actual stone steps, hauled into place and set by trail volunteers to tame one of the rockiest ascents in Sussex County. From the trailhead lot on Route 94, the hike to Pinwheel Vista and back runs about 2.6 miles with roughly 900 feet of climbing. It starts deceptively easy, crossing flat field and a boulder field at the mountain’s base, then tilts sharply upward through switchbacks and rock staircases. Sturdy shoes matter here; so does taking your time. This is a moderately strenuous hike, and the trailhead signs warning of rattlesnakes and copperheads are real, as are the black bears that roam this ridge. Make a little noise and you’ll almost certainly never see one.

The View from Pinwheel Vista

At the top of the ridge, a large rock cairn marks a blue-blazed spur trail on the left. Follow it a short distance to Pinwheel Vista, the broad rock outcrop that makes the whole climb worth it. The vista is named for Paul “Pinwheel” DeCoste, a volunteer who helped build this stretch of trail. Below you spreads the entire Vernon Valley, with Pochuck Mountain in the middle distance, the Kittatinny Ridge behind it, and on a clear day the High Point Monument on the horizon. Hawks ride the thermals at eye level. Continue a tenth of a mile past the cairn on the white blazes and you’ll find the famous mailbox holding a logbook signed by Appalachian Trail thru-hikers.

Parking and Trailhead Logistics

The trailhead is on Route 94 (Vernon Warwick Road) in Vernon, just south of Heaven Hill Farm. There’s a small free dirt lot at the trailhead plus an overflow area along the road that requires a ParkMobile fee. Both fill early on nice weekends, and the surrounding residential streets are permit-only with weekend no-parking rules that police enforce. Arrive early, park legally, and be a good guest.

Want the full Vernon Valley experience? Pair this climb with the flat, family-friendly Pochuck Boardwalk across Route 94, or browse more hiking trails in Sussex County. And yes, the post-hike cider donut at Heaven Hill is practically mandatory.

FAQ

Is Pinwheel Vista the same as the Stairway to Heaven?

They're two parts of one hike. The Stairway to Heaven is the steep, stone-stepped section of the Appalachian Trail climbing Wawayanda Mountain in Vernon NJ, and Pinwheel Vista is the panoramic rock outcrop at the top, reached by a short blue-blazed spur trail marked with a large rock cairn.

How hard is the Stairway to Heaven hike in NJ?

It's moderately strenuous: about 2.6 miles round trip with roughly 900 feet of elevation gain, much of it on steep, rocky terrain and stone steps. Most hikers finish in around two hours. It's manageable for beginners in decent shape who wear sturdy shoes and pace themselves.

Where do you park for the Stairway to Heaven trail?

Park at the trailhead lot on Route 94 (Vernon Warwick Road), just south of Heaven Hill Farm. A small dirt lot is free, and the overflow area along the road requires a ParkMobile fee. Lots fill early on nice weekends, and nearby residential streets are permit-only and enforced.

Is the Stairway to Heaven trail dog friendly?

Yes, leashed dogs are welcome. Keep in mind the trail is rocky and steep, so it suits dogs with some trail experience, and black bears frequent the area. Bring water for your dog, especially in summer, since there's no reliable water source on the climb.

Can you combine Stairway to Heaven with the Pochuck Boardwalk?

Yes, and it's a classic Sussex County outing. The Appalachian Trail connects them across Route 94, linking the flat, mile-long boardwalk over the Pochuck swamp with the climb to Pinwheel Vista. The full combined out-and-back runs about 7 miles, so bring water and snacks.

More to explore in Vernon

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