Pyramid Mountain in Morris County is a large county park best known for Tripod Rock, a unique balancing rock formation. Aside from Tripod Rock, Pyramid Mountain is also home to an often overlooked waterfall named Valhalla Falls. Valhalla Falls is located on the much quieter Turkey Mountain side of the park. Valhalla Falls is not large, at only about 10 feet, but is a great stop for those wishing to avoid the crowds on the main side of Pyramid Mountain.
Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area
Visitors Center: Thursday-Sunday at 472 Boonton Ave, Montville, NJ 07045
Other Attractions: Tripod Rock
Valhalla Falls
Height: 13 feet
Waterfall Coordinates: 40.94621 -74.36789
Distance: 4 miles round trip
Ease of Access: Moderate
Rating:
Explore North Jersey Review: Nice hike to a small waterfall with a somewhat unique appearance that is best after a lot of rain.
Valhalla Falls is at the far end of the park, and without a map, finding the waterfall would be very difficult due to the many intersecting trails on the way. The Morris County Park Commission has made trail guides for the major sites at the park, including one for the waterfall trail. This is the trail I recommend taking, but with two notes:
- Take the trail counter-clockwise instead of clockwise. This is the more intuitive path as the trail begins at the visitor center. The approach to Valhalla Falls is also more enjoyable this way
- If you take the trail counter-clockwise as I recommend, you have the choice of turning around or continuing on the Yellow Trail. I personally prefer loops and do continue on the trail, but the Yellow Trail climbs a substantial hill and there is not much to look at for those wanting something easier
Valhalla Falls, is small, but it has a unique appearance that is difficult to understand when not in person. The waterfall travels next to a small ledge, and it looks like there are multiple paths of least resistance for the water to travel down before it reaches the actual waterfall. Valhalla Falls does not appear to follow a path that water would naturally take.
GPS Route
Attached is the route as described above for reference. Additionally users can download the route to use on their preferred GPS.
Additional Information
- Pyramid Mountain is very popular. There is no parking on Boonton Avenue, but people do it anyway. Arrive early on weekends and plan alternate destinations. The Valhalla Falls trail is rarely crowded, though
- Valhalla Falls is best in the spring or after heavy rain. Valhalla Falls can run completely dry in the summer
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