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In the mood for a hike or horseback ride on Sunday?

The state Department of Environmental Protection is sponsoring eight free guided hikes and a horseback ride in state parks and trails on New Year's Day as part of a nationwide America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative.

The initiative, which is being held in all 50 states, is intended to offer individuals and families an opportunity to kick off the New Year by taking a healthy hike at a state park.

"We are excited to host First Day hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our parks,'' DEP Assistant Commissioner of Historic and Natural Resources Amy Cradic said Wednesday. "First Day hikes are a great way to start the year, cure cabin fever, and burn off extra holiday calories by offering opportunities for invigorating walks, hikes, or horseback rides in one of New Jersey's beautiful state parks."

New Jersey's state parks, forests and recreation areas boast a variety of beautiful settings for year-round outdoor recreation, and each First Day hike will offer an opportunity to explore natural and cultural treasures close to home. DEP park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes, which range from one or two miles to 15 miles.

At Double Trouble State Park in the Pine Barrens, for example, hikers might spot tundra swans gathered on flooded bogs. Or people can enjoy a walk and let naturalists open their eyes to the wonders of winter ecology at the Round Valley Recreation Area, Belleplain State Forest, or Washington Crossing State Park.

Or explore pieces of the trail that was once a railroad bed with volunteers from the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee - either on foot or horseback - through Kittatinny State Park.

For a bigger challenge, take the all-day guided hike from the White Lake Wildlife Management Area in Warren County to Swartswood State Park in Sussex County, an amble that will showcase ridge and valley connection to the Paulinskill Valley Trail. A more sedate pace will be set at Ringwood State Park where hikers can explore historic buildings as they meander along a one-mile trail.

The guided hikes will take place at the following locations:

Belleplain State Forest, 10 a.m., (609) 861-2404

Double Trouble State Park, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (732) 341-4098

Kittatinny State Park to Swartswood State Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., (908) 343-8374

Paulinskill Valley Trail (at Footbridge Park), 10 a.m., (908) 684-4820

Paulinskill Valley Trail at Halsey Farm, 11 a.m., (973) 948-3814 (horseback ride)

Ringwood State Park, 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m., (973) 962-7031

Round Valley Recreation Area, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (908) 236-6355

Washington Crossing State Park, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., (609) 737-0609

Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain and tips regarding proper clothing can be found at:

www.njparksandforests.org.

—TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM