<<<Best Hikes in NJ

Ramapo Mountain State Forest

Summary: Popular, extensive network of trails located in Bergen and Passaic Counties, NJ.  This route takes in Ramapo Lake, Van Slyke Castle* ruins, plus views of the surrounding area and of NYC. It’s easy to create loops of any length here, and there is a lot to see, even on a short loop.

 

This is a very, very popular area, especially going to and around the lake. But the further you hike away from the lake area, the less crowded this park becomes. On the long route below, we encountered no one for several hours.

 

*The NJ Walk Book calls it “Foxcroft Mansion” (p.93), and online sources refer to it as Van Slyke Castle. This site has a photo of how the castle once looked, and some history.

 

The route described below is long and challenging, but there are indications in the description for shorter loops, including these 2 popular routes:

• BLUE (MacEvoy) to Ramapo Lake. You can also go around the lake on an easy woods road or pick up many other trails from the area.(About 1.2 miles roundtrip to the lake, more if you wander around the lake)

• BLUE (MacEvoy) to WHITE (Castle) up a bit of steep climb to the ruins of the Van Slyke Castle and water tower. From the water tower, there is a view of NYC. (About 3.2 miles roundtrip)

**If you do the short hikes listed, they are easy to moderate. Do the whole 9.8 mile loop only if you are an experienced hiker in decent shape and want a nice challenge.

 

 

Map: North Jersey Trails Map Set (map #115). Couldn’t locate a trail map online, and while there was a map box at the trail kiosk, it was empty. If anyone has a scan of one, let us know and we'll post it.

 

Parking: Rt 287 to Exit 57, north on Skyline Drive briefly – the “lower” parking lot is on the left, there is a large wooden sign but it comes up kind of suddenly. The entrance is pretty rutted, so take it easy if you have a low-clearance vehicle. This popular trail head lot fills up quickly.

 

There is another parking area further north on Skyline drive – the “upper” lot. The trails from that will lead to the lake area via Hoeferlin (YELLOW) or Cannonball, plus you can pick up Schuber (ORANGE) or Todd (WHITE) to head north.

 

Restrooms: Porta-John in the lower parking lot. The upper lot does not have one; but we have not been to it in awhile so not 100% sure on that.

 

9.8 miles, moderate trail surface, many moderate elevation changes. Some of this route is overgrown and grassy.

 

Hike Directions: From the parking lot, walk toward the trail kiosk and porta-john, go toward 2 stone wall ruins to pick up the BLUE trail.

 

The trail is immediately very pretty – the shady trail wanders near a stream and gently heads uphill towards the lake. The trail is very rocky, with a minor half-scramble and then an easy rock hop over a small stream.

 

.4 mile - Pass the start of the Todd trail (WHITE) on your right.

 

.6 mile – YELLOW (Hoeferlin Memorial) comes in on your right and the trail is briefly

BLUE/YELLOW co-aligned as you approach the lake. Watch for the markers to indicate a LEFT turn with the lake visible, and continue following BLUE.

 

BLUE continues around the north side of Ramapo Lake on an easy dirt road. There are many spots to sit and/or view the lake. [You can turn around here for an easy 1.2 mile roundtrip hike, or go around the lake all or part-way for a short loop]

 

Near the end of the lake, BLUE turns RIGHT away from the lake and heads uphill thru 2 stone posts. The woods road continues straight and will go around the lake.

 

1.1 mile – the trail curves RIGHT uphill, while MacEvoy (BLUE) continues LEFT.  Start following Castle Point (WHITE), there will be a trail sign, TURN left. The woods road continues straight.

 

Head uphill, steeply and scramble over a low stone wall. On a clear day you may see the NYC skyline to the east (behind you)

 

1.4 mile – castle ruins. Overgrown remains of the Van Slyke Castle can be walked through, basically stone walls and some pipes. Watch for lots and lots and lots of poison ivy. Follow the WHITE markers around the edge of the ruins. Once past it, head LEFT and continue following WHITE. (There are two unmarked paths as well)

 

Continue on WHITE, there is a viewpoint on your left, overlooking a lake in the distance. Also pass the ruins of a swimming pool for the mansion.

 

1.6 mile – large stone tower that used to hold a water cistern for the mansion. There are views of NYC on a clear day to the east. You may need to walk on the rock outcrop a bit and peek through the trees… NYC may not be obvious at first, taller folks will have an easier time seeing it.

 

[You can turnaround and retrace your steps at this point, for a 3.2 mile hike]

 

Continue on WHITE. There is another viewpoint on your left. Watch the markers here, it is very clearly marked but you will make a LEFT then a quick RIGHT, and as you approach a road in front of you you’ll be making a LEFT, then will be following a pipeline cut for a short bit before heading RIGHT back into the woods and hopping over a little stream… just keep an eye out for WHITE through the turns in this area.

 

Climb rather steeply to a rock outcrop. You’ll start to hear road noise here. Continue on WHITE until it ends at a paved path at 2.1 miles. Turn LEFT and start following the Cannonball Trail (RED circle with a WHITE C). Immediately cross Skyline Drive.

 

2.2 miles – on your right, the Hoeferlin trail (YELLOW) joins Cannonball and the trail is now marked with both a C and a YELLOW rectangle blaze. The trail is an easy woods road here. You are parallel to Skyline Drive so there is a lot of road noise.

 

2.8 miles – come into an open area for a power line. The blazes are not immediately obvious, look for some large cement blocks straight ahead on the other side of the clearing and there will be blazes there.

 

Continue following YELLOW/ Cannonball Trail (RED circle with a WHITE C).

 

3.1 miles – Matapan Rock trail (RED) crosses left and right. Continue straight. The trail now veers away from the road, the road noise lessens and the trail becomes more overgrown.

 

3.8 miles – trail splits in a Y.  Continue RIGHT on Cannonball (RED circle with a WHITE C). Hoeferlin (Yellow) goes to the left.

 

4.5 miles – The Old Guard Trail (GREEN LEAF on WHITE) crosses Cannonball. Turn right, trails are very briefly co-joined; come to a T with Cannonball to your left, Old Guard to your right. Turn RIGHT and start following Old Guard (GREEN LEAF on WHITE).

 

You are now roughly almost half-way in this route; heading south back towards the parking lot.

 

4.7 miles – watch for the blazes indicating a RIGHT turn for Old Guard; a woods road goes straight. The trail is quite nice here, area is wet and somewhat lush.

 

5.1 miles – trail joins up with Schuber (ORANGE). Continue following Old Guard which is now also blazed ORANGE. Schuber also heads left. There is a stream you can take a break by in this area.

 

5.4 miles – Camp Glen Grey buildings are in this area. At a bridge over the steam, the Schuber (ORANGE) trail turns right and crosses the water. Continue straight here on Old Guard, following the stream in a pleasant area. There are some picnic tables in the camp. Come upon a lake and continue to follow the Old Guard Trail (GREEN LEAF on WHITE) markers down the camp road.

 

Pass a dam and another camp building before arriving at a gravel parking lot. The porta-johns here were padlocked. Walk past the building ahead and look for the WHITE markers (Millstone Trail) on the left.

 

6.2 miles – Cross the stream on a bridge (assuming it’s done, it was being worked on the day we hiked so we rock hopped the stream). Follow the WHITE markers back into the woods, away from the Camp and through some shady, pleasant forest.

 

6.3 miles – trail comes to a Y where it meets YELLOW (diamond shape), which goes left and right. Turn RIGHT and follow YELLOW(diamond shape)/WHITE (Millstone). Continue, crossing over a park road at one point. Then head uphill.

 

6.8 miles – Old millstones are laying on the ground, and this makes a nice rest spot. At this point, WHITE and YELLOW split; start following only YELLOW (diamond shape) now.

 

Continue following YELLOW (diamond shape). The trail is quite narrow and overgrown with tall grass. This area has a secluded feel to it; make sure you are making noise so you don’t surprise any bears that may be in the area. There are some views of the surrounding hills in the area as well as NYC in the distance, though mostly obscured by trees. The trail starts to head downhill.

 

7.2 miles – watch for the trail to split and bear RIGHT to follow the YELLOW markers. An unmarked woods road goes left.

 

Rock-hop across two stream crossings in a lovely area, then start heading steeply uphill. At the top of the hill, you can see a blue water tower in the distance, on the left. Continue following YELLOW.

 

8.0 miles – Arrive at Todd Lake which is covered in lily pads.

 

8.1 miles – YELLOW ends at TODD (WHITE), which goes left and right here on a woods road. Turn LEFT and start following TODD (WHITE).

 

Walk a short ways and turn RIGHT, still following the WHITE markers. Walk uphill to views of the east and a lake – the view is nothing really fantastic.

 

9.0 miles – cross Skyline Drive. You need cross heavy traffic and then with little shoulder to stand in, hop a guard rail which is covered in TONS of poison ivy…. Just a heads up.

 

Continue following WHITE.

 

9.5 miles – meet up with MacEvoy (Blue), where you where earlier. Turn LEFT and retrace BLUE back to to the lot.