<<<Hikes in NJ - Trails Less Taken

Skylands Manor - Ilgenstein Rock/Erskine Lookout

Ringwood State Park

Summary: Views of the NYC skyline (Ilgenstein Rock) and of Wanaque Reservoir (Erskine Lookout) are along this hike in Ringwood State Park. You can also tour the grounds and gardens of Skyland Manor.

9.5 miles. Moderate. Typical rugged Jersey trail surface.

Map: You'll want the North Jersey Trails Map Set #115 map to negotiate the network of trails here. Didn't see a trail map in the visitor center, but they could have one.

Books: Detailed trail descriptions found in the New Jersey Walk Book. Other, shorter hikes in Ringwood can be found in "Hiking the Jersey Highlands" and in "50 Hikes in New Jersey"

Skylands Manor gardens and grounds are worth a visit before or after your hike. Info is here: www.njbg.org and there is a map of the grounds you can print out plus directions. Parking fee is charged from Memorial to Labor day. The Manor is only open for tours one Sunday a month, but you can wander the grounds and the garden. Note that they do not allow dogs on the grounds.

Skylands Manor

Parking: Rt 287 N to exit 55 to Rt 511. Turn right onto Sloatsburg Rd, there should be signs for Ringwood. Right onto Morris Ave, go straight where there are stone lions on either side of the road and parking lot A will be on your left.

Parking fee is charged from Memorial to Labor day. Info on the NJ State Park Pass.

Restrooms: at the Visitor Center. Walking out of the parking lot, follow the road around and shortly arrive at the visitor center and bathrooms on the left, while the Manor is on your right.

Hike Directions: Overview: Crossover (WHITE) to Halifax (RED) to Pierson Ridge (BLUE) to Crossover - past Ilgenstein Rock - Hoerferlin Memorial (YELLOW) - past Erskine Lookout - Old Guard (GREEN LEAF) to right on Ringwood/Ramapo (RED) to Crossover (WHITE)

Walking out of the parking lot, turn left to pick up the Crossover (White) trail. Follow this on a level gravel road.

.4 - Turn left onto Halifax (GREEN). Head up a rocky incline. At the top there are views of the reservoir, which may be obscured by leaf cover in season.

.9 - Pass Ringwood-Ramapo (RED), and not long after, pass BLUE. Continue uphill GREEN.

1.8 - Turn RIGHT onto Pierson Ridge (BLUE) and follow that for a mostly level mile.

2.9 - Bear LEFT onto Crossover (WHITE) - you'll also see a blue blaze. (WHITE to the right will take you back to the Manor)

3.4 - turn RIGHT onto Hoferlin Memorial (YELLOW)

3.8 - Ilgenstein Rock and views of the NYC skyine. Continue on YELLOW.

4.8 - Pass GREEN and then in a few more steps you are at Erskine Lookout, with views of the Wanaque Reservoir.

5.4 - Turn RIGHT onto Old Guard (GREEN LEAF on WHITE).

Shortly you hit RED (Ringwood-Ramapo)- turn RIGHT and start following that.

6.6 - pass BLUE, continue on RED for

8.2 - Viewpoint from a large rock outcropping.

8.3 - Bear left onto Crossover (WHITE). Follow the woods road back to the parking lot.