Headed over to Ramapo Mountain State Forest to check out a newer trail, Wanaque Ridge, in the western part of the park. We slapped together a route as we went along and ended up only with 7.2 miles, but there was a decent amount of up and down along a pretty rugged trail surface. It was a brrrrisk and dreary day, so we plan to come back to take photos when it’s more colorful.
Ramapo is a great park to hike and the Wanaque Ridge trail was no exception, especially if you enjoy ridge hikes. Once we got to the Wanaque Trail from MacEvoy Trail, it started out just as nice forest, then climbed up to the ridge for some great views of Wanaque Reservoir and dams and all the surrounding mountains. (and, well yeah, houses too)
Further down the trail, views opened up back toward the main part of the park and we could just see the ruins of Van Slyke Castle and the water tower (another great hike in the park). Read more…
Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Ramapo Valley page.
7.2 miles – Moderate trail surface, some hills, rocky sections. A little snow on the trail, mostly muddy from snowmelt. The path near the pond, and a large section of trail near the reservoir was totally slick ice from all the foot travel compacting it. Crossing the pipeline later was also very icy, once false move and you would have starting sliding down the huge hill of the pipeline cut.
Rt. 287N, exit 58 to 202N in Mahwah. Large lot is on the left.
Our route: Silver to Green (Halifax) to Blue (Shore) to Red-Silver to Orange to Silver. Lots more options, connect to Ringwood and Ramapo Mountain to make longer loops; or do a short 2-mile roundtrip to Hawk Rokck viewpoint…
For detailed hike directions, maps, photos and GPS coordinates, visit our Best Hikes in NJ – Ramapo Mountain – Van Slyke Castle page. Includes shorter hikes options too.
Lots to see in this park… Ramapo Lake, Van Slyke Castle ruins and water tower, views of the area’s mountains and NYC on a clear day, millstones, a couple more lakes, lovely forests and streams…
This is a popular spot for a short hike with lots of results for a little effort. The approach from the parking lot on BLUE MacEvoy trail is rugged enough to feel like you are hiking, and follows a pleasant stream in a cool, shady forest… arriving at a lake in a little more than a half-mile.
Hike a little further, and you are rewarded with outstanding views and get to explore the ruins of the Van Slyke Castle. (watch out for TONS of poison ivy)
We kept going, and did a 9.8 mile loop. Moderate trail surface, enough ups and downs to wear you out…
Ramapo Mountain State Forest. 7.9 miles. NYNJTC Map #115. BLUE to the Lake, then YELLOW (Hoeferlin Memorial) south to WHITE (South Ridge) then took RED (Cannonball) back and around the lake, took a unmarked woods road to rejoin BLUE and back to the lot.
Trailhead: Rt 287 to Exit 57 to Skyline drive. Parking is on W side on a bit of a blind curve. Lot entrance is rutted and not fantastic if you have a low vehicle. Lot fills up and people were waiting for our spot when we left. Porta Potty at the end of the lot was maintained and had TP. This is a popular trailhead as there are many trail options and it’s not far to get to Ramapo Lake.
Decent amount of elevation changes on this route. Several nice viewpoints along Hoeferlin, which also crosses 287 on a foot bridge. There is some road noise along this route due to 287 proximity.
