Ramapo Mountain State Forest – Van Slyke Castle
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…
**If you do the short hikes listed, they are easy to moderate. Do the whole loop only if you are an experienced hiker in decent shape and want a nice challenge.
Once out of the popular areas, we passed only a handful of people and actually had a several hour stretch where we saw no one, on partly sunny, 80 degree day. The Camp Glen Grey area was almost eerily empty… all these camp buildings… and no campers. Assuming it’s a busy place when there is camping.
ROUTE: BLUE (MacEvoy) – WHITE (Castle) – Cannonball (RED CIRCLE, WHITE C) – Old Guard (GREEN LEFT on WHITE) – WHITE (Millstones) – Yellow (Diamond shape) – WHITE (Todd) – BLUE (MacEvoy)
