Buttermilk Falls and Long Path in Rockland County

Description

From the northern end of the parking area, head into the woods on a blue-blazed trail, which climbs gradually. Pay careful attention to the blazes, as there are a number of side trails in this area. After ascending on a switchback, you'll reach the remnants of two stone pillars to the left of the trail, with scenic Buttermilk Falls cascading down the mountain in the ravine below.

The trail now bears right and continues to climb. After a brief descent, you'll reach a limited west-facing viewpoint, with a field visible below. Continue ahead uphill on the blue trail, and you'll soon come to a broader viewpoint. You may hear and see a train along the West Shore railroad tracks running parallel to the hills in the background.

After a little more climbing, you'll reach a T-junction with a woods road. Turn right and continue along the blue-blazed trail for about 150 feet to a third viewpoint, with the broadest view. You can see all the way west to Ramapo Mountains and, on a clear day, the skyscrapers of Newark are visible on the horizon to the south.

Retrace your steps to the junction and continue ahead on an orange-blazed trail, which begins here. The trail soon narrows to a footpath, descends to cross a stream on rocks, then climbs slightly to cross paved Schuyler Road. On the other side of the road, the orange-blazed trail crosses a lawn, reenters the woods, and descends rather steeply to end at a junction with a white-blazed trail.

Turn left onto the white-blazed trail, which crosses a wet area and a stream on rocks and then climbs steadily. After a short level stretch, the white-blazed trail ends at a junction with the aqua-blazed Long Path. Turn right onto the Long Path and continue to climb, passing through a gap in an old stone wall near the crest of the rise.

After another level section, the Long Path descends to cross paved Bradley Hill Road diagonally to the right. It reenters the woods, climbing gradually. As the trail approaches the crest of the rise, there are views through the trees to the left over the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The Long Path descends to cross a macadam road, climbs again, then descends. After climbing railroad tie steps, you'll notice a triple-red blaze on the right. You'll be continuing on this red-blazed trail, but first proceed ahead on the Long Path for another 200 feet to an expansive south-facing viewpoint from a graffiti-scarred rock.

After taking in the view, retrace your steps and turn left onto the red-blazed trail, which crosses Tweed Boulevard, climbs slightly, then begins a steady descent, with some views through the trees to the left. In about half a mile, you'll notice a white-blazed trail that begins to the left, but you should continue ahead on the red-blazed trail.

About 100 feet after crossing Bradley Hill Road, the red-blazed trail ends at a junction with another white-blazed trail. Turn left onto the white-blazed trail, which climbs for a short distance, then begins to descend. Soon, it crosses Schuyler Road, crosses a stream on a wooden footbridge, and continues to descend on a grassy woods road. At a T-intersection, the trail bears left onto a wider gravel road and descends more steeply.

Watch for a turn where the white blazes turn right, leaving the road. Continue to follow the white-blazed trail, which descends wooden steps, crosses a boardwalk, and soon ends at the parking area where the hike began.