Description: 

This 4.6-mile loop hike combines several trails that traverse less-used portions of the Ramapo Valley County Reservation. It includes two spectacular viewpoints with expansive views over Bergen County and even the Manhattan skyline. Administered by the Bergen County Parks Department, the Ramapo Valley County Reservation includes some of the most scenic terrain in Bergen County. It is located in the northwest corner of the county, but is an easy drive from anywhere in Bergen and Passaic Counties.

The entrance to the reservation is on Route 202 (Ramapo Valley Road), about two miles south of NJ 17. From the south end of the parking area, a wide path leads down to the Ramapo River, which it crosses on a steel-truss bridge. This path is marked with circular silver disks and is known as the Silver Trail. Continue ahead on this wide path as it runs along the southern shore of Scarlet Oak Pond. Just beyond the western end of the pond, as the Silver Trail starts to climb, turn right on a wide unmarked path that runs along the western shore of the pond. Continue along this path for about 500 feet until you see three green-on-white markers on a trail to the left. This triple blaze (a blaze is a marker which designates the route of a hiking trail) marks the start of the Halifax Trail. Turn left here and cross a wooden footbridge. Continue along the green-on-white-blazed trail as it begins to climb on a moderately steep grade. After a short level stretch, followed by a brief climb, it arrives at Hawk Rock. This east-facing ledge offers an expansive view over much of Bergen County, with Ramapo College in the foreground to the left. On clear days, the Manhattan skyline is visible in the distance.

The Halifax Trail now bends to the left and continues to ascend (at the turn, you will notice a double blaze, with the upper blaze leaning in the direction of the turn). After reaching the crest of the ridge, the trail crosses the route of a gas pipeline and begins to descend. It turns right, briefly joining an eroded woods road, and then turns left on a footpath, finally reaching a woods road which traverses Havemeyer Hollow. You're now 1.8 miles from the start of the hike. Turn left here and follow the Halifax Trail along this relatively level road that goes up the valley, with Havemeyer Brook to the right.

In another 0.2 mile, you'll reach a junction with the blue-on-white Havemeyer Trail. Turn left and follow the Havemeyer Trail, which begins a steady climb. After crossing a small stream, the grade steepens. In about half a mile, the Havemeyer Trail turns right onto a woods road, soon passing a stone wall to the left. The first of several encountered along the route, this wall is a reminder that this parkland was once the site of someone's farm. The trail soon makes a sharp turn to the left. Here, the White Trail joins, with the two trails running jointly for about 500 feet. When the blue-on-white blazes depart to the right, continue straight ahead on the woods road, now following the White Trail on a relatively level route. After crossing a wide cleared strip, the route of a gas pipeline, the trail reaches the crest of Monroe Ridge and begins to descend.

Soon, the blue-blazed Ridge Trail comes in from the right. This is the end of the White Trail, but you should continue straight ahead on the same woods road, which is now marked with the blue blazes of the Ridge Trail. You've now hiked about three miles. In another 500 feet, you will notice a sign "Lookout," with an unmarked path leading to the right. Turn right and follow this path for about 400 feet to a viewpoint. This lookout offers a more southerly view, with Campgaw Mountain visible in the foreground to the right. Like the view from Hawk Rock, the Manhattan skyline is visible in the distance. Now return to the Ridge Trail and turn right. Almost immediately, the blue-blazed trail turns right, leaving the woods road. Follow the blue blazes as the trail descends on a wide, rocky path.

In another 0.3 mile (3.5 miles from the parking area), the Ridge Trail ends at a junction with the Silver Trail, a wide woods road. Turn right and follow the Silver Trail uphill for 650 feet. Just after a bridge over a stream, you will notice a path leaving to the left. Turn left here, soon passing three yellow-on-white blazes which mark the start of the Waterfall Trail. Continue along this rocky trail as it parallels the stream and passes the waterfall for which it is named. (The waterfall, which is about 100 feet to the left of the trail, may be difficult to spot in times of drought, when the stream is a mere trickle.) At 0.4 mile, the Waterfall Trail passes the ruin of a stone building, then turns left and crosses the stream on a wooden footbridge. It continues ahead on a level woods road and ends in another 0.2 mile at the Silver Trail. Turn right and follow the Silver Trail back to your car.