Description:

The trail, described here in a counter-clockwise direction, starts at the information kiosk in the parking area. After turning right and proceeding through a hemlock grove, the trail ascends to reach a south-facing ridgetop at 0.4 mile. From a granite ledge, there are views of Harriman State Park, the Ramapo Valley and Sterling Forest. Just beyond, the red-blazed Furnace Loop Trail leaves to the right. Continue ahead along the ridgetop, following the cairns (small piles of stones placed to indicate the trail route), with seasonal views to the south. The Indian Hill Loop Trail then descends, crosses several stone walls, and turns right at a woods road. You may wish to detour to the left on this road, which leads in 100 yards to a dam and a picturesque pond.

The Indian Hill Loop Trail soon turns left, leaving this woods road, and it reaches the eastern trailhead of the Furnace Loop Trail at 1.2 miles. Next, the Indian Hill Loop Trail ascends along a bouldery route, at times steeply, to reach the eastern face of the ridgetop at 2.0 miles.

Now headed in a northerly direction, the trail provides views across the Ramapo Valley to Harriman State Park. Green Pond Mountain dominates the view, with the grassy Elk Pen in the foreground. The trail descends steeply on switchbacks and eventually turns left at a woods road between unusually wide stone walls. Soon, at 2.5 miles, the trail turns sharply right onto a footpath, passing massive oak and maple trees.

At 2.8 miles, the Indian Hill Loop Trail turns left, slightly uphill from a parallel stone wall. Here, to the right, a blue-blazed trail heads north for 0.4 mile to connect with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. Continuing west, the Indian Hill Loop Trail crosses more stone walls while passing through an old field and second-growth woodlands. The trail joins a woods road and, at a T junction, turns right (south) on the park entry road, soon passing the barrier gate to arrive back at the parking area at 3.6 miles.