AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Ringwood State Park

Gatun Pond–Duck Pond, 5 sights

2.2 mi · ▲ 351 ft · 55 min

Gatun Pond–Duck Pond, 5 sights is a 2.2-mile out-and-back in Ringwood State Park near Skylands, NJ. The route passes Duck Pond before reaching Gatun Pond at the turnaround, 0.9 miles in. It climbs 351 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 68/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi577 – 725 ft2.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Five Ponds Loop Trail 41.11905, -74.23830
Nearest town Skylands, NJ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Gatun Pond–Duck Pond, 5 sights

2.2 mi · ▲ 351 ft · 55 min

Elevation 576–724 ft

Out & Back · Ringwood State Park

Trailhead: Five Ponds Loop Trail · 41.11905, -74.23830

Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:22 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading E.
  2. 0.2 miSharp right onto Defiance Road/Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading SW.
  3. 0.3 miPass Duck Pond.
  4. 50 ftBear left onto Defiance Road/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading E.
  5. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading S.
  6. 50 ftTurn right onto Defiance Road, heading S.
  7. 50 ftBear left onto Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading S.
  8. 0.2 miPass Gatun Pond.
  9. 100 ftBear right onto Boulder Way South, heading S.
  10. 50 ftTurn left onto Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading SE.
  11. 350 ftContinue straight onto Crossover Trail, heading S.
  12. 50 ftContinue straight onto Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading E.
  13. 450 ftReach Gatun Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  14. 450 ftContinue straight onto Crossover Trail, heading E.
  15. 100 ftContinue straight onto Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading E.
  16. 350 ftTurn right onto Boulder Way South, heading SW.
  17. 50 ftBear left onto Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading W.
  18. 0.2 miBear right onto Defiance Road, heading NW.
  19. 50 ftTurn left onto Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading N.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto Defiance Road/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading NE.
  21. 0.2 miBear right onto Defiance Road/Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading N.
  22. 0.3 miSharp left onto Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading N.
  23. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/gatun-pond-gatun-pond-out-back-6-sights

Trail surface

80% dirt20% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 7:22 PM

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Five Ponds Loop Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Skylands, New Jersey