South Mountain Reservation

Orange Reservoir–West Ridge Sunset Point, 3 sights

3.6 mi · ▲ 303 ft · 1 hr 21 min

Orange Reservoir–West Ridge Sunset Point, 3 sights is a 3.6-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Reservation near Newstead, NJ. The route passes Orange Reservoir and Orange Reservoir before reaching West Ridge Sunset Point at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It climbs 303 ft. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi299 – 571 ft4.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unblazed Trail 40.75774, -74.28958
Nearest town Newstead, NJ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Orange Reservoir–West Ridge Sunset Point, 3 sights

3.6 mi · ▲ 303 ft · 1 hr 21 min

Elevation 298–572 ft

Out & Back · South Mountain Reservation

Trailhead: Unblazed Trail · 40.75774, -74.28958

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:29 AM · sunset 7:25 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Unblazed Trail, heading N.
  2. 0.1 miPass Orange Reservoir.
  3. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  4. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  5. 0.3 miSharp left, heading NW.
  6. 50 ftPass Orange Reservoir.
  7. 350 ftTurn right, heading W.
  8. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  9. 450 ftTurn right onto Oakdale Trail (Red), heading W.
  10. 0.2 miSharp left onto Oakdale Trail, heading NE.
  11. 0.2 miContinue straight onto West Ridge Trail, heading W.
  12. 50 ftTurn left onto Lenape Trail (Yellow), heading N.
  13. 350 ftBear right onto Oakdale Trail, heading N.
  14. 50 ftContinue straight onto Lenape Trail (Yellow), heading W.
  15. 100 ftContinue straight onto West Ridge Trail, heading S.
  16. 250 ftContinue straight onto Lenape Trail (Yellow), heading S.
  17. 0.7 miPass West Ridge Sunset Point.
  18. 100 ftReach Orange Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 0.7 miContinue straight onto West Ridge Trail, heading NE.
  20. 250 ftContinue straight onto Lenape Trail (Yellow), heading NE.
  21. 100 ftContinue straight onto Oakdale Trail, heading NE.
  22. 50 ftBear left onto Lenape Trail (Yellow), heading N.
  23. 350 ftTurn right onto West Ridge Trail, heading N.
  24. 50 ftContinue straight onto Oakdale Trail, heading N.
  25. 0.2 miSharp right onto Oakdale Trail (Red), heading N.
  26. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
  27. 450 ftTurn right, heading S.
  28. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  29. 350 ftSharp right, heading W.
  30. 0.3 miSharp right, heading E.
  31. 50 ftTurn left onto Unblazed Trail, heading E.
  32. 450 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

53% dirt47% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:29 AMSunset 7:25 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~33 min). Leave by 6:32 PM for the 7:25 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Unblazed Trail Trailhead