AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Ringwood State Park

Ridge Overlook–Ringwood-Ramapo Viewpoint, 10 sights

9.2 mi · ▲ 1,534 ft · 3 hr 50 min

Ridge Overlook–Ringwood-Ramapo Viewpoint, 10 sights is a 9.2-mile out-and-back in Ringwood State Park near Skylands, NJ. The route passes Ringwood-Ramapo Viewpoint and Glasmere Ponds before reaching Ridge Overlook at the turnaround, 4.6 miles in. It climbs 1,534 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 70/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi591 – 1,027 ft · steepest grade: 24%9.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Five Ponds Loop Trail 41.12013, -74.23815
Nearest town Skylands, NJ
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Ridge Overlook–Ringwood-Ramapo Viewpoint, 10 sights

9.2 mi · ▲ 1,534 ft · 3 hr 50 min

Elevation 592–1,026 ft

Out & Back · Ringwood State Park

Trailhead: Five Ponds Loop Trail · 41.12013, -74.23815

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading SE.
  2. 0.2 miSharp right onto Defiance Road/Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading SW.
  3. 450 ftSharp left onto The Knob, heading NE.
  4. 0.3 miBear left onto Ringwood-Ramapo Trail, heading SE.
  5. 0.2 miPass Ringwood-Ramapo Viewpoint.
  6. 150 ftBear right onto Skylands Trail, heading NE.
  7. 350 ftBear right onto Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading E.
  8. 0.3 miPass Glasmere Ponds.
  9. 200 ftTurn right onto Midwood Road/Five Ponds Loop Trail/Mountain Bike Loop/Race Trail, heading S.
  10. 300 ftBear left onto Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading NE.
  11. 0.3 miSharp right onto Weyble Pond Road/Mountain Bike Loop/Race Trail, heading E.
  12. 50 ftBear left onto Halifax Trail, heading E.
  13. 0.2 miTurn right onto Tennesee Gas Service Road, heading SE.
  14. 1.2 miTurn left onto Halifax Trail, heading S.
  15. 0.4 miTurn right onto White Trail, heading S.
  16. 0.6 miBear right onto Havemeyer / White Trail, heading SE.
  17. 450 ftContinue straight onto White Trail, heading SE.
  18. 0.4 miBear right onto Vista Loop Trail, heading SE.
  19. 400 ftTurn left onto Ridge Loop Trail, heading S.
  20. 100 ftBear right onto Ridge/Vista Loop Trail, heading S.
  21. 0.1 miTurn right onto Vista Loop Trail, heading S.
  22. 150 ftBear left, heading S.
  23. 100 ftReach Ridge Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  24. 250 ftTurn left onto Ridge/Vista Loop Trail, heading SE.
  25. 500 ftBear left onto Ridge Loop Trail, heading S.
  26. 100 ftTurn right onto Vista Loop Trail, heading SE.
  27. 400 ftBear left onto White Trail, heading S.
  28. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Havemeyer / White Trail, heading N.
  29. 450 ftBear left onto White Trail, heading N.
  30. 0.6 miTurn left onto Halifax Trail, heading NW.
  31. 0.4 miTurn right onto Tennesee Gas Service Road, heading N.
  32. 1.2 miTurn left onto Halifax Trail, heading NW.
  33. 0.2 miBear right onto Weyble Pond Road/Mountain Bike Loop/Race Trail, heading NW.
  34. 50 ftSharp left onto Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading NW.
  35. 0.3 miBear right onto Midwood Road/Five Ponds Loop Trail/Mountain Bike Loop/Race Trail, heading NW.
  36. 300 ftTurn left onto Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading N.
  37. 0.3 miBear left onto Skylands Trail, heading NW.
  38. 400 ftBear left onto Ringwood-Ramapo Trail, heading NW.
  39. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  40. 50 ftContinue straight onto The Knob, heading W.
  41. 0.2 miSharp right onto Defiance Road/Crossover/Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading SW.
  42. 450 ftSharp left onto Five Ponds Loop Trail, heading SW.
  43. 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/ridge-overlook-ringwood-ramapo-viewpoint-out-back-12-sights

Trail surface

68% dirt2% gravel30% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 7:22 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:02 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:22 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:50 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Five Ponds Loop Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Skylands, New Jersey