Van Slyke Castle Ruins Hike
The trail runs along a stream which you ll either have to cross over or else take the long way around.
Van slyke castle ruins hike. Steep climb to the historic van slyke castle. There are several different hiking trails from this area that will take you to the castle ruins. Length 2 3 mi elevation gain 462 ft route type loop. Hike a little further and you are rewarded with outstanding views and get to explore the ruins of the van slyke castle.
A moderate uphill climb and stream crossing will take you up towards ramapo lake. Built in the early 1900s van slyke castle previously known as foxcroft transitioned through multiple owners until the final blow to the property came when vandals burned the mansion in 1959. Once inhabited by the widow of a wealthy businessman van slyke castle now sits in the middle of a local hiking area overgrown by earth and entangled in unforgiving vines. Slightly challenging but doable by the average hiker.
Entrance van slyke castle ruins the details i parked in this little parking lot off of skyline drive in nj. Majority of the ramapo hiking trails are marked as difficult by the nj state park and forest department. Van slyke castle loop is a 2 3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near oakland new jersey that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Here s your need to know guide.
The highlight of this hike is the van slyke castle ruins but the trails are enjoyable as well. On a cold windy day the trails were mostly deserted except for the area around the lake and at the castle ruins. The van slyke castle ruins can be found in ramapo state forest located in bergen and passaic counties. While this is a firm trail it is pretty rocky throughout.
Moderate trail surface enough ups and downs to wear you out. The direct hike to the van slyke castle ruins is about a mile and a half. If you park in the skyline drive lot you ll begin your trek at the macevoy trail. Hiking van slyke castle and water tower ruins the hiking trails in ramapo s state forest are not the easiest.
The trail is primarily used for hiking running and nature trips. Watch out for tons of poison ivy ramapo mountain state forest we kept going and did a 9 8 mile loop. The foundations and remains still stand today as part of the ramapo mountain state forest. Tucked away in the hills of ramapo reservation are the haunting and crumbling remains of a former early 1900s castle.
Following the blazes take two left turns then a right as the trail approaches the shoreline. Want to learn more.