Hiking on the Ramapo Mountains, New Jersey

Hiking in the Ramapo Mountains is a fun experience filled with adventure. You will usually see another person up there walking their dog, riding their bicycle or jogging up the mountain. There are several lakes off cannon ball trail which runs through several towns. There are entrances to this trail at Pompton Lakes, New Jersey off of Colfax Ave. as well as in RIngwood off Skyline Dr.

The trail gets rough at times and it does go sharply up hill. There are more difficult trails then others marked by their colors. Obviously, if a trail looks too difficult for you, don't take it. There is a full variety of wildlife in these mountains, so never hike alone, and if you do make sure you bring a cellphone for Christ sake.

There are several lakes and ponds up here. There is Bear Swamp Lake which is a huge lake at the top of the Ringwood trail. There are ponds all along your way you will probably see, as well as a castle at the top of the Ringwood trail as well. The castle is in bad shape, so don't expect too much, there is no roof or anything, just old stones of the structure. It is pretty impressive though. The view is also impressive, you can see for miles and miles off the top of one of these mountains. You can hike for miles and miles, in fact you could probably hike all through these mountains for hundreds of miles. Fishing at Bear Swamp Lake is excellent as well and you will catch many bass,perch and catfish up here.

The trail is a good challenging trail with many, many twist and turns and sights and land marks. Lakes, old ruins, ponds, people, and wild life, it doesn't get much better then this when it comes to hiking. There is just miles and miles of trails back here and Cannon Ball Trail is just one of the many trails that are back here.

In conclusion, hiking in the Ramapo Mountains is experience for you and your family. There are many activities like fishing,biking,hiking and sight seeing you could do from up here. You can find a spot and have a picnic or walk your dog. It is pretty much a place to do whatever you want, come during the spring,summer and fall to enjoy one of the best spots to hike and fish in the north east.