Vista Loop at Ramapo Reservation Winter Hike

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Vista Loop Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:00 Hours
Estimated Distance: 3.6 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Points of Interest: Scenic areas, views and lakes
Cons: Area can be very busy

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

I had hiked the new Vista Loop Trail about two years ago, and wanted to make another trip to do the loop in the opposite direction. We parked at the main parking area, and crossed the Ramapo River, which was flowing very strongly due to all the recent rain.

We took the southern part of the Vista Loop first, and went past the waterfall on the new trail made closer to the waterfall view. The waterfall was impressive as well due to the rainfall, and it looks like the rangers removed the large fallen tree in the middle of the falls.

we continued to the MacMillan Reservoir, then climbed up to the Rocky View through a short spur. We continued towards Cactus Ledge, and then looped back down towards Hawk Rock, getting some nice views along the way, and then headed down to the end of the trail at Scarlet Oak Pond, and taking the path back over the bridge over the Ramapo River and back to our car.

Map of the Route

An Overflowing Mahwah River

Scarlet Oak Reservoir at the Beginning of the Hike

Me at the Beginning of the Vista Loop Hike 

New Signage at the Vista Loop Trail

Me at the Waterfall

Waterfall at Ramapo Reservation

Another View of the Waterfall

Me in Front of the Waterfall

Spillway over the Dam at the MacMillan Reservoir

MacMillan Reservoir from the Dam

Another View of MacMillan Reservoir

Climbing up the Rockface Away from MacMillan Reservoir

Moss Growth over a Rock Outcrop

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At the First View

Light Snow Dusting at the Upper Area of the Hike

New Trail Signage

View from Cactus Ledge

Ramapo College from Cactus Ledge

Scarlet Oak Pond from Cactus Ledge

Hawk Rock and Scarlet Oak Pond

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