Wanaque Ridge Loop

Back Beach Park /
Wanaque Reserve /
Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Indian Rock Trail: Red blaze
Pete's Path: Red/Yellow blaze
Wanaque Ridge Trail: Orange blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.3 Miles

Pros: Nice views and quiet area
Cons: Noise from highway, Lack of shade on ridge
Hike Type: Eight Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/9xmPLcjfCUbMQZ156

Wyanokie Ridge is a narrow ridge with views on both sides, on the eastern flank of the Wanaque Reservoir. The Wanaque Ridge Trail goes along this trail, and connects to the many trails in the Ramapo Mountain State Forest. The hike starts at Back Beach Park, a nice local park in Wanaque, NJ, and crosses the Wanaque River over a narrow step stone bridge.

There are multiple unmarked trails across the river and some go up the ridge with a shortcut to Pete's Path. I took Pete's Path up the Wanaque Ridge along the ridge, then down the hill Profile Rock, a rock with a creepy face, and then took the parallel unmarked trail below the ridge back to Pete's Path. I then took another connector trail back to the Wanaque River which i then took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Indian Rock Trail Trailhead

Wyanokie Ridge Behind the Ball Field

Old Marker about the Bridge

Bridge Crossing the Wanaque River

Wanaque River

Old Trail Signs

Wanaque Ridge Trail

View Along the Wanaque Ridge Trail

Wanaque Reservoir and the Main Dam

Looking to Castle Hill in Ramapo Mountain Forest

Split Rock

Latern Fly. These Invasive Pests should be Killed

Windbeam Mountain in the Distance

Profile Rock. Note the Creepy Face.