Chikahoki Falls, Otter Hole, and a 360° view from Wyanokie High Point, including NYC on a clear day.
Norvin Green State Forest is located in the New Jersey Highlands near the Wanaque Reservoir and offers a variety of rugged terrain for short hikes with outstanding views to long, challenging loops for the experienced hiker.
7.6 miles. Rugged, rocky, with a few decent elevation changes. There is an extensive trail system so it’s easy to create other shorter or longer loops.
- Short: 2.6 miles: Out-and-back to the amazing view at High Point. Noted in the description below.
- Same lot, challenging variation: Wyanokie High Point, Carris Hill, Buck Mountain.
- Nearby: Torne Mountain/Osio Rock; Horse Pond Mountain to Lake Sonoma Loop; Stonetown Circular; Lake Sonoma, Overlook Rock, Manaticut Point; Apshawa Preserve; Apshawa Waterfall.
Hike Info:
Our two cents:
Wyanokie High Point has one of the best views in the state, but Norvin Green State Forest also contains some of the most rugged terrain. Beginners or casual hikers may want to stick with a short hike to the view and back.
Chikahoki Falls, cascades along Posts Brook, and Otter Hole falls are most impressive after heavy rain but there may be wet sections on trails.
Fun Fact: Why is this park called Norvin Green State Forest? Because Norvin Hewitt Green donated the land to the State of New Jersey in 1946. Norvin was the nephew of Ringwood Manor owner Abram S. Hewitt (who also has a park named after him and includes other great hikes like Bearfort Ridge – Surprise Lake). [Source: The New Jersey Walk Book].
Updated: 7/2023 – Page updated; adjusted for WHITE trail changes (end points of Lower and Post Brook changed); re-hiked. Older change log at page bottom.
Map:
Northern New Jersey Highlands Trails Map. Follow along on your smartphone with our Interactive Map link above.
Note! The trail map on the NJ State Park site (version dated 7/19) has the location of Wyanokie High Point in the totally wrong spot, putting after the intersection with the WHITE (Lower) trail.
Related: Waterfalls in NJ / Best Waterfall Hikes in NJ
Books:
Different routes that include High Point are in 50 Hikes in New Jersey, Hiking New Jersey (2023), Hike of the Week, and Take a Hike New York City.
A longer, very challenging route is detailed in 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: New York City. Hiking the Jersey Highlands contains 6 shorter hikes with trail descriptions and maps – but it’s now out of print and hard to find.
Parking: N41.06986° W74.32171°
139 Snake Den Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456. Rt 287 to exit 55, take 511 N (Wanaque), continue through Wanaque for several miles. Make a left onto West Brook Rd. Continue across Reservoir.
At the T-intersection, turn left. Then make the 2nd left on to Snake Den Road. There should be a sign for The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation and the Highlands Natural Pool.
Continue uphill and bear left on Snake Den, past some houses until arriving at a dirt lot on the right-hand side. Note! Parking allowed from 9 am to dusk.
Restrooms:
Best bet is a gas station or Quick Chek on Rt. 511. The restrooms at the New Weis Center are not open to hikers.
Hike Directions:
Overview: GREEN (Otter Hole) – BLUE (Hewitt Butler) – RED on WHITE CIRCLE (WCI) – WHITE (Lower) – BLUE (Hewitt Butler) – GREEN (Otter Hole).
0.0 – Start following GREEN (Otter Hole) on the gravel road that runs from the end of the parking lot, by the gate and some signs, between a stream and a field.
Hikers with dogs: Follow the signs to walk along the paved road to meet up with the trail kiosk at 0.4 below.
After the field, GREEN (Otter Hole) goes to the right of the Highlands Natural Pool and then veers left where there are several different trail markers on a tree in addition to GREEN (Otter Hole).
Head uphill past a few water cascades, through a rocky section and bridge, then cross a woods road to a trail kiosk.
0.4 – At the trail kiosk (“Richard N Warner Kiosk”,) start following Hewitt-Butler (BLUE).
[GREEN (Otter Hole) goes right, YELLOW DOT on WHITE CIRCLE (Mine) starts and is co-aligned with Hewitt-Butler (BLUE)]
0.6 – Continue following Hewitt-Butler (BLUE). [YELLOW (Mine) trail leaves to the left].
Continue steeply uphill past short side trails to several (limited) viewpoints – a preview of things to come.
1.0 – Continue following Hewitt-Butler (BLUE). [Pass WHITE (Macopin) on the right]
Head uphill past a large glacial erratic with a BLUE blaze on it.
Scamper over bare rocks on the way to Wyanokie High Point.
1.2 – At trees with multiple markings, follow the HI POINT arrow sign towards the large rock painted with “HI POINT” and RED on WHITE CIRCLE (WCI) and TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) blazes.
[BLUE (Hewitt Butler) leaves to the right, RED on WHITE CIRCLE (WCI) and TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) also goes to the right].
This next section is a little steep and more technical than an average trail but isn’t very long – and the payoff is worth it.
Start following RED on WHITE CIRCLE (WCI) by walking around the right side and the rock and scrambling up behind it.
Continue up an eroded gully filled with exposed roots and large rocks.
Then climb up a long slanted slab of bare rock, watching for any wet areas that may be slippery (this photo was after recent heavy rain).
1.3 – Arrive at Wyanokie High Point for a 360-degree view and a large area of open rock slabs. This is a terrific spot for a break.
Fun Fact: Wyanokie is a variation of the Native American Lenape word Winaki. It was first written down by a Frenchman who spelled it phonetically, Wanaque. [Sources: The New Jersey Walk Book and Hiking New Jersey (2023)].
On a clear day, the New York City skyline is visible. From Wyanokie High Point looking towards New York City, and zoomed in to the skyline:
View of the Wanaque Reservoir from High Point.
Panorama from Wyanokie High Point, with the Wanaque reservoir seen in the center:
There are plenty of spots to take a break, and a few trees to sit under to keep out of the sun. Be sure to walk all around the rock slabs for different vantage angles.
Shorter option / variation from this point:
Following this guide takes you down off of High Point into a section of quiet, shady forest and then on to waterfalls. But from here you also choose:
Shorter, 2.6 miles total round trip: For many hikers, getting to High Point is the goal. Retrace the route from this point and still get a rewarding hike in.
Variation, harder, 7.2 miles total round trip: In a park full of awesome trails, it’s hard to choose a “best” route. Here’s an alternative that’s harder but has more views and is a little shorter, compared to the more gradual, easier-going but mainly forested Lower trail that this guide uses:
- INSTEAD, turn around and scramble back down from Wyanokie High Point to the junction with “Hi Point” on the rock.
- Follow Hewitt-Butler (BLUE)/TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) to the LEFT. This leads to more views at Yoo-Hoo Point and Carris Hill.
- From there, follow YELLOW (Carris) steeply downhill across multiple view points for more views.
- Meet up with this description at 3.4 miles below and turn RIGHT on to WHITE (Lower) and continue on to the waterfalls.
- For an extension of this variation… check out “Wyanokie High Point, Carris Hill, Buck Mountain”.
From Wyanokie High Point, continue following the RED on WHITE CIRCLE (WCI) and TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) markers on the rocks.
Steadily descend through an open area. A short side trail leads to a viewpoint (similar to what you’ve seen up top) before reentering the shade of the forest and leveling off. The beginning might be a little overgrown just coming off the viewpoint but soon opens up.
2.0 – Turn RIGHT to start following WHITE (Lower). This is just before a stream crossing.
Don’t continue straight on RED on WHITE CIRCLE (WCI) and TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) over the stream. The intersection is well marked but it’s easy to waltz right on by the start of WHITE because the gurgling stream (and perhaps a little cascade) beckons you.
Continue following WHITE (Lower) as it meanders through the forest. There’s no views or anything in particular in this stretch to point out but it tends to be more peaceful than the more popular areas of the park.
3.4 – Continue following WHITE (Lower) ahead at an intersection with wooden arrow signs for “Carris Hill” and “Weis 2.4 miles”. [YELLOW (Carris) starts to the right and BLACK on WHITE (Posts Brook) ends to the left].
This intersection had been improved since we last hiked and is no longer confusing. If you are using a map older than the 2021 Northern New Jersey Highlands Trails Map the trails will have different names in this spot but you are still following WHITE.
Continue following WHITE (Lower), getting closer to the waterfall.
3.7 – Chikahoki Falls, seen from the side (and after heavy rain) when on WHITE (Lower).
To view the falls from the front instead of the side requires a rock hop – if water level allows it. Years ago we used fallen trees or the occasional plank that would appear here but now there are rocks piled into a walkway.
If the water level is enough that falls are really kickin’ then it’s probably not the best ideas to try to get in front.
This photo above was taken after recent heavy rain (July 2023) and while the rocks are visible we didn’t feel it was worth it to try dancing across the rocks. But then we’ve also seen Chikahoki a ton of times.
Continue following WHITE (Lower) up sharply to the right as it passes by the top of the falls.
Posts Brook can be seen through the trees on the left before WHITE (Lower) starts moving away from it. There may be several more large cascades on the stream when water is high.
3.8 – Start following BLUE (Hewitt-Butler) and TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands). There’s a wooden sign for “O-H PRKG” (Otter Hole parking). [WHITE (Lower) ends. BLUE (Hewitt-Butler) and TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) also go to the right].
Soon after is a stream crossing on rocks or a log.
4.2 – Continue on BLUE (Hewitt-Butler)/TEAL (Highlands Trail) passing YELLOW (Wyanokie Crest) on the right and then left.
4.4 – Continue on BLUE (Hewitt-Butler)/TEAL (Highlands Trail) [Unmarked trail on left].
4.7 – Junction of BLUE (Hewitt-Butler)/TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) and the start of GREEN (Otter Hole) on the right.
The hike will continue on GREEN (Otter Hole) but first continue on BLUE (Hewitt-Butler) to check out Otter Hole – a nice water cascade that makes for a good break spot.
At the top of Otter Hole is the continuation of BLUE (Hewitt-Butler) and a water crossing over a jumble of rocks – don’t continue over these. [Beyond the water crossing is the Otter Hole parking that leads to another great hike: Torne Mountain/Osio Rock.]
Instead, clamber down the left side of the rocks to view the cascades of Otter Hole.
Like all waterfalls or cascades, the more water the merrier. The top photo is after heavy rain (July 2023), the second is with less flow.
Retrace to the junction with GREEN. Start following GREEN (Otter Hole)/TEAL DIAMOND(Highlands).
5.2 – Sign: Weis/Pkg is 1.6 miles. Continue straight, now following just GREEN (Otter Hole). [YELLOW (Wyanokie Crest) crosses the trail, TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) leaves to the left].
5.3 – A limited overlook on the left. Continue on GREEN (Otter Hole), mostly level with minor elevation change.
6.1 – Continue on GREEN (Otter Hole). [RED (WCI – Wyanokie Circular) crosses left and right]. Signs with “Weis 1.3 miles” and “HI-POINT”.
6.4 – Continue on GREEN (Otter Hole). [WHITE (Macopin) starts on the right and leads to High Point.]
Continue on GREEN (Otter Hole) as it joins, leaves, and rejoins a rocky woods road. Pass stone building remains on the right. Cross Blue Mine Brook on rocks.
7.2 – At the trail kiosk from the beginning of the hike, turn LEFT to follow GREEN (Otter Hole) back to the lot. (Hikers with dogs, follow the signs and the paved road back instead).
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Hiked: 7/17/23.
Hiked: 7/2/16. Trail Blog: “Wyanokie High Point and Chikahoki Falls in Summer“
Hiked: 4/24/16. Variation, from Otter Hole lot. Trail Blog: “Otter Hole, Chikahoki Falls, Carris Hill, and High Point in Spring“
Hiked: 10/26/15. Variation, HP/Carris Hill/Mines/Ball Mtn.
Hiked: 6/1/14. Trail Blog: “Panoramic Views and Waterfalls“
Hiked: 8/30/13: Variation from Glenwild Ave. Trail Blog:”Wyanokie Crest, Carris Hill, High Point“
Hiked: 4/25/09. Trail Blog: “High Point, Chik Falls and Otter Hole loop”
Hiked: 1/5/08. 5.9m; Icy; variation. Trail Blog: “Norvin Green“.
Hiked: 10/29/06. 6.1m; variation. Trail Blog: “Wyanokie Crest Trail“
Hiked: 10/15/06. 8m; variation. Trail Blog: “Norvin Green – High Point“
Updated: 2/2022 – Trail map info. 5/2020 – Page refreshed, not re-hiked. 8/2017 – Minor edits/updates. 7/2016 – New video added; re-hiked. 6/2014 – Revised description, new photos, and GPX; re-hiked.