Rugged, hilly, challenging route to Wyanokie High Point, Carris Hill, Buck Mountain and Chikahoki Falls with views of the NJ Highlands and NYC Skyline.
8.1 miles, total round trip. On the lower end of challenging only due to not having high mileage. Very rocky, relentless up-n-down (typical of the Highlands area of Jersey) plus scrambling in several areas.
- Similar but easier: High Point, Chik Falls, Otter Hole Loop.
- Longer: Add Will Monroe Loop for additional viewpoints. Noted below.
- Much Longer: Cross Otter Hole and add Torne Mountain/Osio Rock hike for an additional hilly/rugged 2.6 or 1.6 miles (round trip) and some more fine views. Noted below.
- Nearby: Apshawa Preserve; Apshawa Waterfall; Stonetown Circular; Lake Sonoma, Overlook Rock, Manaticut Point.
Hike Info:
Our two cents:
Don’t let the “low” mileage fool you, this is a hilly workout with some scrambles. Your payoff is tons of fantastic views plus waterfalls thrown in for good measure.
While everyone hikes at a different pace, for a rough idea this took us 5.75 hours including breaks for photos and snacks.
Fun Fact: Norvin Green State Forest is named for Norvin Hewitt Green who donated the land to the State of New Jersey in 1946. Norvin was the nephew of Abram S. Hewitt who owned Ringwood Manor (and also has a park named after him). [Source: The New Jersey Walk Book]
Updated: 7/2023 – Page updated; adjusted for WHITE trail changes (end points of Lower and Post Brook changed); portions re-hiked as part of another route. Older change log at page bottom.
Related: Challenging Hikes in NJ overview page.
Map:
We do really recommend getting the Northern New Jersey Highlands Trails Map for this.
Not only because there is such an intricate network of trails in this park and this map includes unmarked trails but also because it is topographic… so you can see all those hills comin’ up…
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
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.
Books:
A longer variation and map diagram can be found in 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: New York City and another variation can be found in Take a Hike New York City.
A shorter Wyanokie High Point hike is in Hiking New Jersey (2023), two other ones in 50 Hikes in New Jersey and shorter Norvin hikes can be found in Hiking the Jersey Highlands.
Detailed trail descriptions can be found in the The New Jersey Walk Book.
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.
Hike Directions:
Overview: Otter Hole (GREEN) – Hewitt-Butler (BLUE) – Carris Hill (YELLOW) – Lower (WHITE) – Hewitt-Butler (BLUE) – Otter Hole (GREEN) – Wyanokie Crest (YEL) – Unmarked woods road – Otter Hole (GREEN)
0.0 – Pick up Otter Hole (GREEN) on the gravel road that runs from the end of the parking lot and runs along the 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, Otter Hole (GREEN) trail goes by the Highlands Natural Pool, passing a water cascade and crossing a foot bridge.
After a short rocky section, 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)]
0.5 – Continue following Hewitt-Butler (BLUE) [Mine (YELLOW) leaves to the left.] Head steepily uphill passing some viewpoints.
0.9 – Continue following Hewitt-Butler (BLUE) [Pass WHITE (Macopin) on the right]. Head uphill past a large glacial erratic with a BLUE blaze on it.
Cross sections of 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.
Start following RED on WHITE CIRCLE (WCI) by walking around the right side and the rock and scrambling up behind it.
[BLUE (Hewitt Butler) leaves to the right, RED on WHITE CIRCLE (WCI) and TEAL DIAMOND (Highlands) also goes to the right].
Continue up an eroded gully filled with exposed roots and large rocks.
Then climb up a long slanted slab of bare rock. If it’s super duper wet, or icy, going up the slab here may not be something you want to do as this route is going to take you back down it too.
Arrive at Wyanokie High Point – a large open area of rock with 360° degree views and plenty of places to take a break.
Head over to the far end to spot the New York City skyline – if it’s a clear day.
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)].
Panorama from Wyanokie High Point, with the Wanaque reservoir seen in the center:
Backtrack, going back down the slab to the junction with the big rock and the trail signs. Head LEFT to again follow Hewitt-Butler (BLUE) [also blazed Highlands (Teal Diamond) and Wyanokie Circular (RED on WHITE CIRCLE)].
1.4 – Continue on Hewitt-Butler (BLUE)/Highlands (Teal Diamond). [Wyanokie Circular (RED on WHITE CIRCLE) leaves to the right].
Cross some potentially wet low areas while on Hewitt-Butler (BLUE)/Highlands (Teal Diamond).
2.1 – A little bit of a scramble up to Carris Hill viewpoint.
Turn to the left to look over to Wyanokie High Point and spot hikers enjoying the view from where you just were.
Zoomed in to Wyanokie High Point from Carris Hill:
There are several trail markings… look for a yellow CH and an arrow painted on the rock, to start following the Carris Hill (YELLOW) trail.
[Hewitt-Butler (BLUE) and Highlands (Teal Diamond) leave, heading to “O-H PRKG”].
2.3 – Short scramble down after a large glacial erratic.
Head steeply downhill on short switchbacks with a few lovely viewpoints along the way as the NYC skyline gets closer (visible only if it’s a clear day).
2.9 – Carris Hill (YELLOW) ends at an intersection with Lower (WHITE) and Posts Brook (BLACK on WHITE). There are wooden arrow signs for “Carris Hill” and “Weis 2.4 miles”.
Turn RIGHT to now follow Lower (WHITE).
This intersection has been improved 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’ll still be following WHITE.
3.3 – Chikahoki Falls. The trail approaches it from the side and then continues up along side the falls to the top.
Optional: Cross the stream to get a front view of the falls. The feasibility of this depends on water levels/flow and the location of logs or rocks to cross on. Makes for a nice break spot.
One time we crossed it required using a fallen log, more recently we’ve encountered rocks piled into a walkway.
The rock hop after a lot of recent rain (July 2023). We didn’t feel the risk-to-reward ratio was in our favor – why risk wet feet or falling – so we didn’t bother crossing. But then we’ve also seen Chikahoki Falls lots of times.
Chikahoki Falls viewed after crossing the stream:
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.
3.4 – Start following Hewitt-Butler (BLUE)/Highlands (Teal Diamond). 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.
3.8 – Continue following Hewitt-Butler (BLUE)/Highlands (Teal Diamond) as Wyanokie Crest (YELLOW) crosses the path.
Continue on BLUE (Hewitt-Butler)/TEAL (Highlands Trail) [Unmarked trail on left].
4.4 – At the intersection with Otter Hole (GREEN), follow BLUE (Hewitt-Butler) to the LEFT for a short side trip out-and-back to the cascade at Otter Hole. (Or, you can skip it.) Otter Hole makes a nice 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.
// Longer option: If adding the Torne Mountain/Osio Rock hike to make this a really long route, continue beyond Otter Hole via a sometimes tricky rock hop to a parking area on Glenwild Avenue. //
Instead, clamber down the left side of the rocks to view the cascades of Otter Hole.
Like all waterfalls or cascades, more water is better. 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).
4.8 – Turn LEFT to now follow Wyanokie Crest (YELLOW)/Highlands (Teal Diamond). Sign: Weis/Pkg is 1.6 miles. [GREEN (Otter Hole) continues ahead, YELLOW (Wyanokie Crest) also goes right].
// Shorter option: Otter Hole (GREEN) continues straight and can be used to shorten this route some if you’ve had enough. //
The trail climbs steeply up Buck Mountain, with some scrambling over angled rock slabs. This is more scrambly than it appears:
Panoramic views back over most of Norvin Green State Forest from the top of Buck Mountain.
Continue following Wyanokie Crest (YELLOW)/Highlands (Teal Diamond).
5.1 – At an open rock slab, there are views to the west and of the New York City skyline. Nice break spot with a large shady tree.
Turn sharply right to continue following Wyanokie Crest (YELLOW)/Highlands (Teal Diamond) along the ridge of Buck Mountain.
5.3 – Continue following just Wyanokie Crest (YELLOW) now as the Highlands (Teal Diamond) trail leaves to the left.
6.6 – Turn RIGHT onto an obvious unmarked woods road that crosses Wyanokie Crest (YELLOW).
// Longer option: We have not tried this, as usually by this point we are already focused on what flavor coffee or ice cream we are having post-hike, but include it for those looking to add another loop with viewpoints:
- Instead of turning right onto the woods road, continue straight on Wyanokie Crest (YELLOW) until it ends. Take Will Monroe Loop (PINK) around, then make a LEFT on Wyanokie Circular (RED on WHITE CIRCLE). Follow that back and make a LEFT onto the unmarked woods road, then veer LEFT on on Otter Hole (GREEN).
You may spot a few old faded white blazes on the unmarked woods road. It’s rocky, eroded and potentially very wet but if it is you can walk on the higher edges on either side of the road.
6.9 – Veer LEFT and start following Otter Hole (GREEN) [Otter Hole (GREEN) also veers right].
Otter Hole (GREEN) continues on a mostly level but rocky woods road then veers up to the left back onto a trail. Pass stone building remains on the right. Cross Blue Mine Brook on rocks.
7.7 – At the trail kiosk from earlier, turn LEFT, continuing on Otter Hole (GREEN) as it passes the Highlands Natural Pool and leads back to the parking lot.
(Hikers with dogs, follow the signs and the paved road back instead).
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Hiked: 4/14/18. Trail Blog: “High Point, Carris Hill, and Buck Mountain in Spring“
Hiked: 10/2/11. Trail Blog: “Norvin Green: Wyanokie High Point, Carris Hill, Buck Mtn.“
Updated: 7/2020 – Page refreshed, not re-hiked. 4/2018 – Re-hiked, updated description/GPX/Interactive Map; route slightly modified to turn onto a unmarked woods road earlier.