Halifax Trail

Halifax Trail is a long-distance hiking route in Ramapo Valley County Reservation (Mahwah, Bergen County) that also reaches into Ringwood State Park. The route is blazed green and is commonly run as part of the Vista Loop/Halifax/Ridge Trail combinations around Scarlet Oak Pond and toward the Mt. Defiance area.

The most typical loop configuration that brings you back to the start is built around the Vista Loop; with Halifax included, the hike is about 4.5 to 5 miles depending on how you combine the loop components (including popular Vista Loop variations). The route is rated moderate to strenuous and involves substantial climbing, with reported elevation gain up to about 950 feet.

Halifax starts from the Ramapo Valley County Reservation parking area on Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) and quickly transitions from the paved/road approach into woods route sections. From there it descends gradually, then continues through valley terrain with junctions connecting to other blazed routes.

A key landmark along the Halifax link is the approach through/around Havemeyer Hollow and Havemeyer Brook, where you’ll cross the brook on rocks and pass old stone features associated with former agricultural use (the area is marked “Halifax Ruins” on the route map).

Near the upper portion of the linkage, Halifax connects into the Havemeyer Trail system, which climbs steadily and passes mine test pits (small pits with tailings) before reaching woods-road junctions where other routes (White Trail, Ridge Loop, and Vista Loop) come into play.

Several junctions along the broader Vista Loop/Halifax/Ridge complex route you back toward Scarlet Oak Pond and the Ramapo River corridor, where the day typically finishes by returning across the Ramapo River bridge to the parking area and the beginning of the route.

More information: Booking, Map, FIND A HIKE - Take a Hike!