Ramapo Valley County Reservation Loop Hike: Scarlet Oak Pond, Bald Mountain, Bear Swamp Lake, MacMillan Reservoir

Starting from the Darlington side of Ramapo Valley County Reservation, this loop follows Vista Spur Trail toward the Ramapo River before joining Pond Loop Trail beside Scarlet Oak Pond. The route soon leaves the water on Vista Loop, climbing through the forest to Hawk Rock and Cactus Ledge, where open rock ledges frame the wooded Ramapo Valley and the pond below.

Beyond the vista area, the hike continues on Halifax Trail toward the Havemeyer Reservoir Basin, then follows Woods Road into the quieter northern part of the Ramapo Mountains. This more secluded section leads to Bald Mountain, giving the itinerary a wilder ridge-and-woodland character before it turns back south.

The return links Halifax Trail and Hoeferlin Memorial Trail toward Bear Swamp Lake, then follows Shore Trail and Rocky Mountain Connector through a landscape of lakeside forest, rocky slopes and sheltered wetlands. Ridge Loop Trail and MacMillan Reservoir add another scenic water feature before Vista-Ridge Connector, Pond Loop Trail and Vista Spur Trail bring the route back past Scarlet Oak Pond and the Ramapo River lowlands to the trailhead.

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