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Wanaque Ridge

4.3 ★★★★☆ 42 Google reviews · Running trail in Wanaque, New Jersey · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Wanaque Ridge's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Open 24hScenicTrailhead parking

What runners say about Wanaque Ridge

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (42 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Beautiful views and a nice park, you'll enjoy a nice walk in the park with the spectacular views.”

This ridge offers scenic views of Norvin State Forest and Wanaque Reservoir. There are several ways to get there. The best way is to park your car at Back Beach Park off 511, where parking spaces are always availabe. I feel safe because of the frequent police car patrols.

★★★★★ — Illsoo , Apr 2018

Beautiful views over Wanaque. I highly recommend taking the hike. Very low cell phone single along the trail so be safe. I did see a rather large bear and bald eagle so it was well worth the walk.

★★★★★ — Nick , Mar 2023

Did a great hike here. Visited the castle on top. View is amazing. Great find! Beginner to intermediate hiking trail.

★★★★★ — Bert , May 2025

Nice place to hike with a lot of trails up to ramapo lake. Saw 4 beautiful bears it was awesome watching them

★★★★★ — Simpleman , Jun 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 42 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 20 mentions

“Beautiful views and a nice park, you'll enjoy a nice walk in the park with the spectacular views.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“The best way is to park your car at Back Beach Park off 511, where parking spaces are always availabe.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Wanaque Ridge

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitepassaicriver.org
  • Phone+1 973-532-9830

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Wanaque Ridge

Haskell, Wanaque, NJ 07465

Get directions

Running trails near Wanaque

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Back Beach Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 256 reviews

Haskell, NJ

Scenic

Open park featuring baseball fields and multiple playgrounds for kids to enjoy.

under a mile away

Red & Cannonball Trail Intersection

4 ★★★★☆ 1 reviews

Wanaque, NJ

under a mile away

Orange Trail & Orange Black Trail Head

4 ★★★★☆ 1 reviews

Wanaque, NJ

under a mile away

Ramapo Water Tower Ruins

4.8 ★★★★★ 76 reviews

Oakland, NJ

ScenicDog-friendly

Ruined mansion atop a mountain, with hiking trails and a water tower.

1.2 miles away

Ramapo Lake Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 369 reviews

Oakland, NJ

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Vistas of a lake and ruins dot this leafy hiking destination featuring a mix of easy to challenging trails.

1.4 miles away

Addice Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

Wanaque, NJ

1.4 miles away

All running trails in Wanaque, NJ →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.