Hike Description:

At the southern end of the parking area, a triple black-square-on-blue blaze marks the start of the Ramapo Lake Spur. Follow the trail into the woods, passing stone ruins. After going up a steep pitch, the trail continues to climb on a wide, rocky path, paralleling a cascading brook (particularly attractive after heavy rains). 

As you approach the crest of the rise, you'll cross a stream on rocks. A short distance beyond, the white-blazed Castle Loop joins from the right. Just ahead, the trails bear left at a fork and descend to a trail junction at Ramapo Lake, where the Ramapo Lake Spur ends (there are street signs at the junction for South Shore Drive, North Shore Drive and Rye Cliff Road). Here, you should turn left, crossing the dam of Ramapo Lake.

On the other side of the dam, a triple blue-on-white blaze marks the start of the Ramapo Lake Loop. Just ahead, a sign marks the start of the red-on-white-blazed LeGrande Hill Loop. Turn left, leaving the lakeshore road, and follow the red-on-white trail, which rises briefly, then dips down to parallel a stream (the other side of the stream that you followed on the way up to the lake). Soon, it turns away from the stream and begins a steady climb for about a quarter of a mile. At the crest of the rise, the trail levels off, descends slightly and soon turns sharply right. 

Just beyond the sharp right turn, you'll notice a rock outcrop on the left. Turn left and climb this outcrop, which offers a panoramic southwest-facing view. Pompton Lake is visible on the left, and the ridge of Pyramid Mountain may be seen on the right.

Return to the trail and turn left. The red-on-white trail continues at about the same elevation, with several short but steep ups and downs, for two-thirds of a mile. Along the way, a side trail on the left (reached after a short climb) leads to another rock ledge with a limited east-facing view. Then, after passing a cliff on the right and climbing around to the top of the cliff, you’ll reach a junction with the red/blue-blazed LeGrande-Lake Connector amidst pine trees. Turn left at this junction and follow the red/blue trail. A few steps ahead along this trail is a rock outcrop, with pitch pines. At the base of the outcrop, a short trail leads to a west-facing viewpoint. The Wyanokies stand out in sharp contrast against the horizon. 

Return to the junction and bear left on the red-on-white-blazed LeGrande Hill Loop. Soon, you’ll soon reach a rock ledge with a broader view over the Wyanokies in the distance. Then, after crossing a seasonal stream, the trail climbs to pass a vernal pool. below on the right. After climbing some more, you'll reach a rock outcrop with an expansive view over the Wyanokies and Ramapo Lake below. You’ll want to pause here to enjoy the view. From the viewpoint, the trail descends steadily, passing another vernal pool on the right, and soon ends at the gravel road that runs along the shore of the lake.

Turn right onto the gravel road, the route of the blue-on-white-blazed Ramapo Lake Loop, and proceed ahead across the dam. When you reach the north end of the dam, turn right at a sign for the Castle Loop Trail and the Ramapo Lake Spur Trail, proceed through a gap in the guardrail, and continue along the black-square-on-blue-blazed Ramapo Lake Spur, retracing your steps back to the parking area where the hike began.