Windbeam Mountain - Ringwood, New Jersey

Hoa D.

Nice views of reservoir, NY skyline, some steep inclination at times but quite manageable most times. Park at the Recreation center across the street, there is one portapotty away up near the field. Cross the street and look for white trail blaze with red triangle. As end of March there is little green leave and no cactus. Fun fact: when you reach the highest point looking right down from the US flag you can see the parking lot. When you exit the parking lot you can see the US flag right up.

Carly C.

Tl;Dr - worst trail I've ever been on.

This was the worst trail I've ever been on and I regret going alone. I'm not an hardcore hiker but I've hiked VT, SC, NC, VA, CO, all over. The markings are so hard to find from being small, far apart, on skinny and fat trees, and being hidden by others. I got lost so many times it added an extra half mile. I have never gotten lost like this. I had to use AT map the whole time, and it's not 100% accurate (see other tracker vs AT).

I went red/white, then it turned R/W/blue, then I saw a few red but then it turned back into red/white I didn't make it to the last vista because I got tired of being lost. I added photos of what the trail looks like, and the squares are now far apart the markers are.

The climb up isn't hard - it's the dangerous horribly maintained trail that's hard. I slipped on tiny rocks, fallen trees all over, leaves, etc. Worst maintaince. There isn't even any signs/map pointing out the entrance, which is across the street OR down the road? I included a photo of it.

Do not do this alone, don't bring your dog, don't go in anything but hiking shoes. I regret going alone because I was so scared I was going to get hurt.

Deb C.

We park in the Ringwood Rec. department field parking lot across the street. There is a house across the way and the trail begins to the right of the house. Be careful not to miss the red trail. If you stay on the red triangle and green trail it is a longer and more strenuous hike. The red trail is hard to find, it’s spray painted on the trees not the typical metal rectangles you see on most trails.

But the view you get is breathtaking! We saw two bald eagles, chipmunks, and woodpeckers along our walk. It’s definitely a hard trail so be prepared for very steep terrain and loose rocks on the way down. The top is flat, we always bring a snack.

Brian H.

Wow. I grew up in Ringwood but never made it up here until a visit today. The view is the best that you will find in the area. Panoramic view of all of Ringwood, the Wanaque Resevoir as well as the NYC Skyline.

You can park in the Stonetown Athletic field lot and trailhead is across the street (see pic). This is the double red triangle trail which leads to the peak.

We did get a bit mixed up at the bottom and had to scramble to reconnect to the trail. There is another entrance further down Snake Den (closer to resevoir) which saves time but only parking for one or two cars on side of road.

As you near the top the trail splits, go left for the vista and flag.

We did an up and back but I believe it does loop around somehow.

Out and back is only 4k (2.5m) but it's pretty steep so you feel it. We had our 4yo with us. He is part mountain goat and made it 90% of the way up and half the way down without being carried.

Took us 40 min to get to top and that includes us finding trails, etc.

Def recommend but be mindful if you bring a toddler that you may be carrying them😄

Cee J.

IMPORTANT HIKERS: There are TWO 'entrances' for this hike to the top of Windbeam from Stonetown Rd.

The MAIN entrance is the southerly trail entrance at the intersection of Westbrook Rd. and Stonetown Rd. - which is a continuation of the marked 'Green Diamond' trail - where you'd park off Westbrook Rd. by the bend in the road just past the reservoir inlet 'bridge' - and walk towards the 'opening' that is well-signed "The Highland Trail" at the Stonetown Rd/Westbrook intersection, but kind of dangerous to access (vehicles fly around the corner).

However, the CONVENIENT entrance is the northerly one where 90% of hikers usually access (and complain about), which is diagonally across from the Stonetown Recreation complex off Mary Roth Rd. - where you can park. Some also park alongside Stonetown Rd. itself midway and walk uphill to meet the trail.

Understand this part of the marked 'Green Diamond' 'lower trail' is an AUXILIARY leg of a "Y" and indeed is poorly marked - and that it just goes parallel to Stonetown Rd to avoid walking Stonetown Rd, yet be in the woods uphill.

Know that eventually that AUXILIARY LEG meets up with the MAIN GREEN TRAIL (uphill from that MAIN entrance from the Westbrook/Stonetown Rd intersection) at that "Y" which then takes you to the top of the mountain in a single trail - again marked "Green Diamond", sometimes accompanied by another marker (which is a White Square with a Red Triangle within) which denotes the "Stonetown Circular Trail" - which is a master trail and encompasses some of these smaller hikes (i.e. Lake Riconda, Tory Rocks, Windbeam, etc...) blazed with different colors (i.e. Red Circles, Green Diamonds, etc.).

Fully agree this trail needs to be on the list for maintenance and re-marking.

H S.

Beautiful view. Worth the hike. Great for your athletic dog. Easy to Moderate hike for hikers. Could be tough for beginners as the elevation is slightly steep.

Brian K.

Stonetown circular is a difficult trail with amazing views of the Wanaque reservoir and the surrounding area.

John V.

Really enjoyed the view on this one but finding the entrance took a bit. I've added this photo to help others. I was coming out of the rec center parking.