Mt Defiance

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Head up on switchbacks and scramble on rocks to reach the summit of Mt Defiance where you'll be rewarded with views of Skylands Manor from above and Cupsaw Lake in the distance.

This hike is located in Ringwood State Park. Start from parking lot A and turn left to take the Crossover Trail (white). At 0.33 miles, turn left on Halifax Trail (green). Here, the trail becomes steep as it switchbacks up the toe of Mt. Defiance. At 0.75 miles, there is a viewpoint.

Below you can see Skylands Manor and in the distance, Cupsaw Lake. At 0.85 miles, turn left on Ringwood-Ramapo Trail (red stripe on white) and climb between the rocks. At 1.1 miles you are on the summit of Mt. Defiance. This is an averagely busy hike for the area.

From the summit, turn back and enjoy heading down what you climbed.

Skylands Manor and Botanical Gardens.