Van Slyke: An Awesome Hike

Guest Blogger: Jack W (age 11)

Me and my mom hiked to Van Slyke Castle in northern New Jersey, and it turned out to be way more interesting than just a normal hike. Even though people call it a “castle,” it’s not actually a medieval fortress—it was originally a large stone mansion built in the early 1900s and transitioned through multiple owners until it met it’s final fate when vandals burned the mansion in 1959.

The property was build by William Porter who originally named it Foxcroft. It was used as a mountain vacation home.  After William Porter died in a car crash, his wife Ruth remarried Warren Van Slyke, which is how the place eventually became known as Van Slyke Castle. Ruth became widowed again after Warren died in 1925, and she then used the castle as her permanent residence until she died in 1940.

What makes the site so interesting is that you can still see a lot of what used to be there. The stone walls and foundation are still visible, and there are remains of other structures scattered around, including a water tower and even an old swimming pool hidden in the woods. It really gives you a sense of how big and impressive the estate must have been when it was still standing.

The trail we took is often called the Castle Loop Trail, which is about 3.1 miles, but there are a bunch of connecting trails in Ramapo Mountain State Forest, so it’s easy to accidentally go the wrong way if you’re not paying attention. You have to follow the white trail markers carefully because there are multiple paths that branch off. If you like longer hikes, make sure to park in the lower parking lot and hike the route that stretches closer to 5 miles, but if you want something shorter—or you’re hiking with younger kids—the route that starts from the upper parking lot is a better option. Me and my mom chose the shorter trail, but even that felt like a lot at times. If you hike the loop clockwise, around 75% of the way through, there’s a small rock scramble that’s a bit challenging, especially if it’s wet or you’re tired. I’d definitely recommend bringing water, a camera, and maybe even binoculars because the views are worth it.  On a clear day, you can see the New York City skyline!

The hike itself is really enjoyable too—it’s not super easy, but it’s not too hard either, so it’s a good middle-ground hike. Along the way, you pass through wooded areas, rocky sections, and open viewpoints. When you finally reach the top near the ruins, you get amazing views of the surrounding mountains and Ramapo Lake below. Overall, it’s a great mix of history, adventure, and scenery, which is what made it such a memorable hike for me and my mom.