Yellow to Cannonball to Pool Hollow Loop is a 5.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Oakland, New Jersey that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and bird watching and is best used from April until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This large loop around Ramapo lake starts out easy (and busy) but takes you away from the crowds and onto the Yellow trail. Follow it to the White trail and you'll come across two sets of ruins - the Ramapo Water Tower ruins and the Van Slyke castle ruins, which on a good day will give you great views. Then it's downhill on the White trail to link up with the Red trail as it loops around the backside of Ramapo Lake. This is a much easier section and a good way to relax before tackling the next leg. Take the unmarked road away from the lake and link up with the Yellow trail. This trail is much narrower and not nearly as well marked as previous sections, so keep your wits about you. It will take you up some steep climbs as you make your way North back towards the parking lot. You'll end up on a Yellow / Red trail that will dump you back at Ramapo Lake, where you can take the Blue back to your car.
No amenities or facilities whatsoever. Parking is a fight, so get there early or plan to wait a while for someone to leave!
December 19, 2020Nice hike in the snow. Microspikes came in handy. Lot different in winter than summer.
December 4, 2020Good but I wouldn’t have done the last part. 287 was way too loud.
November 24, 2020November 21, 2020October 1, 2020Could Get Challenging; A Great Trail.
September 19, 2020September 13, 2020September 13, 2020September 4, 2020August 23, 2020Will have to try this one another time. It was pretty crowded on the blue trail. Less so on the yellow except for the bear that had plopped himself down in the middle of the path. Respect was given and we turned back. Keep your dogs on leashes!
August 1, 2020The trail could use more markers, especially in the middle of the Pool Hollow Loop part. Overall a great trail though.
June 19, 2020One of my favorite places to hike until last weekend - I stumbled upon a huge black bear right by the lake. I was alone and very scared as the bear followed me for a while while I tried to walk away slowly, it was 2 meters away from me. Would not recommend if you have children. Also a part of this particular trail is now a private property so there’s no way to make this loop without trespassing.
June 8, 2020Nice trail with lots of variation: narrow and rocky for some parts, wide and flat for others. This loop takes you past a couple of nice viewpoints and through the ruins of the old castle, which is really fun to explore. We took a little spur off the trail to eat lunch by the lake. The second half is pretty flat and there's not much going on, but the first half makes it worth it.
March 21, 2020Beautiful! Mountain View’s and an awesome lake. Yellow trail was by the road partially Avoid.
November 24, 2019Decent trail with some views. Really enjoyed the ruins
August 11, 2019
First to Reviewvery Rocky. watch your feet, beautiful views
May 26, 2019January 18, 2021January 12, 2021November 24, 2020November 7, 2020August 23, 2020August 8, 2020July 30, 2020July 18, 2020July 12, 2020July 2, 2020
