Pascack Valley, NJ is not a region most people associate with hiking, but it should be. Within 5 minutes of towns like Westwood, Emerson, and Park Ridge, you can find brook-side trails, woodland preserves, and reservoir walks that are free, uncrowded, and genuinely worth your Saturday morning. Push out 20 to 30 minutes and you hit some of the best trail systems in the entire New York metro area.
This guide covers the best walking and hiking near Pascack Valley towns of Bergen County, NJ, from easy family walks to serious all-day hikes.
What trails are right in Pascack Valley?
You do not have to leave Bergen County to find a good walk. Several parks sit directly within or on the borders of the eight Pascack Valley towns.
Pascack Brook County Park (Westwood / River Vale)
The most accessible walk in the valley. A connected trail corridor runs along Pascack Brook from Westvale Park in River Vale through to Pascack Brook County Park in Westwood, totaling about 3 miles of flat, easy path. Good for strollers, dogs, and first-thing-in-the-morning walks. Parking is free, and the park includes a designated off-leash dog area, playground, and catch-and-release fishing pond.
Atkins Glen Park (Park Ridge / Woodcliff Lake)
The most interesting short trail in the valley. A sandstone ravine carved by Bear Brook runs through a small forested preserve right off South 5th Street in Park Ridge. The trail is 0.4 to 1.7 miles depending on route, with about 130 feet of elevation gain through the ravine walls. It is the kind of place that surprises people who have lived here for years without knowing it existed. Free parking, leash required, good for kids.
Emerson Woods Preserve (Emerson)
A 2.1-mile loop that passes through woodland and alongside the Oradell Reservoir. The reservoir views are the reason to go: calm, open water with almost no foot traffic. Easy terrain, free parking, and the whole loop takes about 40 minutes at a relaxed pace. Closest access is from Main Street in Emerson.
Wood Dale County Park (Woodcliff Lake / Park Ridge)
A 118-acre Bergen County park centered on a large pond. The main loop is only 0.4 miles and mostly paved, so this is more of a walk than a hike, but it is excellent for a quick morning outing or for bringing young children. Free parking and a dedicated off-leash dog run.
Where should I go for a real hike near Pascack Valley?
If you want actual elevation gain and longer trails, Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah is the answer. It is Bergen County’s largest park at over 4,000 acres, and it sits 15 to 20 minutes from Hillsdale, Montvale, or Park Ridge.
The go-to route for first-timers is the Vista Loop (yellow blaze), a 3.5-mile moderate loop that passes MacMillan Reservoir, a small waterfall on Rotten Pond Brook, and multiple ridge overlooks. Rated 4.5 stars on AllTrails as of 2026 with over 2,200 reviews. The park is free with no parking fee, but the lot fills fast on weekend mornings. Plan to arrive before 8 AM on peak days.
For a shorter but steeper challenge, the Halifax Trail to Hawk Rock (green/white blaze) covers about 2.5 miles out and back with a steep push to the summit. On a clear day the views extend to the NYC skyline.
Campgaw Mountain County Reservation in Mahwah (20 to 25 minutes from most Pascack Valley towns) is a strong alternative when Ramapo is crowded. It has 10 miles of trail across 1,373 acres, a disc golf course, Adirondack shelter camping, and a summit trail with solid views. Parking is also free for hikers.
What about bigger hikes farther out?
Two parks within 30 to 40 minutes offer full-day hiking options worth the drive.
Ringwood State Park in Ringwood, NJ (30 to 35 minutes from Montvale or Hillsdale) is one of the most underrated parks in New Jersey. The Skylands Loop, a 5 to 6 mile moderate route, passes through the New Jersey Botanical Gardens at Skylands (96 acres of formal gardens, free to walk through) with Ramapo Mountain views throughout. For families, Shepherd Lake inside the park is a spring-fed 74-acre lake with a swimming beach and boat rentals in summer. Parking fees apply on summer weekends: $5 per car for NJ residents, $7 for out-of-state (2025 to 2026 rates).
Harriman State Park in New York (30 to 40 minutes, entering via Sloatsburg) has 200 miles of trail across 47,000 acres. For Pascack Valley visitors, the Pine Meadow Lake Loop from the Reeves Meadow trailhead in Sloatsburg is the best starting point: 5.6 miles, about 1,167 feet of elevation gain, with Pine Meadow Lake and Stony Brook cascades as the payoff. Most trail parking at Harriman is free. Beach lot fees of $10 per car apply only at specific lake areas in summer.
Quick comparison: best hikes near Pascack Valley
| Park | Drive from PV | Best Trail | Miles | Difficulty | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pascack Brook County Park | 0 to 5 min | Brook corridor walk | ~3 mi | Easy | Free |
| Atkins Glen (Park Ridge) | 0 to 5 min | Sandstone ravine trail | 0.4 to 1.7 mi | Easy | Free |
| Emerson Woods Preserve | 5 to 10 min | Oradell Reservoir Loop | 2.1 mi | Easy | Free |
| Celery Farm (Allendale) | 15 to 20 min | Fitzpatrick Nature Trail | 1.2 mi | Easy | Free |
| Saddle River County Park | 15 to 25 min | Saddle River Trail | Up to 10.6 mi | Easy | Free |
| Ramapo Valley Reservation | 15 to 20 min | Vista Loop | 3.7 mi | Moderate | Free |
| Campgaw Mountain | 20 to 25 min | Summit Trail | ~2 mi | Moderate | Free |
| Ringwood State Park | 30 to 35 min | Skylands Loop | 5 to 6 mi | Moderate | $5 to $7 (wknds, summer) |
| Harriman State Park (NY) | 30 to 40 min | Pine Meadow Lake Loop | 5.6 mi | Moderate | Free (most lots) |
Is birding or wildlife watching good near Pascack Valley?
One stop worth mentioning for birding: The Celery Farm in Allendale, about 15 to 20 minutes from Hillsdale or Emerson. It is a 110-acre wildlife preserve built around 20-acre Lake Appert on a converted celery farm. Over 248 bird species have been recorded here as of 2025, including American Bittern, Virginia Rail, Great Blue Heron, and Wood Duck. The trail is flat, 1.2 miles, and completely free. No dogs are allowed since it is a dedicated wildlife preserve managed by the Fyke Nature Association. Best visited March through December.
The Emerson Woods Preserve along the Oradell Reservoir is also consistently good for waterfowl, especially in fall and early spring.
A few practical notes before you go
- All Bergen County parks (Ramapo, Campgaw, Saddle River, Pascack Brook, Wood Dale) have free parking as of 2026. No permits are needed for trail access.
- Ramapo Valley Reservation fills up fast on weekend mornings. Weekday mornings are dramatically less crowded and the trails are identical.
- The Giant Stairs section of the Shore Trail at Palisades Interstate Park is closed as of early 2026 due to rockfall. Confirm current status at njpalisades.org before planning a trip.
- Ringwood State Park parking fees ($5 NJ residents / $7 out-of-state) apply only on summer weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Harriman’s most popular beach lots charge $10 per car in summer. Most trailhead parking areas are free year-round.
For more on what outdoor life looks like in each town, visit the Pascack Valley towns guide. If you want to pair a hike with something to do afterward, check the events calendar for what is happening nearby that weekend.