Day Trips
Castle Ruin Hike
Easy/Moderate 7-Mile Hike Through Castle Ruins!
Join us on this easy/moderate hike to the majestic ruins of Van Slyke Castle. The ruins sit just 350 feet above the 120-acre Ramapo Lake, formed over 12,000 years ago by a receding glacier.
Begin your trek through Ringwood State Park, located in the heart of the Ramapo Mountains. The park boasts almost 5,000 acres of protected land with hundreds of miles of hiking trails as well as ponds, streams and marshes, which provide perfect habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife.
The original Van Slyke Castle, known as “Foxcroft,” was built around the turn of the last century and abandoned in the 1950’s after a bitter divorce left the home unused. Eventually vandals broke in and torched the estate in 1959. Since its destruction, the ruins have been open for curious visitors to explore and imagine the elegant structure that once stood. The stone walls, fireplaces and foundations that still stand are now overgrown with english ivy, honeysuckle and other emerging vines.
After exploring the castle, stop for a picnic at a nearby overlook, where on a clear day you may be able to spot the Manhattan skyline. The return route is filled with narrow trails and old carriage roads that roll over the landscape in changing elevations.
Event Intensity Level
This hike is Intensity Level 2-3. Read a full description of all levels.
Event Details
- Bring Lunch and 2 liters water (minimum per person)
- Wear Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots, sunscreen, hat, swimsuit underneath if you care to swim
- Departure time 9:00 AM. Please arrive at 8:45 AM for check-in. Please check weekend subway schedules! Our trips leave on time.
- Departure Location Our passenger vans depart from the NE corner of 73rd Street and Broadway—meet in front of Apple Bank (Subways to 72nd Street: 1,2,3)
- Return Time Approximately 6:00 PM
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Winter Black Rock Hike
Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides
From cycling across the United States to leading horse treks through New Zealand to scaling Nepalese peaks, Outdoor Bound guides have real-world outdoor experience. Collectively, they have hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked tens of thousands of miles around the globe.
Whether their professional backgrounds are as teachers, personal trainers, artists, environmentalists or business leaders, they all have an extensive knowledge of the natural world and local history. Each guide has also passed a rigorous guide certification program and is trained in wilderness first aid or as a Wilderness First Responder.
Diverse & Interesting Groups
There is no typical Outdoor Bound participant. While ages typically range from 20 to 50, those who come to experience outdoor adventure range from singles to couples, from lawyers to waiters. They are a mix of women and men. While the group is always diverse, you will certainly feel welcome. Our guides go the extra mile to make the atmosphere of each trip social and fun. Many people in the Outdoor Bound community have forged lasting friendships as a result of our trips.
New Experiences
Skydiving, ice-climbing, hot-air ballooning, skiing and hiking every weekend are just a few of Outdoor Bound’s year-round adventures. These trips are accessible to everyone, including the novice, who might feel a little uneasy, the young urban professional trying to get away and even the adrenaline junkie looking for a new rush.
Environmental Awareness
“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures,” is the Leave No Trace motto embraced by Outdoor Bound. From purchasing bamboo T-shirts to printing with soy-based inks on recycled paper, Outdoor Bound strives to create the least environmental impact possible while on trips and in the office.
Columbus Day 6 Mile Hike: Gertrude’s Nose in Minnewaska
Other Trips in This Category
- 3rd of July Hike & Swim
- 4th of July Hike & Swim
- Autumn Glider Soaring
- Autumn Mohonk Scramble Challenge
- Awosting Falls
- Backcountry Snowshoe on Russian Bear Mountain
- Backwoods Snow Sledding
- Backwoods Snowshoeing
- Backwoods Snowshoeing: Catskill Mountains, High Point
- Backwoods Snowshoeing: Catskills, Panther Mountain
- Backwoods Snowshoeing: Catskills, Slide Mountain
- Backwoods Snowshoeing: Surebridge Mountain
- Black Ash Mountain Hike
- Black Rock Hike
- Breakneck Ridge Hike & Scramble
- Breakneck Ridge Hike to Mount Taurus
- Bullets, Beer & BBQ
- Canoe & Kayak
- Canoeing, Camping & Hiking in the Adirondacks
- Canopus Lake Hike
- Castle Ruin Hike
- Catskills Hike & Rappel: Panther Mountain
- Catskills Hike: Indian Head Mountain
- Catskills Hike: Panther Mountain
- Catskills Hike: Slide Mountain
- Catskills Hike: Sugarloaf Mountain
- Catskills Snowshoeing & Rappelling
- Class V Whitewater Rafting
- Clay’s Private Rock Climbing, Hiking & Camping Weekend
- Columbus Day 6 Mile Hike: Gertrude’s Nose in Minnewaska
- Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe
- Diamond Mountain Hike
- Dog, Beach & Vine
- Echo Lake Hike
- Empire Hotel Rooftop Cocktails & Gear Raffle
- Evening Horseback, Hayride & Cookout
- Fall Foliage Hike, Apple & Pumpkin Picking
- Fourteen Peaks Hike
- Fourth of July Skydiving!
- Full Moon Halloween Hike
- Full Moon Hike
- Full Moon Kayaking to Abandoned Castle
- Gertrude’s Nose 6 Mile Hike in Minnewaska
- Groundhog Day Hike: Russian Bear
- Gunks Hike & Whiskey Tasting
- Gunks Horseback Riding & Whiskey Tasting
- Gunks Winter Hike & Whiskey Tasting
- Half Day Hudson Valley Biking, Hiking & Pub
- Halloween Hangover Hike: Ramapo Ridge 9 Miles
- Halloween Horseback Riding & Wine Tasting
- Hang Gliding Adventure
- High Peterskill Hike in Minnewaska
- High Ridge Hike & Yoga
- High Ropes Climbing
- Hike & Art Gallery
- Hike & Hound 6-Mile Hike
- Hike & Hound Eight Mile Hike
- Hike & Pilates
- Hike & Wine Tasting
- Hike The Great Escape
- Hike the Hamptons
- Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Grateful Dead Tribute
- Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Harvest Moon Folk Festival
- Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Johnny Cash Tribute
- Hike, Wine & Charcuterie Tasting
- Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Appalachian Trail
- Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Ship Rock Ridge
- Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Tom Jones Mountain
- Hike, Wine & Fondue Tasting: Tom Jones Mountain
- Hike, Wine & Shakespeare in the Orchard
- Hike, Yoga & Swim
- Hollywood Stunt Class: High Falls
- Hollywood Stunt Class: Trampoline
- Horseback & Art Gallery
- Horseback & Hike
- Horseback Riding & Wine Tasting
- Horseback Riding and Introduction to Polo
- Horseback, Wine Tasting & Apple Picking
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Hudson Half Day Sailing & Hike
- Hudson River Brunch Sailing Excursion
- Hudson Sailing & Hike
- Ice Climbing
- Indoor Rock & Pints
- Indoor Rock Climbing
- Intro to Dragon Boat Racing
- Iron Mine & Lemon Squeezer Hike
- Kaaterskill Falls Eight Mile Hike
- Kristin’s Private Hike, Wine & Fondue Tasting
- Labor Day Hike: High Peterskill in Minnewaska
- Labor Day HIke: Lake Skenonto
- Lake Skenonto Hike
- Lake Skenonto Hike & Swim
- Leave No Trace Educational Hike
- Leave No Trace Two-Day Trainer Course
- Memorial Day Fourteen Peaks Hike
- Memorial Day Hike & Swim: Surprise Lake
- Memorial Day Hike, Swim & Wine Tasting 2010-05-31
- Memorial Day Pine Meadow Hike
- Memorial Day: Canopus Lake Hike
Bringing a Friend or Two?
Please be sure to enter the total number of people in the Qty box. In addition, be sure to include your friends’ names and cell-phone numbers on the final Checkout page. The final discount price is the price per person, multiplied by the Qty you enter.
Reminder about Winter Trip Conditions
We closely monitor snow, ice and related weather conditions before each trip. Lack of snow or similar, unsatisfactory weather/trail/river conditions may lead to changes to the trip or rescheduling or cancellation.
Please consult the individual trip description or Event Calendar for notice of any such changes. Refer to our full Policies page for more information about reservations and cancellations.
