The Cannonball Trail

During the American Revolution, Cannonball Road was used to transport much needed supplies and people from West Point to Paterson. While historians are unsure where the precise road was, they do know that is extended along the Ramapo River. It is most likely that it began at the site of Ringwood Manor (partly because of the Ironworks and partly because it was where Robert Erskine resided) and reached to Haverstraw, NY. The Dutch, who were not Loyalists, lived throughout this land and allowed free movement of the Patriots when they sought refuge, and allowed Continental soldiers to transport ammunition, food and other necessities out of eyesight from the British Army. Today, the Historic Cannonball Trail is an homage to the past both to the soldiers of the Continental Army, as well as the people of Ramapo who assisted them. This beautiful, easy trail stretches through two counties and hit highlights like Bear Swamp Lake, Matapan Rock, Ramapo Lake and the foot bridge over 287. The year I hiked this trail, the original southern terminus at Barbara Lane was closed off by private property owners who claim the closure was due to an excess of damage by vandalism (though no evidence proves that this damage was caused by hikers). Because there are only two parking spots at Pool Hollow Road, I recommend that if you plan to hike the Cannonball end-to-end, that you hike sobo from the trail head at Bear Swamp Lake at Ramapo County Reservation, and plan to have someone pick you up at Pool Hollow Road in Ramapo Mountain State Forest. This is one of my favorite scenic trails in northern NJ and I will happily hike it again and again. The best time to hike this trail is, hands down, in fall at the peak of colors. Either in sections or as a complete 10+ mile hike, this is the very best trail that New Jersey has to offer.