August 24, 2025 – Bloomingdale, New Jersey

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: Approximately 3 miles

Max elevation: 1,116 ft.– total elevation gain approximately 620 ft.

Route type: Figure-Eight Loop

Buy Maps (Paper & Avenza): Northern New Jersey Highlands (Combined Map)

Free Web Map: Norvin Green State Forest Trail Map 2023

Trailhead parking: 582 Glenwild Ave, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403

Small dirt parking lot for approximately 10-12 cars – No bathrooms on site

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Park Overview:

Norvin Green State Forest spans approximately 5,416 acres in Passaic County, New Jersey, near Bloomingdale and Ringwood, adjacent to the Wanaque Reservoir. The undisturbed forest and rugged terrain is part of the Wyanokie Wilderness Area. The Park is home to an extensive trail system built from old logging roads. The existing trails, either old forest roads or new trails constructed by volunteers, are perfect for those looking for moderate to strenuous hikes.

With hills ranging from 400 to 1,300 feet in elevation, Norvin Green provides the avid hiker with scenic vistas, including the New York skyline, Burnt Meadow Brook and Lake Sonoma.

The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.

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History:

Norvin Green State Forest was named for Norvin Hewitt Green, the grandson of Ringwood Manor owner Abram S. Hewitt, who donated the land in 1946 to the State of New Jersey to expand Ringwood State Park. It was later designated as Norvin Green State Forest.

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Trails Overview:

This Figure-Eight Loop follows two trails, the blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail and the red-blazed Torne Trail. Both trails are relatively well blazed, but there were several instances where I briefly lost the Blue Trail and had to double back. Both trails are extremely rocky with some exposed roots. And in several places you may have to use both your hands and feet.

On this hike, the Hewitt-Butler Trail (2.1 miles) crosses Glenwild Avenue and traverses the southern portion of Norvin Green via Torne Mountain and Osio Rock, before terminating by a small stream at the southern base of Osio Rock.

The red-blazed Torne Trail (.75 mile) begins at the terminus of the Hewitt-Butler Trail and heads north, splitting Torne Mountain and Osio Rock. There is a short section where the trail climbs over jumbled boulders.

Trails in this park are maintained by volunteers through the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.

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Hike Overview:

The parking lot is small, holding about 10-12 cars. This lot fills up early most weekends and an early start is essential. We arrived at the trailhead at about 8am on a Sunday morning and there were about 2 spaces left. When we returned after the hike, the lot was full.

This hike is surprisingly rugged with some steep sections, rocky trails, open rock slabs and some minor scrambling. The trails are mostly shaded except for the areas around the viewpoints which are exposed. This seems to be a lesser used area of Norvin Green as we did not encounter any hikers during our time there.

There is a bailout option after descending Torne Mountain. Instead of climbing to Osio Rock, turn left at the junction with the red-blazed Torne Trail which will lead you back to Glenwild Ave.

The trail traverses over open rock and there are ankle-breaker type rocks and exposed roots throughout. Probably not a good hike to do if the ground is wet. A good pair of durable hiking boots and trekking poles are recommended. 

This Figure-Eight Loop climbs Torne Mountain in a counterclockwise direction, descends, then climbs Osio Rock before descending to meet the red-blazed Torne Trail at its southern end and returning north, back to the start.

The graph below shows the ups and downs of this hike. There is a total elevation gain of approximately 620 feet, but it felt like more.

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The Hike:

From the Otter Hole parking lot, cross the road diagonally to the left to the trailhead next to a road sign, “Begin 700 Passaic County.” Start following the blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail as it ascends on a rocky footpath and curves to the right, paralleling the road for a bit.

 

The trail soon dips down and after about 350 yards, the blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail comes to a junction with the red-blazed Torne Trail, which begins on the left. The Red Trail is your return route, and the paved road that you crossed at the start of the hike can be seen through the trees on the right. Continue following the blue blazes as it ascends Torne Mountain over a rocky trail surface.

At the top of the rise, the Hewitt-Butler Trail reaches an open area marked by a cairn, then ducks back into the woods briefly before coming out at another open area. Look to your left for a faint footpath on the left that leads to the Stone Living Room. It’s easier to spot the Stone Living Room during leaf-off season. 

After checking out the Stone Living Room, retrace your steps back to the main trail, turn left and continue following the blue blazes in a southerly direction. As you continue, the trail soon reaches the height of land and views begin to appear.

When you arrive at this junction, it is up to you to decide which way to go. We chose the “Alternate & Easier Route.” Both trails meet up farther down. It’s still steep in spots but not a straight shot over rock slabs like the black-dot-on-blue blazed trail. 

As the Hewitt-Butler Trail descends, it is slightly overgrown in this area and becomes harder to follow. I had to consult my Avenza Maps app a few times to get back on the right track. The trail essentially zig-zags down the hill and at times can be a bit hard to determine in some spots.

In a short distance, the Hewitt-Butler Trail comes to the best viewpoint (in my opinion) on this hike. 

As the trail leaves the viewpoint, it makes a hard right and descends just below the viewpoint. This turn is easy to miss.

Soon the trail descends more steeply, passing the other end of the black-dot-on-blue blazed trail then reaches a junction with the red-blazed Torne Trail.

When you reach the rock pictured below, you have hiked just over a mile. If you want to cut this hike short, turn left and follow the red blazes back towards the parking lot. To continue on, remain on the Blue Trail as it ascends somewhat steeply to the summit of Osio Rock.

When you reach the open summit of Osio Rock, there are views over the surrounding mountains with the Wanaque Reservoir visible in the distance.

Continue following the blue blazes by scrambling down the other side of Osio Rock. There are more views as the trail heads downhill.

After about 3/4 of a mile from the junction with the Red Trail, the blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail ends at the southern end of the red-blazed Torne Trail alongside a small stream.

Turn right and follow the red blazes along a relatively level route. Soon the grade steepens and the trail becomes more rocky and root filled. This trail travels the saddle between Torne Mountain and Osio Rock.

After passing the junction with the Hewitt-Butler Trail, there is a short section where you’ll have to scramble up through some large rocks and boulders.

The Torne Trail soon reaches its high point then descends gradually. 

After about 3/4 of a mile (before reaching the paved road), turn right on the blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail, now retracing your steps. Follow the blue blazes for about a 1/4 mile, back to the parking lot, where the hike began.

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Review:

This is a really nice hike through a lesser used area of Norvin Green State Forest. The trails are rocky throughout and there are large rock formations that the trail climbs over or around. The views are nice, but the solitude made it a worthwhile hike. The trails are mostly shaded with the exception of the open rock summits. There are a lot of slanted rock slabs that the trails travel over and some jumbled boulders on the Torne Trail to climb over. I wouldn’t recommend this hike if the ground is wet. 

Pros:

Nice views, Stone Living Room, well marked trails, interesting rock formations little foot traffic.

Cons: 

None.

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Take a hike!

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Sources:

• Norvin Green State Forest

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