One of the quiet luxuries of the lake is how much wild country sits at the door. Here are five walks we love, none more than twenty minutes away, from gentle to a good honest climb.
1 · Bare Rock Overlook, Sterling Forest
The big payoff for modest effort — a ridge view back over Greenwood Lake itself. Best in autumn, when the hawks are migrating overhead.
2 · Terrace Pond, Wawayanda
A dramatic loop to a cliff-ringed glacial pond tucked into the Bearfort ridge — one of the Highlands' true gems. Some rock scrambling; wear real shoes.
3 · Long Pond Ironworks
Easy, scenic, and full of history — flat trails through a preserved 18th-century ironworks village along the river. Lovely with kids.
4 · Wawayanda State Park
Miles of well-kept trails, a swimming lake, and a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Pick your distance; it's hard to go wrong.
5 · Ringwood State Park
Waterfalls, lakes, and the manicured grounds of the New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands next door — a gentle morning with a grand finish.