Sterling Ridge Trail/Fire Tower/Sterling Lake Trail...

Sterling Forest State Park

Sterling Lake from the Sterling Ridge Trail - Photo by Daniel Chazin Sterling Lake from the Sterling Ridge Trail - Photo by Daniel Chazin

This loop hike traverses Sterling Ridge, includes a fire tower, offers great views and a walk along scenic Sterling Lake.

41.230616, -74.260762

From the rear of the parking area, go around the gate and follow the woods road which leads south. This road is marked with the blue-on-white blazes of the Sterling Ridge Trail, the teal diamond blazes of the Highlands Trail and the yellow blazes of the Sterling Valley Trail. Follow the road for only about 100 feet, then leave the road and turn right onto a footpath, following the blue-and-...

Prepare For Your Hike

Let's Go

Trip Reports

rate experience
October 12, 2020
4
Sterling Valley Loop
My family and I completed this hike on Saturday. Print out a copy of the directions, they were perfect. The trails are well marked and pretty easy to follow.
Dgrossman
December 08, 2019
4
Moderate start, easy middle, swampy end
Hiked this today. The first 2.8 miles to the fire tower is moderately rough terrain. The trail is frequently marked, and even in several inches of snow, we had no trouble following the markers. This part has great views overlooking the lake. After the fire tower, the next 2.5-3 miles are gentle, wide mountain biking paths. The last mile heads slightly uphill along a stream. The watershed means that sometimes water pools on the trail and gets very muddy. Overall really enjoyed this hike, would do again in drier weather
nicks
November 14, 2018
0
Sterling Valley Loop
<p>Largely due to the concerns that you have expressed regarding the condition of this trail, the Trail Conference does not maintain the Sterling Valley Loop.&nbsp; Concerns about the condition of this trail should be addressed to the Park Manager.</p>
Daniel Chazin
Log in or register to post comments