Buttermilk Falls in Rockland County

From the northern end of the parking area, head into the woods on a blue-blazed trail, which climbs gradually. Pay careful attention to the blazes, as the trail in this area has recently been relocated to an improved route. After ascending on a switchback, you'll reach the remnants of two stone pillars to the left of the trail, with scenic Buttermilk Falls cascading down the mountain in the ravine below.

The trail now bears right and continues to climb. After a brief descent, you'll reach a limited west-facing viewpoint, with a field visible below. Continue ahead on the blue trail, and you'll soon come to a much broader viewpoint. The tall building in the distance is part of the Blue Hill Plaza office complex in Pearl River. You may hear and see a train along the railroad tracks running parallel to the hills in the background. This rail line - commonly known as the West Shore Railroad - was built in 1883 as the New York, West Shore and Buffalo. Passenger service along the line, which extends from northern New Jersey to Albany, was discontinued in 1959, but the line remains an important route for freight trains traveling between the Midwest and the New York metropolitan area.

After a little more climbing, you'll reach a junction with a woods road. An orange-blazed trail turns left on the road, but you should turn right, continuing to follow the blue blazes. Just beyond - about half a mile from the start of the hike - you'll reach the third viewpoint, with the broadest view. You can see all the way west to Ramapo Mountains and, on a clear day, the skyscrapers of Newark are visible on the horizon to the south. In the early 1900s, when he rode horseback in the area, President Theodore Roosevelt would stop here to take in the view. This is a good spot to rest from the climb and enjoy the panoramic view.

In another 300 feet, follow the blue trail as it turns sharply right, leaving the woods road it has been following, and descends on switchbacks along another woods road. When the blue trail ends at a junction with a white-blazed gravel road, turn right and follow the white blazes along the road. Watch for a turn where the white blazes turn right, leaving the road. Continue to follow the white-blazed trail along a footpath for a short distance to its end at the parking area where the hike began.