Bellvale Mountain AT to Village Vista

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area
Greenwood Lake Village area,
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Village Vista Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.4 Miles

Pros: Quiet area, very scenic view
Cons: First park of hike avoids views and is rather boring

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Bellvale Mountain is a long and narrow mountain starting near Warwick and going alongside Greenwood Lake and into New Jersey, where it is called Bearfort Mountain. Bellvale Mountain has interesting rock formations and craggy outcrops which make great views. However, most of this hike lacks any views or outcrops. The only view is at the end of this hike, but it is a spectacular one.

We parked at Route 17A at Mount Peter, and took the Appalachian Trail south along Bellvale Mountain. Once reaching the Village Vista Trail, the trail reaches the craggy outcrop with a very nice view of Greenwood Lake and Greenwood Lake Village. We turned around after the Village Vista, and took the Village Vista Trail down the mountain. We had requested an Uber to take his from the Village Vista Trailhead back to our car, but the driver cancelled on us, so we bushwacked back up the Appalachian Trail and returned to our car.

The weather was cloudy and muggy with rain in the forecast. It started raining steady as soon as we completed the hike and got to our car.

Map of the Route

Me at the Trailhead Information Panel

At the Powerline on the AT

Powerlines on the Trail

Me on the Appalachian Trail in a Mountain Laurel Forest

Village Vista Trail Trailhead

Approaching the Rock Exposure at the Village Vista View

Village Vista View, Overlooking Greenwood Lake

Looking South toward Greenwood Lake

At the Village Vista View, Facing North

Another View Facing South

Shimmy at the Village Vista View

Pretty Pink Flowers at the Village Vista View

Village Vista View Facing Northeast

Zoomed into Greenwood Lake

Northern Part of Greenwood Lake

View into Greenwood Lake Village from the Village Vista Trail

Zoomed into Greenwood Lake Village