Lakes Region trails filled with adventure

By Briana Bizier

Hitting the trails is a great way to enjoy the Lakes Region. Whether you’re looking for a casual stroll in the woods, hiking with small children, birdwatching, or hoping to bag a serious peak, the Lakes Region has something for everyone!

The South Face Loop Trail on Bald Pate
Mountain in Bridgton is not only scenic
for hikers but is also a challenge too.
COURTESY PHOTO 

The East Windham Conservation Area is a great place to start. Opened in 2023 by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, this is one of the newest conservation areas in the state. This 700-acre preserve offers trails with views of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range and the placid Little Duck Pond. The southern trailhead offers gentle and family-friendly trails, while the northern trailhead is a more direct route to the views. There are a lot of trails here, so snap a picture of the map at the kiosk in the parking lot for easy reference on the trail! Check the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust website at www.prlt.org for more information.

Raymond Community Forest is another local gem. Spiller Homestead Loop and Grape Expectations are both lovely, meandering paths that wind through the woods for roughly a mile, while the Pismire Bluff trail offers a more intense workout with spectacular views at the top of its mile-long climb. All of these trails are clearly labeled, and they can be linked together for a longer hike. Maps and parking information are on the Loon Echo Land Trust website at www.lelt.org.

Westbrook’s Mill Brook Preserve is home to a dramatic alewife migration each May when thousands of alewives, a type of herring, make their way from the Atlantic to their spawning beds in Highland Lake. Even if the fish aren’t running, this preserve is excellent for birdwatching. Young hikers will appreciate the fairy and gnome houses halfway between the Methodist Trailhead and the Perry Court Trailhead.

Mill Brook has two recommended pools for fish viewing; these are spots in the river where the alewives rest and school before attempting to climb the waterfalls in their path. The southern fish-viewing pool can be accessed with a half-mile hike from the Methodist Trailhead off Methodist Road, or with a two-mile loop beginning and ending at Perry Court Trailhead. This loop crosses Mill Brook just above the southern pool and then leads back to the trailhead past a series of fairy and gnome houses that are certain to entertain hikers young and old. Maps and more information can be found at www.prlt.org.

If you’re looking for views, Bald Pate Mountain in Bridgton is a favorite local spot. The main parking area off Route 107 offers several options to reach the top of Bald Pate. The Bob Chase trail, just under a mile long, is a short and gentle route to the picturesque summit. Hikers looking for more of a challenge can add in the Foster Lookout Loop, or park at the Micah Trailhead off Moose Pond Cove Road and take one of the longer routes up the peak. If you want a challenge, the short and steep Pate Trail will leave you feeling like you’ve really earned those summit pictures! The most straightforward route to the 1,150-foot Bald Pate Mountain summit is the blue-blazed Bob Chase Trail, which begins in the parking area off Route 107. This trail is less than a mile, and the full loop takes hikers from a peaceful grove of birch and beech trees to windswept stands of pitch pine and exposed granite on the mountain’s summit. Check the Loon Echo Land Trust website at www.lelt.org for more information.

For serious hikers and mountain climbers, the Lakes Region is home to Pleasant Mountain, the tallest mountain in southern Maine. There are several trail options to climb Pleasant. Parking can be difficult, especially on the weekends, so be prepared with a backup route in case the parking lot is full. No matter what trail you pick, Pleasant Mountain is a significant hike. Make sure everyone in your party has plenty of water, sturdy footwear, and warm clothing just in case. This preserve is also managed by Loon Echo Land Trust, so maps and details are at www.lelt.org.

Wherever you choose to explore in the Lakes Region this summer, make sure you’re prepared. It’s always a good idea to bring water and snacks, as well as sun protection. Pack all your trash with you and come prepared to take lots of pictures. Happy trails! <