QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 1,932 acres
- Trail Mileage: 1.2 miles to summit (2,443-foot), 2 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: moderate to difficult
- Sights: 360-degree views from fire tower on summit (2,470 ft.)
On a sunny weekend in the summer, it can sometimes feel the whole population of Rangeley is on this mountain! Despite the crowds, I think this trail, on Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust’s 1,932-acre preserve, is worth it. The trek to the summit is about 1.2 miles from the Bald Mountain trailhead, about 2 miles if you start at the trailhead off Route 4. It’s fairly easy for the first half. But once you hit the exposed rock, at about half a mile, the trail gets steep and scramble-y, and probably quite slick when wet.
At the top, take a deep breath and walk up the stairs of the fire tower for spectacular 360-degree views. There are a couple of picnic tables and ledges at the summit, too.
There is a shooting range nearby and you can clearly hear the shots as you hike up the trail.
Directions: Bald Mountain has two trailheads: off Route 4 and off Bald Mountain Road.