Bald Pate Mountain Preserve and Five Fields Farm

Bald Pate trails in blue; Five Fields Farm X-C trails in green; Holt Pond trails in red

This 486-acre preserve, protected by the Loon Echo Land Trust, offers a quick and easy climb to a beautiful open summit (1,150 ft., elevation gain ~300 feet)) with an ancient pitch pine forest and lovely views in different directions from several places on the ledgy summit. The trails tend to be wide throughout the preserve, and while some have roots, rocks, and a bit of ledge, others are smooth and open, making for stretches of gentle walking.

One of the ways to summit, a path with views along the way, is the great 0.8-mile Bob Chase Trail. The South Face Loop is a bit tougher and longer. Both of these trails leave from the main parking area off South Bridgton Road.

You can also park at a smaller lot (which can fill up pretty quickly on nice weekend days) off of the unpaved Moose Cove Lodge Road. From here, it’s about 0.5 miles to the intersection with the South Face Loop Trail. You can turn right to make a more gradual 0.7-mile ascent to the peak, or you can charge up the steep and shorter Pate Trail, about 0.4 miles. The benefit of taking the latter choice is a wonderful view from an open ledge about two-thirds of the way up.

You can also walk from this preserve to the Holt Pond Preserve or close to it via the Town Farm Brook Trail (which is blazed with purple tags.). This trail, which heads downhill away from the mountain, brings you through pretty mixed forest, to a stream, and along a high forested ridge. The path ends at Town Farm Road, where you can park alongside the unpaved road. Cross-country ski trails from Five Fields Farm (in green, more than six miles) also intersect the mountain trail network.

Five Fields Farm grooms their great trail network in the winter, but call ahead before you head out for conditions. The trails are pretty, weaving through the apple orchards and forests. They are also on a fairly significant slope, so expect long up- and downhills. The farm rents snowshoes and skis.

Directions: From US Route 302 in Bridgton, follow ME Route 117 south. In 1 mile, turn left onto ME Route 107 heading south and drive approximately 4 miles. The Bald Pate Mountain main parking area is located at the crest of the hill, on the left side of the road, just past Five Fields Farm apple orchard and cross country ski area. A short driveway leads to a big parking lot and the kiosk.

Photos submitted by Michaela Goldfine.