QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 50 acres
- Trail Mileage: 1.3 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: lake, tiny beach, forest wetlands, bog walkways
This Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust preserve offers a series of three lake viewpoints along its shore trail — called Heron, Mallard and Loon — culminating with the prettiest spot at the far corner of the preserve, Loon, the grand finale. There is a picnic table here set up by what might be the world’s smallest, cutest beach! I tried to take photos of it but it’s a little hard to make out. (The beach probably disappears if the lake level gets high enough.)
The preserve is a great place to do a short, easy hike to stimulate your appetite before you settle in for a pretty picnic and swim at that tiny beach! It’s 0.5 mile to the little beach at Loon viewpoint, and about 1 mile if you do the full loop.
Once you’ve eaten and swum, the return home along the perimeter trails brings you along a long, picturesque boardwalk.
Directions: From town take Rt. 4 north. Take a left on Manor Road (just opposite Moose Alley). 1/4 mile on the left is the parking area for the property.
