QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: ~400 acres
- Trail Mileage: Many miles!
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: Lovejoy Pond
The 400-acre private high school includes a huge trail network that is groomed—when there is sufficient snow, of course—for cross-country skiing. The public and their dogs are allowed to use the trails, which includes the Pond Trail that takes you down to a small clearing on Lovejoy Pond. If you’re on skis be careful: The last 100 yards or so down to the pond is quite steep.
The trail system overall is rather ornate! But the school has many trail signs affixed to trees and a maps at most every intersection. The narrower snowshoe trails are marked with small plastic circles and colorful arrows; the ski trails are wider and easier to follow and have less trail markings. I did lose the path a couple of times when trying to follow the snowshoe trails. They might be easier to see when there is no snow or if people have used them ahead of you.
Also, a few of the ski trails seemed under-used—like Powerline Trail, which was starting to get overgrown when I visited. Finally, I can’t vouch for the trails as walking paths — they seemed a bit rough and wet under the slight layer of snow on the ground when we visited.
Note: The school may have closed trails due to COVID-19.
Directions: The best place to park is at the Alfond Athletics Center, at 1617 Main Street in Readfield. Park in the far southwest corner (farthest from Main Street and the Center), and you’ll see the start of the trails if you’re facing away from the Center. Walk around the water treatment ponds (I think that is what they are!) and head toward the forest. You can also pick up the trails off of Wesleyan Road (but I don’t think you can park here).
