Oversett Pond/Mountain and Sanborn River Trail, Greenwood

This is a glorious hike that has it all: a well-marked trail system, a small mountain with views, a quiet pond, and a river punctuated with shallow pools.

The land is part of a 12,268-acre conservation easement held by the Mahoosuc Land Trust. Camping, fires, and hunting are prohibited.

Parking is very limited, and neighbors have asked hikers to not park by their homes. From the small parking area on Oversett Pond Lane (large enough for two to three cars, so get here early!), you’ll see the walking trail to the left of the gate blocking the lane. Shortly, the path splits: one branch turns right, continuing on through the woods and along the right bank of the Sanborn River. The other path comes out onto a road, and if you go right here and across the bridge, you can pick up the path, off to the right, which follows the other side of Sanborn River.

If you follow the trail on the right side of the river (the north side), you’ll reach the 0.7-mile connecting path to Oversett Pond in approximately 1 mile. This is a wonderful little pond, enticingly swimmable. There is a 2.2-mile trail around the pond, which takes you up to stunning ledges (there are three overlooks along the way), with views over the pond, which was sparkling on the bright day we visited. Oversett Mountain’s elevation is roughly 1,365 feet.

From the pond trail, you can walk back along a gravel jeep road, or return to the connecting trail and continue on the Sanborn River Trail (a 3-mile loop from the parking area), which I recommend.

Directions: There is a small two-car parking lot close to the trailhead, on the rough Oversett Road. Or you can park at the larger lot on nearby Willis Mills Road. Don’t park near the neighbors’ homes. If you’re coming from West Paris and Route 26, take Route 219 2.5 miles to Greenwood Road. Turn right, and shortly after, take a left onto Patch Mountain Road. When the road veers in about .6 miles, go right onto Willis Mills Road and the parking area is ahead, to the left. A small two-car area is also available on Oversett Pond Lane to the right, and the path begins to the left of the gate. The trails are well signed.Sanborn/ Overset is fine. I would ask that you emphasize the fact that parking is very limited and the neighbors do not want parking near their homes.