Singepole Mountain, Paris

There are two ways up this delightful mountain (1,414 feet), which has good views from open ledges and a quarry pond.

One of these routes starts by Halls Pond — where you can swim after your hike. If you don’t feel like climbing up, you can just follow the 1.4-mile trail around the peaceful pond. But I recommend climbing! The route from the pond to the first truly great viewpoint is a bit under 1 mile one way and is well marked with red blazes. It is steep but wonderful. From this viewpoint, continue to the quarry 0.2 miles farther, (marked with a red icon on my map). The trail goes straight (north), down a track that dips into a little woods, and then head slightly to your left. (I noted on my map where I started down a snowmobile track to the left prematurely.) The true summit (which has no views) is reachable via a path that heads east (right) from the quarry. From a point just north of the true summit, you can see views of the Mahoosuc Range, Rumford Whitecap, Mt. Blue and other peaks.

A second 1.4-mile trail up Singepole leaves from the Durrell Hill Road trailhead on the western side of Singepole. This path is maintained by a snowmobile club, I think, so watch for the yellow snowmobile signs to help you find your way to the quarry and view. It’s not marked as well as your average land trust trail, but if you keep your wits about you, you should be fine!

Park a couple hundred feet up Durrell Hill Road, and then keep walking straight up the road. At the first fork in the trail, go left. You’ll pass a big red building. Continue going straight/left at the next intersection a little ways farther along. Keep following the snowmobile signs! I also saw one cairn. At 1.2 miles, you’ll come to a beautiful quarry pond that looks like it would be a great place to swim. The trail passes the quarry and swings right. A path heads east here, to the 1,414-foot summit of Singepole. You can also head right to reach a viewpoint 0.2 miles south of the quarry.

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Directions: For the Durrell Hill Road trail: from Route 117, turn onto Brett Hill Road. When the road curves sharply to the right, continue straight up Durrell Hill Road. When the trail forks again, park. Continue walking straight up the road. For the Halls Pond trail: From Route 119, turn onto Halls Pond Road, which is a semi-circle with two outlets on Route 119. If you’re coming from Paris, the small parking lot is on the left just before the boat launch and pond.