Pondicherry Park

Pondicherry Park includes 66 acres of woodlands and streams in the heart of Bridgton. The woodchipped pathway leads you deep into the park where there are signs of beaver, deer, mink, pileated woodpeckers, and spotted salamanders.
Trail Activity
Accessible Adventure Snowshoeing Cross-country-skiing Hiking
Length
2.30 miles, Network
Difficulty
Moderate
Town
Bridgton
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone
Pets
Permitted on leash
Fees
No

Description

HIGH USE TRAIL:

This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods. Use Maine Trail Finder to identify other nearby trails. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, please choose another trail.

The 66 acre park in the center of Bridgton's downtown, offers a 2.3 mile trail network. Trails follow the Stevens and Willet Brooks and overgrown pastures. There are two bridges to see, one a 60' covered bridge at the main entrance off Depot Street.

Pondicherry Loop (0.6 miles, moderate): Marked with yellow, this trail leaves from the main trailhead, crossing Steven's Brook to loop into the interior of the park.

Kneeland Spring Trail (0.1 miles, easy): This blue-marked trail, provides a cut off for the Pondicherry Loop trail and passes the Kneeland Spring, a spring with historical value as a once water source.

Pasture Trail (0.2 miles, easy): As the name suggest this red-marked trail meanders through old pasture as it connects the Snowshoe Hare Trail with Stonewall and Pondicherry Loops.

Stonewall Loop Trail (0.6 miles, moderate): This orange-marked loop is accessed from South High Street at the Bridgton Hospital and connects to the Pondicherry Loop and Pasture Trail.

Snowshoe Hare Trail (0.3 miles, moderate): This trail, marked in white, provides another access point from South High Street, connecting with the Pondicherry Loop and Pasture Trail.

Willet Brook Trail (0.2 miles, easy): This trail follows the banks of Steven's and Willet Brooks and is easily accessed by the Steven's Brook Elementary School. An educational amphitheater located near the Ham Bridge allows a chance for students to utilize the park as an outdoor classroom.

There is a 0.7-mile universally accessible trail that runs along the eastern side of the network from the Bob Dunning covered bridge to Willet Road, utilizing sections of the trails described above. The trail winds through a number of forest types and along portions of Stevens & Willett Brooks. It has a packed gravel surface, gradual slopes, and is six feet wide at its narrowest point. There are rest areas on which to pull off and a few benches as well.

Read about Enock's experience using a wheelchair on these trails in MTF Storiesbut note that the accessible trail has been improved significantly since he visited. 

Other Information

Please note: dogs are allowed on the Pet Loop *only.* Please respect other hikers and do not take dogs on the other trails.

Park Rules:

  • Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Bicycles are not allowed in the park and can be left at the entryways.
  • Dogs are allowed only on the designated trail and they must be leashed. Dog owners are responsible for all waste removal.
  • Camping and camp fires are not allowed.
  • Hunting is prohibited by local ordinance.
  • There is a carry-in, carry-out policy. Visitors are asked to help remove any litter they may find.
  • Please stay on marked trails.
  • Please do not disturb plants or wildlife, and please do not feed the wildlife.
  • Please respect the quiet and serene nature of the park.

 

LMF Logo

This trail was made possible in part with funds from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF). For more information about MOHF and the wildlife and conservation projects it has contributed to, please visit the MOHF webpage.

 

Trail Manager

Visit the Town of Bridgton online for more information or contact:

Loon Echo Land Trust

Loon Echo Land Trust
8 Depot Street, Suite 4
Bridgton, ME 04009
Phone: (207) 647-4352
info@lelt.org
View website

Town of Bridgton

Town of Bridgton
3 Chase Street, Suite 1
Bridgton, Maine 04009
Phone: (207) 647-8786
View website

Nearby Events

VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

Trail Tips

Dispose of Waste Properly
Wash your dishes at least 200 feet away from water sources, use biodegradable soap sparingly, and scatter the dishwater.
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Trailhead Information

The main trailhead and kiosk is at the Bridgton Municipal and Community Center. From US-302 / Main Street in downtown Bridtgon, turn onto Depot Street. Depot Street is south of Main Street and connects to it at either: the trailhead and parking at at the Municipal parking lot are a short distance from the western end of the street. The Bob Dunning covered Bridge and unique kiosk are visible from the parking lot.

Visitors can also access the park just down the road from the municipal parking on Depot Street behind the Stevens Brook Elementary School, or at the South High Street entrance, across from the Bridgton Hospital. For the latter, parking is available in the back lot of Bridgton Hospital.

There are two main entrances for the accessible trail, one from the Depot Street/Bob Dunning Bridge side and one from Willett Road.

 The trail is additionally accessible by public transportation. The Lake Region Explorer (part of the Regional Transportation Program) travels between Portland and Bridgton (with many stops along the way) and will drop you at the Bridgton Community Center, just across the parking lot from the trailhead. Kiosk signs will be updated to reflect the new trail features. 

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
wilderanne
September 19, 2020
Charming little park that connects to the Maine Lake Science Center. Pets only allowed at the North end on the Snowshoe Hare loop (.6 mi). The Science Center loop at the South end has low-to-the-ground challenge course elements scattered about in groups. Balance beams, wiggling logs, hanging steps, that sort of thing. If I can figure it out I'll upload a scan of the map we used today.
ajmorgan82014
August 01, 2020
This place is great. Very easy trail. Perfect for the whole family including young kids. They have several obstacle courses for kids and adults. Trails are very well marked with very nice signs at intersections.
gwright867@gmail.com
July 29, 2020
What a shame 66 acres and you can't allow dogs anywhere .
I guess we won't be coming then
jctingle83
June 30, 2017
Great starter trail for kids. Brought my six and eight year old for a casual starter hike for the season. Well marked trails, lots of engaging features to keep kids focused, and lots of flexibility in regards to distance traveled.
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