The Mountain Trail system consists of a main trail 0.8 miles long, with shorter loop trails off each side (see descriptions below). The main trail, an old logging road, leads north from the parking area. The Great Pond Loop leaves the main trail on the right (east) at 0.4 miles, and the Long Pond Loop leaves the main trail on the left (west) at 0.5 miles. The main trail continues upward straight ahead. At the end of the main trail the Long Pond Loop rejoins it on the left and the Great Pond Loop rejoins it on the right. All trails end here. Private property lies ahead.
Great Pond Loop (0.4 miles, moderate): The Great Pond Loop (marked by a green arrow) enter the woods on the right (east) 0.4 miles from the parking area. The trail climbs as it winds through a glacial boulder field to a small open area—the highest point on The Mountain at 665 feet. The trail continues north and west, dropping down to rejoin the main trail at its end.
Long Pond Loop (0.4 miles, moderate): The Long Pond Loop (white arrow) leaves the main trail on the left (west) side 0.5 miles from the parking area. The trail descends moderately from the main trail and crosses several rock slabs and boulders before passing over a cliff with steep drop-offs and stunning views of Long Pond and the Kennebec Highlands. The trail then continues northeast to end at the main trail.
Outer Loop (1 mile, moderate): The Outer Loop is an existing road that transects the parcel and continues off site to the north, departing from the Main Trail about 150 feet from the summit of The Mountain. The loop heads north along the ridge before a short descent to the east, then returning south, roughly following the contours of the side of the Mountain, back to the Main Trail.
In 1998, Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (now the 7 Lakes Alliance), along with the Belgrade Lakes Association, acquired this 207-acre parcel on The Mountain. In 2011 they added another 41 acres North of the original parcel where a new trail will be installed.
Users should note that the main portion of the Mountain Trail is a multi-use trail allowing snowmobile use in the winter and horseback riders and mountain bikes all year. The loops are pedestrians only.
Visit 7 Lakes Alliance online for more information or contact:
From North: Drive 2.1 miles south on ME Route 27 from its intersection with ME Routes 225 in Rome and look for Mountain Drive on the eastern (left) side of the road. Turn onto Mountain Drive and continue 0.3 miles to the parking area and trailhead on the northern (left) side of the road.
From South: Drive north on ME Route 27 approximately one mile north of Belgrade Lakes Village and look for Mountain Drive on the eastern (right) side of the road. Turn onto Mountain Drive and continue 0.3 miles to the parking area and trailhead on the northern (left) side of the road.
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Jonathan - Director of Land Stewardship - 7 Lakes Alliance