From the parking area, take a right and walk down Varney Road for approximately 0.2 miles to the trailhead, located on your right. The trail begins at a break in the stonewall marked by trail signs. Cross the stone wall bordering the road, follow the turtle blazes past a huge bull pine on the left, then turn sharply left to cross a low, mossy stone wall. Pass through a red and white pine forest, follow to the right of a large stone wall, then cross another low, mossy wall. Wind upslope to a junction where an old trail from Colcord Pond enters from the left. Turn right and climb through a hemlock grove to a big ledge view on the left, then continue along the ridge to trail’s end and another outlook at the summit. Both provide an excellent spot to sit and enjoy the views. The trail is marked with small red signs containing a yellow turtle logo. Including the walk from the parking area, the trail is approximately 1.2 miles round-trip, getting steeper near the end.
Bald Ledge is available for hiking, nature study, and other low-impact activities. The parking area is not accessible in the winter and there is no room for off-street parking on the nearby roads. Please carry out your trash and leave the flora and fauna as you find it. Motor and wheeled vehicles are not allowed on the trail at any time. Bald Ledge is surrounded by private property, so please be considerate of the neighbors. Hunting is allowed, so dress appropriately during hunting season. Please keep your pets under control.
Visit the Francis Small Heritage Trust online for more information or contact:
Bald Ledge is located in Porter and is accessed from Kennard Hill Road at its intersection with Danforth Lane. At this intersection, you will see a sign for the Bald Ledge Trail. Turn onto Danforth Lane; travel approx 350 yards to Varney Road. You will see a sign directing you to the Bald Ledge Parking Area on your right. Varney Road is a discontinued road and is not well maintained -- note, Google Maps data for Varney Road is not accurate. It can be navigated by cars, but use caution as sometimes it may be a little more difficult to navigate. Travel approximately 400 feet to the parking area located on your right. The parking area can accommodate 10-12 vehicles.
From the South (Portland, Cornish, Ossipee, NH) take ME-25 to First County Road in Porter (mistakenly referred to as Old County Road on most GPS systems and mapping software, however road signs identify it as First County Road). Turn North onto First County Road; continue for approximately 1.5 miles. At the stop sign, turn left onto Colcord Pond Road; continue for approximately 2.8 miles until you reach Dana Weeks Road. Turn left on Dana Weeks Road for approximately 300 feet, then turn right onto Kennard Hill Road. Continue on Kennard Hill Road for approximately 1.4 miles until you reach Danforth Lane on your right.
From the North (Brownfield, Conway, Fryeburg, etc.) take ME-113 to Main Street in Brownfield (ME-160 S). Stay on Main Street for approximately 2 miles. Stay to your right to continue onto Hampshire Road / River Road / Eaton Center Road. Continue for approximately 3.5 miles to Porter Road. Turn left onto Porter Road and continue for 3.8 miles to Danforth Lane on your left (Porter Road will turn into Kennard Hill Road when you cross the border between Brownfield and Porter).
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