Pleasant Mountain

Pleasant Mountain, on the line between Bridgton and Denmark in western Maine, is the tallest mountain in southern Maine at 2,006 feet. Loon Echo Land Trust owns 2,064 acres of it and looks after a 10-mile hiking network with four trailheads: the Ledges Trail (1.8 miles, with the largest parking lot), the Bald Peak Trail, the Southwest Ridge Trail and the Firewarden's Trail. Dogs are welcome on a leash. The Pleasant Mountain ski area on the mountain's slopes is owned and run separately.

Where It Is

Pleasant Mountain stands in Bridgton and Denmark, northwest of Sebago Lake. Loon Echo Land Trust calls it one of the defining landmarks of the Sebago Lake region; you can see it from the Songo River Queen II's cruises on Long Lake.

The Trails

All four trailheads have parking for at least six cars; the Ledges lot holds about 20.

Ledges Trail: 1.8 Miles, Blue Blazes

From Mountain Road to the main summit, with scenic overlooks on the way up. Elevation gain is 1,600 feet.

Bald Peak Trail: 2.4 Miles, Blue Blazes

From a parking area on the west side of Mountain Road. It climbs 1,900 feet to Big Bald Peak and then follows the ridge to the main summit.

Southwest Ridge Trail: 2.7 Miles, Yellow Blazes and Cairns

From Denmark Road on the western side of the mountain, it reaches the southwest summit first, then the main summit.

Firewarden's Trail: 2.3 Miles, Red Blazes

From Wilton Warren Road on the northwest side, gaining 1,500 feet. Loon Echo maintains it, but it crosses private land open to the public by the owner's permission. Snowmobiles use it in winter, and logging machinery often works on the lower section.

Planning Your Hike

• Shortest climb: the Ledges Trail, 1.8 miles with 1,600 feet of gain.
• Most climbing: the Bald Peak Trail, 2.4 miles with 1,900 feet of gain, over Big Bald Peak.
• Longest approach: the Southwest Ridge Trail, 2.7 miles, over the southwest summit.
• From the northwest: the Firewarden's Trail, 2.3 miles with 1,500 feet of gain; watch for logging equipment low down.
• Parking: every trailhead holds at least six cars, and the Ledges lot about 20. If a lot is full, pick another trailhead.

Loon Echo's whole network is about 10 miles, so hikers can link trails across the summits.

Rules on the Mountain

• Dogs on a leash. Pick up and carry out all waste.
• Carry in, carry out.
• No fires and no camping.
• No motor vehicles beyond the parking areas, except where designated on the Firewarden's Trail.
• Wear blaze orange in hunting season.
• Groups and commercial users should contact Loon Echo Land Trust first.

The Ski Area

Searches for Pleasant Mountain peak in January, in ski season. The Pleasant Mountain ski area is owned and managed separately from Loon Echo's land and trails; check the ski area's own website for lifts, tickets and hours. This page covers the hiking preserve.

Combine It With Sebago

A morning on Pleasant Mountain and an afternoon swim at Sebago Lake State Park is a full day. For a shorter climb with a view, try Douglas Mountain in Sebago. See also Naples, Maine.