This trail leads to a massive pond hidden in the woods off of Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth. It's dog-friendly and is conveniently located near a dairy bar. Now you can have your hike, your dog and your ice cream. And eat it too.
The 1.5 mile one way (out and back) includes views of Great Pond along the walk through fields, woodland, and wetland marsh. It also includes the longest elevated boardwalk I have ever seen at 700 feet! Great Pond is a 40-acre freshwater pond, used in the summer for boating/fishing and in the winter for ice skating and ice fishing. This trail is mostly flat with minimal grade changes, but does include steep stone stairs just past the first view of the pond at Davis Point Overlook.
This trail can be accessed from Fenway Road , Vernon Road, Sweet Fern Road and Route 77 across from the Kettle Cove Ice Cream. During their off-season, Kettle Cove allows three trail parking spaces, facing Route 77 between the telephone pole and the fire hydrant. During their summer ice cream season, please access the trail from one of the other trailheads.
The trailhead is across the street from the dairy bar - look for the Town Greenbelt sign. The beginning of this trail gives no indication of the wondrous things to come. You’ll start by walking alongside a road and private backyards, but in no time at all, you will arrive at your first (and the best) view of Great Pond from a rocky lookout.
Continue onward towards the very long boardwalk. This section will lead to a peaceful trail through the woods that you can follow to the end before turning back. Or, you could take a short loop hugging the water that will bring you back sooner. Maps are located throughout the trail and the All Trails link is here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/great-pond-trail
The Great Pond Trail connects to the 8.2 mile Cross Town Trail, which winds from Portland Headlight in Fort Williams Park to Kettle Cove State Park. Could be a fun challenge to add to your summer list.
This trail is managed by the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust and the Town of Cape. Teamwork makes the dreamwork.
Last but not least, to all the moms out there: baby moms, dog moms, chinchilla moms (we're all moms in one way or another) - I hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday, whether you hike, eat ice cream or sit on your arse (you have every right). Happy Mother's Day.
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