7 Lakes Alliance maintains over 20 miles of trails in the Belgrade Lakes watershed, often with the cooperation of other organizations, like Maine's Bureau of Parks and Lands. Trails like The Mountain and Mt. Phillip are very popular and see year round traffic from both locals and visitors.
The Fogg Island Trail, located off Spring Hill Road in Mount Vernon, is a true hidden gem conserved by 7 Lakes. The property features a 2-mile, one way, trail that leads to Lower Long Pond. Along the way, hikers will pass through several distinct natural communities, including young deciduous forests, vibrant and diverse wetlands, and tall, dark stands of hemlock forest. The trail ends with a beautiful section of bog bridging through a fragile vernal pool ecosystem, leading to a picnic area with scenic lake access. This trail can also be accessed from the water, if visitors would prefer to paddle to the picnic area and explore the preserve from the lake.
The Fogg Island Preserve is more than 650 acres in total, and its undeveloped shoreline helps to safeguard water quality in Long Pond. This wetland ecosystem provides fantastic wildlife habitat and open space for outdoor recreation, including hiking, paddling, and skiing. For more information on 7 Lakes trails and conserved land, visit 7lakesalliance.org.
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