Jordan Pond and the Bubbles

The walk starts at Jordan Pond House. Take the Jordan Pond Path along the east shore, on level crushed stone. About two-thirds of the way up the pond the Bubbles Trail turns off and climbs steeply over rock to South Bubble; follow the blue blazes to Bubble Rock, a boulder left by the ice on the edge of the drop. Go down to the gap between the Bubbles and climb the open granite ledges to North Bubble. Return to the gap and take the Bubbles Divide Trail down to the head of the pond. Come back along the west shore, over rocks and a long run of boardwalk.

It is 4.2 miles (6.8 km) around with 770 feet (236 m) of climbing; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy on our scale, which goes by time, but the climb to South Bubble is a short, steep scramble and the ledges are slick when wet.

Jordan Pond is a public water supply, so wading and swimming are forbidden at all times. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

The Jordan Pond car parks fill early in summer and autumn. The fare-free Island Explorer bus stops here from mid-June to October. A park entrance pass is needed ($35 a vehicle for a week; non-US residents pay $100 each more without an annual pass).

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.