Jordan Pond Nature Trail

Jordan Pond Nature Trail is an easy loop of about a quarter mile from the North Jordan Pond Lot by the boat ramp. It reaches a stone causeway at the pond inlet, follows a short stretch of shore and returns toward Jordan Pond House. Give it about 20 minutes if you stop at the memorial bench. This is the compact inlet walk, not a circuit of the whole pond.

Older records put the loop at 0.2–0.3 miles, close to the 0.23-mile mapped route. Longer versions appear to add more of the pond shore; this route stops at the inlet loop.

The walk uses a broad gravel path through trees, with exposed roots underfoot. At the inlet, the route turns along the shore past the boat ramp and a stone memorial bench, then climbs gently toward the House paths before looping back. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet. If you want a longer shoreline hike, choose the separate Jordan Pond Path around the pond.

This Nature Trail reused part of the early Sieur de Monts Historic Vistas trail system. A short stone-lined section is visible beside the boat-ramp access road. The bench commemorates Sarah Eliza Sigourney Cushing and carries a bronze plaque; the trail record says the plaque was replaced in 1989 and a low stone wall was built beside the path in 2002.

The park’s trail list describes the interpretive route as no longer in use while noting that signs remain. Older descriptions mention ten numbered stops and a return pamphlet, so don’t count on that interpretation being complete or current.