Heald Pond

Length: 1.7 miles out-and-back with loop

Difficulty (click for info): Beginner

Elevation Gain: minimal

Rating (click for info): 5/10

Elevation: 835'

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are on Heald Road in Wilton, NH. To get there, take King Brook Road from the west side of Rt. 31, 2.4 miles south of Rt. 101 and 3.3 miles north of Rt. 31's northern junction with Rt. 123. Drive 0.8 miles on King Brook Road, then turn left onto Kimball Hill Road. In less than 0.1 miles, turn right onto Heald Road. Warning: Heald Road may be rough in mud season. Drive 0.4 miles, passing a parking area with a Forest Society kiosk, and park at a small pull-off across from a gate.

About the Hike:
Peaceful Heald Pond is a great place for an afternoon walk. Located in the Forest Society's Heald Tract, the pond is bordered on one side by a short walking trail that follows its shore past many scenic viewpoints over the water. Walk past the gate across from the pull-off and follow the Heald Pond Trail to the first view of the pond at a stone bench. The trail then wanders through the woods until it meets the pond again in a grassy meadow. A boardwalk leads across the grass, passing a wide path on the right. Soon the trail comes upon a shoreline rock, a good place to sit and enjoy the pond for a while. It continues along the shore, but soon turns into the woods on a relocation, soon passing Ledge Cutoff (signed for Fisk Hill Trail) on the right. At the end of this section through the forest, a spur leads back out to the water at a good viewpoint signed "Look See". Soon the main trail joins the pond again and turns to the right as the water bends. It continues to follow the shore until it reaches the north end of the pond, where it turns away from the water; turn right to stay on the trail where Fisk Hill Trail continues straight. Continue until you see Ledge Cutoff on the right. Turn onto this trail and enjoy a short forest walk back to Heald Pond Trail.

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