Tumbledown

Tucked into the western mountains of Franklin County, Tumbledown is one of Maine’s most rewarding hiking destinations — a 10,555-acre stretch of rugged terrain crowned by an alpine pond that feels like it belongs in the Rockies, not New England.

The main draw is Tumbledown Pond, a pristine tarn nestled in a glacial cirque just below the 3,068-foot summit. Three trails lead to the top: the Brook Trail offers a moderate climb through hardwood forest, the Loop Trail adds scrambling over open ledge, and the Chimney Trail delivers a steep, hand-over-hand route through a narrow rock cleft — not for the faint of heart, but unforgettable. All three converge at the pond, where hikers cool off with a swim surrounded by sheer cliff walls.

Beyond Tumbledown itself, the surrounding public lands connect to neighboring peaks — Little Jackson, Big Jackson, and Blueberry Mountain — making multi-summit ridge walks possible for stronger hikers. The open ledges along these ridgelines deliver panoramic views of Rangeley Lake, Mount Washington, and the vast unbroken forest of western Maine.

Visit from late June through early October. Summer brings warm-water swimming at the pond and long daylight hours. September transforms the mountainside into a patchwork of crimson and gold, with fewer crowds than peak summer weekends. Spring trails can remain muddy and snow-covered well into May.

Come prepared with sturdy footwear and plenty of water — there are no facilities on the mountain. The trailhead parking lot fills early on summer weekends.

Explore Nearby

• Ladies Delight Light — Lighthouse in Maine
• Columbia Bridge — Covered Bridge in New Hampshire
• Columbia Bridge — Covered Bridge in Vermont
• White Mountain National Forest — National Forest in New Hampshire, Maine
• White Mountain Trail — Scenic Byway in New Hampshire