Distance: A little over a mile
Difficulty: Easy
I love a trails that provide an opportunity to cool off after a hike. Willard Ponds offers an array of activities for the outdoor lover from various hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming.
My favorite trail is the Tutor Trail that goes a little over a mile along the pond to a point with a very small beach area. Along the way there are several opportunities for swimming. It's also my golden retriever's favorite trail as she spends most the of the time in the water. If there has been a good rain there is a small waterfall about 3/4 up the trail on the left. If it is flowing, you can get under it. We frequent this trail a lot in the evening when we are looking to cool off on a hot summer night.
In addition to the Tutor Trail, there are also trails that lead to the top of Bald Mountain and a trail that go off to the south side of Willard Pond. I have gone up Bald Mountain, but it has been a few years and I missed the cut off trail to the ledges and ended up doing a big loop from the parking lot back to the pond. It is on my list of trails to do again. For more information about the Trails at Willard Pond check out the NH Audubon Website.
In the summer, this can be a popular spot for paddling fun, swimming and hiking, be aware that on the weekend the parking lot can fill out quickly.
Directions to Willard Pond: From Hancock Village go west 3.7 miles on Route 123 to Davenport Road on right. Go 1.6 miles, continuing along Willard Pond Road, and bearing left at fork, to parking lot
