Length: 7.2 miles round trip from Bennington
4.0 miles round trip from Woodford
Feature: Mountain
Max elevation change: 2160 ft. from Bennington
1580 ft. from Woodford
USGS maps: Bennington & Woodford Quads
Amount of use: Light to Moderate
Hiking level: Moderate
Average hike time: 4 ½ hrs. round trip from Bennington
2 ½ hrs. round trip from Woodford
Use restrictions: No horses, mountain bikes, or motorized vehicles
From Bennington: The trail, marked with blue blazes, begins where a power line crosses North Branch Street Extension. The trail follows an old woods road for 0.9 miles and then proceeds, crossing and following several brooks. Climbing several switchbacks and traversing some old rockslides, the trail reaches White Rocks at 2.6 miles. A spring is passed at 3.1 miles, and the junction with the West Ridge Trail is attained at 3.5 miles. The summit is 0.1 miles further north (left) on the West Ridge Trail.
From Woodford Hollow: The trail uses an old woods road, occasionally crossed by other old roads.
Pay close attention to the blue blazes. At 0.3 miles, at the Forest Service Boundary that’s marked with red paint, turn left onto the footpath, which, at 1.6 miles, meets a spur trail leading to a seasonal spring at “Bear Wallow”. Natural springs are not tested for potability; please treat all drinking water. Ascending switchbacks, the trail reaches the West Ridge Trail at 1.9 miles. The summit is 0.1 miles beyond.
- Note: Bald Mountain is no longer ‘bald’, due to the growth of evergreens in recent years.
- Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in
For the trail leading out of Bennington: From Route 7, take Kocher Drive, which is just north of downtown Bennington, east. Kocher Drive runs straight into North Branch Street Extension at a light. Follow North Branch Street Ext. to the power transmission line crossing (limited parking). From Rte 9, turn north on North Branch St., which is ¾ mile east of downtown Bennington. Turn right over a bridge onto N. Branch St. Ext. and follow to the power transmission line crossing (limited parking).
For the trail leading from Woodford Hollow: From Bennington, take Rte 9 for about 4.0 miles east to Harbor Road. From the east, take Rte 9 west for 1.2 miles past the Appalachian/Long Trail crossing to Harbor Road. - Turn north onto Harbor Rd. and follow for 0.8 miles. At a concrete water tank, turn left off the road into an open area. The trailhead is found at the edge of the woods.
Food and Services: Bennington
For all Emergencies: 911
911 Information: The trailhead from Bennington is off North Branch Street Extension, Bennington.
The trailhead from Woodford is off Harbor Road, Woodford.