Tumbledown Mountain Loop
A cult-favorite Maine peak with a chimney scramble and an alpine pond at the summit.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Length
- 5.6 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 2,050 ft
- Duration
- 4–6
- Best Season
- Jun–Oct
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Features
- Alpine pond, Chimney scramble
About the trail
Tumbledown Mountain (3,090 ft) packs more adventure into 5 miles than almost any peak in Maine. The Loop Trail climbs steeply through hardwoods to a famous boulder chimney — a near-vertical scramble where you literally chimney up between two rock walls. Above the chimney, Tumbledown Pond sits in a glacial basin just below the summit ridge, often with swimmers in late summer. From the West Peak the view spans the Mahoosucs to the White Mountains.
Trailhead map & directions
Turn-by-turn route
- From Weld, drive Byron Road 4.5 miles to the Loop Trail trailhead.
- Hike the Loop Trail east, climbing steadily.
- Reach the chimney scramble at ~1.5 miles — use hands and feet.
- Emerge at Tumbledown Pond.
- Climb to the West Peak summit (3,090 ft).
- Descend via the Brook Trail for a loop back to the road, then 0.5 miles on the road to your car.
Parking
Loop Trail trailhead has a small gravel lot. Brook Trail lot is larger if Loop is full.
Tips from the trail
- Skip the chimney by taking the Brook Trail up — it bypasses the scramble entirely.
- The pond is a worthy destination on its own for families with younger kids.
- Avoid the chimney when wet; the rock is greasy.
More in Maine
Mount Katahdin via Knife Edge
MEMaine's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Precipice Trail
MEAcadia's most exposed iron-rung climb up Champlain Mountain's east face.
Precipice Trail
MEAcadia's notorious iron-rung cliff climb up the face of Champlain Mountain.