Harold Parker State Forest Easy Forest Loop

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Short Trip (about 2 1/2 miles)

• Start at the Harold Parker SF headquarters
• Go right on Middleton Road
• Take the first right onto Harold Parker Road. You’ll soon pass Stearns Pond.
• About ¼ mile past the pond on the right, pull off the pavement and ride on the unpaved road which goes generally south along the eastern side of the pond. This is doable on a road bike unless it’s very muddy; though of course it’s easier with wide tires. The road becomes paved near the southern shore of the pond.
• If you wish to make this a very short ride, bear right along the old beach road, and follow it back to the headquarters.

Longer Trips (up to 7 miles)

• Instead of turning back to the HQ, go out to the main park road again and turn left.
• Follow main park road about ½ mile to the next paved road to the left. This is the Sudden Pond loop, which is also very pleasant, easy and short. The ride takes you to the shore of the pond, which is a lovely spot for a picnic. The loop is probably just ½ mile itself, and then it’s less than a mile back to the headquarters.
• To add a few more miles and a visit to the public beach, turn left onto the woods road opposite the headquarters, and follow it a short way, turning right onto Harold Parker Road (unpaved section) and following this over to Berry Pond Road, where you’ll take a right. The pond is about ¾ mile on the right. There is no charge for bicyclists. To get back to the headquarters, turn right at end of Berry Pond Road onto Middleton Road, and take it back to your starting point.