Do you enjoy spending time outside in the Lake Region?

Have you ever hiked Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain or Pismire Mountain?

Maybe you’ve enjoyed the sunset from the top of Hacker’s Hill or the new walking path at Peabody Fitch Woods.

The one thing these places have in common is that they are owned and managed by Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT), which means that public access to these Lake Region gems is secured forever.

And now, with access to the outdoors more important than ever, you can give back to these trails and preserves by participating in the 2020 Trek for the Trails. 100% of the $20 registration fee supports the trails you know and love, and the ones you have yet to discover. All you have to do is register and go enjoy some time outside at an LELT preserve property in whatever way works best for you. All Trekkers will be entered into a raffle for some awesome prizes, too.

There are many ways for you and your family to participate in the Trek this year:

• Visit any LELT trail or preserve throughout the month of September and hike, walk, bike (on select trails), stroll or take in the view from the top of Hacker’s Hill.

• Take on the challenge of visiting four LELT preserves over the course of the month with the “Trek Passport.”

• For trail runners, a 5.6-mile route on Pleasant Mountain via a Strava segment to compete for pie!

Trekkers will have the whole month of September to complete their Trek. Registration is $20 per adult, and the Trek is free for youth 16 and under. Registration can be done online at www.lelt.org/trek or by mailing a check to LELT (memo: Trek) at 8 Depot St., Ste 4 Bridgton, ME 04009. Participants may register up until Wednesday, Sept. 30.

All Trek participants will automatically be entered into a raffle for prizes from local businesses, including a 2020-2021 season pass to Shawnee Peak Ski Area. Gift cards from Q-Team, Bridgton Books and Depot Street Tap House, Ski Hot Ski Shop apparel, a one-night stay at Pleasant Mountain Camping, and more!

Trek for the Trails is Loon Echo Land Trust’s largest annual fundraising event. Funds raised from the Trek help Loon Echo steward over 8,000 acres of land and 30-plus miles of trail in the Lake Region. LELT’s goal this year is to raise $15,000 — about a quarter of the annual cost to maintain LELT’s trails and preserves, all of which are available to the public year-round and free of charge. 

The 2020 Trek for the Trails is generously sponsored by Norway Savings Bank, Shawnee Peak Ski Area, Q-Team Tree Service and many other local businesses.

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) is a member supported, non-profit land trust that works to protect the land and natural resources of the northern Sebago Lake region for future generations. Loon Echo conserves over 8,000 acres of land and manages 32 miles of hiking and biking trails in the towns of Bridgton, Casco, Denmark, Harrison, Naples, Raymond and Sebago. For more information on, LELT preserves, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit lelt.org or their Facebook page.