Tillinghast Pond Loop is a 2.3 mile loop trail located near West Greenwich, Rhode Island that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and birding and is best used from March until December. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
birding
hiking
trail running
walking
forest
lake
wildlife
bugs
NOTE: It is required to wear orange until the end of May when on this trail as hunting is allowed on the land. The trail circles Tillinghast Pond, with spectacular, long views across the water. The white-blazed Tillinghast Pond Loop alternates between forest and field, with a half-dozen or more spots to pause and look out over the pond. Leaving from the north end of the parking lot, the trail winds quietly among towering white pines, almost immediately leaving the rest of the world behind. Before long, the pond appears on the right, below, as the trail follows the spine of a small glacial esker. At the end of the ridge, the trail switches back sharply to the left; a spur trail to the right provides an even better view. Here, the trail overlaps with Plain Road for about a tenth of a mile, before cutting back to the right at the corner of a hayfield. This next segment of trail generally winds between the hayfields and the pond's edge, passing a bench at Howard's Rest, crossing a small stream, and leading to an observation platform. The platform is somewhat obscured from the trail, but don't miss it! Step out over the pond, and you'll swear you're in Maine rather than 40 minutes from Providence. Departing the platform and turning right, hikers leave the hayfields behind, and follow and up-and-down path through the forest for the next half-mile or so. Near the northeast corner of Tillinghast Pond, a bog bridge carries the trail over a low drainage area, where ash trees dominate instead of oak and pine. The second half of the loop is fairly straightforward, but two more scenic spots await: one seems to provide a last look at the pond from the bottom of a hill, but there is another lovely overlook coming up on the east side of the pond, down a short side trail. Along the way, there are two junctions with the Flintlock Trail, which explores the open woods to the east of Tillinghast Pond. The Pond Loop concludes with some of the largest white pines in the area, before returning to parking lot kiosk.
Warning: hunting on this land until May 31. The trail has signs warning of hunting and requiring the wearing orange until the end of May.
Nice easy trail.
Beautiful trail!!
Absolutely beautiful views. Trails are well kept and well marked. Very little incline. There are several trails that can be connected for longer hikes.
awesome trail on a beautiful day 50 degrees in Jan
Beautiful hiking area. Well marked diverse trails. Dogs should be on leash. Love dogs but not the ones that jump on you and almost knock you to the ground. Also, they chase wildlife.
Love this place. can't wait to go back and explore some more.
Easy, great views
easy walk. pleasant! !!
super fun and easy trail for a run. wide clearly marked paths
Its very pretty. Can be very busy on the weekends and since it connects to so many other paths (Coney, Wickaboxet) it can be as long or short as you want. The parking lot is nice and has an eco friendly bathroom though Id bring toilet paper just in case. Usually pretty clean. Lots of places to sit and take in some scenic spots if you need/want to.
It's a beautiful trail, but I'll say the bugs almost ruined the experience for me. The pup and I were running for our lives!
Toilet at trailhead. Multiple trail options with varying lengths. Very well maintained trail and clearly marked. Numerous lookout points to stop and sit with benches. Skirts along private fields, make sure to wear bug spray.
Quiet and enjoyable trail that was well maintained. Bathroom on site is a huge plus!
Great hiking. Even in the snow. New signs and history plaques. Well maintained.
Great! We did the Pond Loop trail, and part of another. All very well marked and beautifully kept trails. Did pick up some trash :( left by others. Lots of poison ivy so keep on the trails, and some pesky flies but our bug spray and the nice breeze kept them at bay. Lots of nice spots along the trail to sit and enjoy the beauty of the pond and all the wonderful surrounding nature. Picnic table at Phoebe's spot a nice addition. Will add this one to our favorites.
Beautiful location to hike.
Great trail for kids. Nice views. East blazing
I loved this trail!! It is the Mecca of pine trees. The ground is almost pillowy while under the pines. There are several really nice resting spots. Make sure to wear blaze orange during hunting season.
Nice easy hike for something to do for the day. beautiful scenery and well kept trails. Will do again
Nate B.
Great
I took this hike with the Narragansett Appalachian Mountain Club in the fall, combining the Pond Loop Trail with the Coney Brook Trail for a total of about 6 miles. It's a wonderful, well-maintained trail full of variety. The Coney Brook section has some ups and downs and babbling brooks with bridges, and the Pond Loop has great rocks for climbing, conveniently placed benches for resting, and of course the beauty of the pond. I loved these trails so much that the very next day I schlepped all 3 grandsons and a reluctant hubby back to the trail. We donned our bright orange and tackled the loop trail on a beautiful but chilly day, and had what I consider a perfect outing! For my younger 2 grandsons, it was their introduction to hiking, and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome....they loved it too, and the world now has 2 more nature/hiking enthusiasts!