6 Paved And Beautiful Paths In Maine That Are Perfect For A Family Bike Ride
While we love the spring and summer in Maine, there are lots of ways to get outside no matter the season. One of our favorites is taking a bike ride. Great for families, cycling is a wonderful way to get the heart pumping. But, most importantly, we love how much of the state you can see while on a bicycle. The following is a list of beautiful paved bike trails in Maine that offer great views, smooth routes, and lots of fun. Even if you prefer to walk them, you’ll have a memorable time experiencing the great outdoors!
1. The Papermill Trail, Lisbon
Papermill Trail / Miller Park, ME-196, Lisbon, ME 04250, USA
This route is a short 3.8 miles which makes it perfect if this is your first bike ride with the family. If you like it, do it twice! Then, head to one of the others on this list for a longer trip another day. Your trip will take you along the Sabattus River from Mill Street to the Androscoggin River. The trail ends in the north at Village Street in downtown Lisbon. We especially love that this trail can include a visit to Miller Park which has a boat launch, picnic area and a toilet. There's a lot to appreciate about this scenic rail-trail in Maine.
This trail is a great option for kids because it's smooth and flat. Plus it has a playground at the end of the 2.7-mile route which provides a little bit of excitement to look forward to once the one-way trip is complete. We love that there are scenic spots to take in the views. And remember to bring snacks since there are lots of places to stop. There are a few different ways to access the path. The main trail head is located at the end of Water Street in Brunswick. You can also access the trail at the end of Grover Lane. Truly, a trip to the Androscoggin River Trail is one of the best day trips in Maine.
When it comes to waterfront hiking trails in Maine, this coastal route is a beauty! Offering nearly 6 miles of trail through mostly residential areas, the route also includes a trip to Bug Light Park. Be prepared to start and stop a few times as the path intersects with small roads. You can find starting points at Bug Light Park and Madison Street off Broadway in South Portland
Journeying along this route means seeing residential areas before heading into the wetland areas of the Western Mountain region. You can access the trail in Farmington, Maine where there's plenty of parking. If you're out and about in the cold weather you'll find a warming hut with a wood-burning stove stocked with split wood south of the trail. The route begins and ends at Oak St. between Bridge St. and Thomas McClellan Road in Farmington and Bridge St. and Water St. in Livermore Falls.
Head to Capitol City Park in Augusta to access this 6.5-mile trail that will take you through Augusta, Hallowell, Farmingdale and Gardiner. This one is fun if you'd like to incorporate some sightseeing as Hallowell offers lots of shops and restaurants. This epic abandoned railroad hike in Maine is one that belongs on every explorer's bucket list.
This beautiful route has a bright future ahead of it! Ultimately it will be about 50 miles of trail connecting Portland to Fryeburg. Today it operates in two sections, one in the north and one in the south. The southern trail is about 6 miles connecting Windham to Standish. The northern route is almost 4 miles running through Fryeburg near the New Hampshire border. Trailheads can be found at Johnson Field on Route 35 in Standish, Gambo Recreational Center on Gambo Road in Windham and Shaw Park on Route 237 in Gorham. Learn more about this scenic and easy trail in Maine.
Have you ever experienced any of these lovely paved bike trails in Maine? If so, be sure to share your experiences with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! Or, if you have any other paved trails you’d like to recommend, feel free to fill out a nomination form.
Luckily for Mainers, there are lots more activities that are perfect for an outdoor outing. For something more unique, you can follow a sandy path to the waterfront when you visit Laudholm Beach in Maine.
Address: Mountain Division Trail, Standish, ME, USA
Address: Kennebec River Rail Trail, Augusta, ME, USA
Address: Papermill Trail / Miller Park, ME-196, Lisbon, ME 04250, USA
Address: Whistle Stop Rail-Trail, Jay, ME, USA
Address: Greenbelt Walkway, South Portland, ME 04106, USA
Address: Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
paved bike trails in Maine
June 02, 2022
Beth C.
What are some accessible trails in Maine?
Maine is full of breathtaking trails, ranging from coastal treks to mountainous terrain. If you’re curious about whether or not Maine has accessible trails, you’ll be pleased to hear that it does! Some of the top 10 accessible trails in Maine include the Cadillac Summit Loop Trail in Acadia National Park, Thunder Hole to Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, the Marginal Way Walkway, Jesup Path in Acadia National Park, Mackworth Island Hiking Trail in Mackworth Island State Park, Back Cove Trail in Back Cove Park, and Moxie Falls Trail.
What’s an easy hiking trail in Maine?
When it comes to outdoor adventures, Maine has a little bit of everything: challenging treks and meandering pathways. If you’re looking for something in the latter category, you’ll want to plan a trip to the Sebago to Sea Trail. This easy, relatively little-known trail is marked by 7 different sections, and you can tackle as many or as few as you’d like depending on your preference. One of the best parts about this easy and beautiful hiking trail in Maine is that it’s memorable in any season.
Address: Mountain Division Trail, Standish, ME, USA
Address: Kennebec River Rail Trail, Augusta, ME, USA
Address: Papermill Trail / Miller Park, ME-196, Lisbon, ME 04250, USA
Address: Whistle Stop Rail-Trail, Jay, ME, USA
Address: Greenbelt Walkway, South Portland, ME 04106, USA
Address: Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
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Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
