You'll Love These Scenic And Laid Back Rail Trails In Maine
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Michelle
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The state of Maine makes it easy to bring you the best outdoor recreation activities. We love writing about things like hiking trails and outdoor must-dos because we just have so many options here! But, sometimes it’s nice to be outside without really doing much. A nice walk or a simple stroll can make for a lovely, laid back Maine day. And, now that the air is getting cooler and the leaves will soon begin to change, just being outside is activity enough.
Today, we’re giving you some of the best options in Maine for exploring rail trails. The state’s multi-use trails provide 310 miles of exploring through forests, farms and fields. The trails can be used for mountain biking, hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and more.
The Eastern Trail is one part lovely area to explore and one part work-in-progress. It is being created along the old Eastern Railroad Corridor, which once played hom to the first railroad to connect Boston to Portland, in operation from 1842 until 1945. Currently, The Eastern Trail winds its way through and around many parts of Southern Maine, including Scarborough, Saco, Portland and Kennebunk to name just a few. Plans to expand the trail are always in the works and you can keep up with these by checking in with The Eastern Trail Alliance by clicking here. You can also read up on the many events that take place on the trail, including this past weekend's lighthouse ride.
This 850-mile trail Trail connects Ellsworth to Ayers Junction in the eastern part of the state. It represents a pretty large portion of the northeastern head of the East Coast Greenway and has been created for hiking, thick-tire bicycles, ATVs, horses, cross country skis and snowmobiles. While you can certainly walk this trail., it really is best for ATVs and biking. Though be sure to have the proper tires for any gravel-based trail activities.
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The Papermilli is one of the shortest on this list at a simple 3.8 miles. The paved trail runs along the Sabattus River from Mill Street to where it connects with the Androscoggin River. The trail ends in the north at Village Street in the center of Lisbon. One of the best things about this trail is the inclusion of Miller Park. The park offers a boat launch, picnic area and a (rudimentary) toilet.
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The old Aroostook Valley Railroad bed lies between Presque Isle and New Sweden, passing through Caribou, Washburn and Woodland. A trip along the almost 29-mile stone trail will take you through the backcountry of northern Maine, through farms, woods, streams and the Aroostook River. This trail also lies within close proximity of another trail on this list – the Bangor and Aroostook Trail – which is one of the longest running multi-use trails in Maine.
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A lovely 6.5-mile trail follows the Kennebec River on its west side as it bends and curves its way towards the coast. It also follows the railroad tracks that once connected Portland to Augusta. While they are no longer in use, they're still maintained today in case they are ever used in the future. Stone markers are used every quarter mile to track the distance and look just like the original markers once used in conjunction with the train. Trailheads exist in Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner, but we recommend beginning your journey in Augusta to enjoy the entire trail.
While this trail was created with snowmobiles and ORVs in mind, it also appeals to hikers and mountain bikers. A trip along this route will take you through residential areas, and then into the wetland areas that are plentiful in the Western Mountain region. The best place to access the trail is Farmington, where you'll find easy parking. South of this trailhead is a warming hut with a wood-burning stove stocked with split wood. The hut is made possible by Franklin Memorial Hospital.
The Newport/Dover–Foxcroft Rail-Trail will connect you to Newport and Dover-Foxcroft, allowing for access to five towns, two rivers, three lakes and tons of beautiful Maine vistas. The trail has been created for use by hikers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, dogsledders, equestrians, snowmobilers and ATV riders. In the summer, the trail can be a bit bumpy for those choosing to cycle, so be aware if this is your activity of choice.
Winding through between Houlton and Phair Junction, this 37-mile trail is just about the longest multi-use trail in the state. Primarily gravel, it connects the towns of Monticello, Bridgewater and Mars Hill to larger towns like Presque Isle and Houlton. Paralleling Route 1, the trail runs along an old train corridor that used to be used to transport timber and potatoes. A trip on this trail will take you past farmlands, woods and wetlands. Keep in mind that this trail is fairly remote, so only those confident in being in the wilderness should tackle this one - just in case anything should go wrong.
For more information on Maine’s rail trails, check out the Trail Link website which provides photos and directions for finding these and more!
Looking for more easy outdoors activities in Maine? Check out our recent article on easy hikes to add to your outdoor bucket list in Maine.
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