Maine Bicycle Trails & Tours:
About the List
The primary focus of these listings is non-auto traffic roads, trails & paths open for bicycle use. A select number of on-road routes (the 25 MDOT-designated bike touring loops and the interim, on-road East Coast Greenway Route) are listed because they were especially selected by local bicyclists, utilize scenic, low-traffic roads and have detailed route descriptions. There are limitless, on-road bicycling opportunities in Maine. The rest of the BCM website has more on-road resource information.
All trails listed are on public land or, if on private land, we have obtained permission to list them.
All listed trails are open to hikers. Expect dogs (on or off leashes), horses and even ATVs on some trails. Remember "wheels yield to heels" (and to hooves where horses are allowed). Stay on the trail. Please respect all regulations and practice "Leave-No-Trace" trail ethics. Unless otherwise noted, these trails are only open during daylight hours.
On the trail detail pages there are two fields that bear special mention:
The Guide Reference field lists guide books that cover the trail (where available). The guides are listed by numbers which are keyed to the Guide Reference listings page. Click on the Guide Reference link to jump to that page and look up the guide for that trail.
The Local Bike Shops field lists bicycle shops that are in the town(s) near the trail head (where available). The shops are listed by numbers which are keyed to the Bike Shops listings page. Click on the Local Bike Shops link to jump to that page and look up the location information for shops near that trail.
DISCLAIMER: The information in the listings has been compiled by volunteers as a service to the bicycling community. The BCM does not monitor or maintain the trails. Changes in trail conditions are to be expected.
Database Criteria
Type describes the trail surface, either paved road, gravel road, shared use, double track or single track. Trails are categorized according to predominant surface type. In the case of tracks, we have used Double Track whenever there is no single track on the trail and Single Track whenever some single track is available. "Shared use" includes engineered trails such as rail conversions and Portland's multiuse trails.
Difficulty [Easy, Moderate, or Challenging]
Easy: Your grandmother can do it.
Moderate: Your grandfather thinks he can do it.
Challenging: Your teenage son says it's easy.
Trail Shape is indicated by symbols next to the trail names. Trails are either
loops (beginning and ending at the same point),
networks (several distinct trails interconnected or going out from the same trailhead), or
point-to-point (a single trail with different trailhead and trailend locations.
Distance is listed to the nearest mile. When trail networks are well defined, multiple distances are listed for the various trails in the network.
Towns lists towns that the trail passes through or the two towns that form the end points of a long trail. These are provided to help cyclists find the trail on a map.
Trailhead is described if there is a well defined trailhead. Otherwise, we have tried to refer cyclists to a trail guide where available.
Surface [paved, hard packed, or rough] indicates the dominant surface that would be encountered on a given trail. Be aware that even paved roads at times are interrupted with long stretches of very rough construction. However, if you are careful all trails can be used by cyclists.
Guide Reference gives you information about guide books that cover the trail in more detail. Where available, we have linked to online guides.
More Info tells you where you can get more information about the trail, such as links to online resources and phone numbers and e-mail addresses of trail managers.
Map indicates whether a trail map is available. When a map is available, we have provided information about how to obtain the map (or a link to an online version if it exists).
Signage indicates whether the trail is marked with signage.
Cue Sheet indicates whether a trail cue sheet is available. When a cue sheet is available, we have provided information about how to obtain the cue sheet (or a link to an online version if it exists).
Local Bike Shops lists up to three local bike shops near the trail head.
Other Allowed Uses includes horses and ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles). We have used the term ATV for the three- and four-wheeler "mini"-vehicles commonly used on trails as well as motorcycles and 4X4 trucks. Mountain bikers: be aware that if you are using a trail in winter you may encounter snowmobilers. We are not indicating known snowmobile usage in this category at this time. All cyclists: be aware that these trails may also be used by pedestrians (and skiers in the winter). Remember "wheels yield to heels" (and to hooves where horses are allowed).
Trail Friend Group provides information about organized groups that play a role in developing, maintaining, or managing the trail.
Description indicates general characteristics of the trail, such as the landscape, terrain, and unusual features or usages. As we receive user comments, they may be incorporated into the description.
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