Aroostook Valley Trail:
Maine
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Description:
In the far northeast reaches of Maine, the Aroostook Valley Trail runs atop the bed of Aroostook County's only electric railroad, a line once used to transport passengers to school and work and to haul potatoes from farmland to market. Today the county remains a largely agricultural area, renowned for its broccoli and potatoes. The rail corridor was abandoned in 1951, and trail development began in 1994.
The 27-mile, crushed-stone rail-trail connects to the 58-mile BangorAroostook Trail (see page 53), so you can opt for a short jaunt or fill up an entire day (or two) touring and exploring the region. The trails are part of northern Maine's Interconnected Trail System, which comprises more than 3000 miles of ATV and snowmobile track. Don't let the motorized users deter you: As on many of Maine's trails, the snowmobilers and ATV users here mingle peacefully with bicyclists, walkers, skiers, and dogsledders.
Whatever your mode of travel, it's easy to plan a multiday excursion. Food and lodging are readily available along the route, and signs posted at major trail intersections indicate the distance not just to the next town, but to the next meal.
Washburn marks the junction with the BangorAroostook Trail. A few miles north, the Aroostook Valley Trail splits; head north toward New Sweden for a snack from the general store or east toward Caribou for food and lodging.
North of Washburn, evergreens and deciduous trees canopy the route, and wild apples hang for the picking. Elsewhere, the raised trail bisects wetland bogs, including Woodland Bog Preserve, where birders have identified 80 distinct species. Also keep watch for roaming moose and the mud-and-stick walls of beaver dams.
South of Washburn, the landscape opens up to vast potato farms. In late summer, the sweet aroma of potato blossoms fills the air. Potatoes are harvested in September and stored in potato houses-at major crossroads and abandoned sidings-until the spuds are sent to market. Watch for farm machinery crossing the trail during harvest.
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Parking & Trail Access:
In Washburn, you'll find trailhead parking north of town at Mill Pond Park on Station Road. In Presque Isle, you'll find parking on US Hwy. 1 just north of the Aroostook Centre Mall, on the south bank of the Aroostook River.
To reach the New Sweden trailhead from Caribou, take State Route 161 about 8 miles north to New Sweden and turn left on Westmanland Road. The trailhead is at the intersection of Westmanland and Jepson roads.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
none
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A two-trail system
By Kathy Mazzuchelli on October 01, 2003
"Please note that there are actually two distinct trails in this system. One is the Bangor/Aroostook Trail and the other is the Aroostook Valley Trail. The Bangor/Aroostook Trail currently runs from Mapleton to Van Buren on the south and west side of the area and from Caribou to Stockholm and then on to Van Buren on the east side.

The Aroostook Valley Trail connects to the Bangor/Aroostook Trail in Washburn and has trail heads in Mapleton, Caribou and New Sweden. The Bangor/Aroostook Trail is approximately 61 miles and the Aroostook Valley Trail is approximately 25.5 miles."
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Trail Facts
Trail End Points: New Sweden to Presque Isle
Counties: Aroostook
Trail Length: 27 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone, Dirt
Trail Activities: ATV, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6031224

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Guidebook: Learn more about other New England rail-trails in RTC's New England Guidebook.
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