Kennebec River Rail Trail:
Maine
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
A stunning gateway to Maine's capital city, the Kennebec River Rail-Trail follows the railroad right-of-way that once connected Portland to Augusta. The trail parallels the inactive railroad tracks, which have been maintained in the hope they will one day be used again. Granite quarter-mile markers mimic the original larger markers the railroad once used.
The trail also follows the 120-mile Kennebec River, a historic waterway named by the Abnaki Indians and meaning 'long, quiet waters."" Once extremely polluted, the river is now a thriving habitat for fish and wildlife, largely due to clean water laws and removal of the Edwards Dam, built in Augusta back in 1837. Atlantic salmon, striped bass, and American shad, as well as alewife, blueback herring, and rainbow smelt, visit the Kennebec, which also shelters one of the few extant breeding populations of the rare Atlantic sturgeon. Don't be surprised if you spot a bald eagle soaring the river in hopes of a good catch.
The trail begins beneath Augusta's Memorial Bridge, where you'll find parking and a trailhead information kiosk. Heading south along this asphalt-paved stretch, you'll soon leave the capital city's hustle and bustle behind. The picturesque Kennebec flows to your left, while a high slope on the right shields you from the nearby capitol complex. At about the half-mile marker, look across the river to the Kennebec Arsenal, whose massive stone buildings are to be developed and repurposed into commercial and residential housing units.
Near the 1-mile marker, a side path leads down to the trail from the State Capitol complex. Constructed of native granite, the building's portico and front facade, with a towering arcade, is the work of noted American architect Charles Bulfinch.
Between the 1.5- and 1.75-mile markers, the trail curves to the right. Here, the surface changes from asphalt to firmly packed stone dust. Note the massive stone blocks that form a retaining wall farther south on the inland side of the corridor. As a white church steeple comes into view, the trail diverges from the rail corridor and enters the town of Hallowell, where you'll find a variety of shops and eateries.
Work is underway to complete the final 3-mile section of trail from Hallowell to Farmingdale, where it will connect with an existing milelong segment to Gardiner.
... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Augusta trailhead, take Interstate 95 to Exit 30B and head east on State Route 202. Follow 202 to the traffic circle and take State Route 201 south. At the second set of lights, turn left, and then turn right into the trailhead parking lot.
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Bike Shop along the way
By cheurich on August 21, 2010
My husband and I biked this trail yesterday (8/20/2010). Absolutely beautiful. The last unpaved stretch (around mile marker 2) is being paved next week.
In Gardiner, my husband's front tire went flat and we set out to look for a bike shop. There is a great one, at around mile marker 5 (just leave the trail and walk up the parallel road). It is called Mathieu's; they did the repair quickly and were friendly and welcoming, with some local stories as well, if you care to ask.
Some additional info
By Jim Melcher on July 20, 2003
"In Augusta, the trail now also extends to the edge of downtown at the MSHA parking lot. This entrance to the trail is much flatter than the entrance at Capitol Park, which goes downhill steeply and curves. The trail is a great addition to the area and my wife and I both enjoy it. "
Browse Trails by Activity: