Description
The Sanford Railroad Trail goes by two other names: the Deering Pond Trail or just plain "Railroad Trail." The trail runs for nearly 5 miles between the town of Lebanon and the University of Southern Maine in Sanford. The trail is popular with ATVs in summer and snowmobiles in winter, thereby possibly limiting its appeal for skiers, walkers, and cyclists.
The trail runs along an abandoned corridor of the old Portland to Worcester rail line, which once ran freight in the region. The trail passes through woodlands and past Deering Pond, alleged to be bottomless because once a railroad car sank in its depths, never to be seen again. The pond is a popular fishing spot year-round—just don't fall in or you might disappear!
Parking and Trail Access
Access for the trail is as follows:
Around 544 Main St. in the Springvale section of Sanford;
At Oak Street (SR 11A), 4 blocks north of the Main Street intersection (parking available)
At Hanson Ridge Road, about 0.5 mile north of its intersection with SR 11A (parking available)
Improvements have been made
By
zwalt
in
September, 2012
Took the trail starting at the Oak St. parking area. Headed SW. Found the trail to be clean and graded fairly recently. Previous reviews have indicated that it was nearly impassable for biking but we found it very well graded and clean. A good job of ...
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Poor Condition for Mountain Biking
By
in
November, 2006
"Trails has long stretches of deep and steep ""washboard"" ridges and deep loose sand from the ATV traffic. Trail no longer suitable for mountain biking or cross country skiing."
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Tough biking
By
orvgin
in
April, 2006
"This trail is almost unbikeable. It is very rough, rocky, uneven and frequently has ATV's on it, traveling at high speeds. It is dangerous for bikers and I do not reccomend it."
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