Explore the best rated trails in Orono, ME. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Four Seasons Adventure Trail and University of Maine Bicycle Path. With more than 10 trails covering 141 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Ellsworth Trail runs just over 1 mile between North Street (SR 179) north of town to Birch Avenue in Ellworth. Alongside the path runs an active line on which Downeast Scenic Railways offers...
The Rotary Centennial Trail crosses two towns—Benton and Winslow—in central Maine, about 50 miles southwest of Bangor. The scenic wooded trail follows a former rail bed along the eastern shore of the...
The Penobscot River Walkway runs for just 0.5 mile through Bangor's scenic Waterfront Park between Union Street and the intersection of Railroad and Front streets. The trail hugs the riverbank and...
The University of Maine Bicycle Path is a valuable link for non-motorized transportation, connecting campus with Old Town. Much of the trail passes through a scenic wooded corridor, following the path...
The University of Maine Bicycle Path is a valuable link for non-motorized transportation, connecting campus with Old Town. Much of the trail passes through a scenic wooded corridor, following the path...
The 87-mile Down East Sunrise Trail passes through the woods, marshlands, and coastal villages of southern Maine. It takes its name from its location in Down East Maine, dubbed by early mariners for...
The Penobscot River Walkway runs for just 0.5 mile through Bangor's scenic Waterfront Park between Union Street and the intersection of Railroad and Front streets. The trail hugs the riverbank and...
The Stillwater River Trail hugs the west bank of its namesake river through Orono, between Bennoch Road in the north (near the cemetery) and Main Street at the southern end. The trail passes through a...
Visitors to the Belfast Rail Trail on the Passagassawaukeag (pronounced pas-uh-gas-uh-WAH-keg and conveniently shortened to Passy Rail Trail by locals) can see vintage trains at one end of the trail...
The Four Seasons Adventure Trail skirts several scenic lakes as it passes through forests and farmland, linking Newport, Corinna, Dexter, and Dover-Foxcroft in central Maine. The trail experiences...
The Ellsworth Trail runs just over 1 mile between North Street (SR 179) north of town to Birch Avenue in Ellworth. Alongside the path runs an active line on which Downeast Scenic Railways offers...
The Rotary Centennial Trail crosses two towns—Benton and Winslow—in central Maine, about 50 miles southwest of Bangor. The scenic wooded trail follows a former rail bed along the eastern shore of the...
Old Pond Railway Trail begins in the town of Hancock, about 25 miles north of Maine’s famed Acadia National Park. The beautiful hiking trail winds through forests and wetlands for nearly three miles....
The Lagrange to Medford Trail fills the bill if you’re looking for a remote trail experience. The gravel rail-trail runs for 11.4 miles from Lagrange to Medford Center, where it crosses a 100-year-old...
Visitors to the Belfast Rail Trail on the Passagassawaukeag (pronounced pas-uh-gas-uh-WAH-keg and conveniently shortened to Passy Rail Trail by locals) can see vintage trains at one end of the trail...
The University of Maine Bicycle Path is a valuable link for non-motorized transportation, connecting campus with Old Town. Much of the trail passes through a scenic wooded corridor, following the path...
Old Pond Railway Trail begins in the town of Hancock, about 25 miles north of Maine’s famed Acadia National Park. The beautiful hiking trail winds through forests and wetlands for nearly three miles....
The Ellsworth Trail runs just over 1 mile between North Street (SR 179) north of town to Birch Avenue in Ellworth. Alongside the path runs an active line on which Downeast Scenic Railways offers...
The 87-mile Down East Sunrise Trail passes through the woods, marshlands, and coastal villages of southern Maine. It takes its name from its location in Down East Maine, dubbed by early mariners for...
The Penobscot River Walkway runs for just 0.5 mile through Bangor's scenic Waterfront Park between Union Street and the intersection of Railroad and Front streets. The trail hugs the riverbank and...
The Rotary Centennial Trail crosses two towns—Benton and Winslow—in central Maine, about 50 miles southwest of Bangor. The scenic wooded trail follows a former rail bed along the eastern shore of the...
The Stillwater River Trail hugs the west bank of its namesake river through Orono, between Bennoch Road in the north (near the cemetery) and Main Street at the southern end. The trail passes through a...
The Four Seasons Adventure Trail skirts several scenic lakes as it passes through forests and farmland, linking Newport, Corinna, Dexter, and Dover-Foxcroft in central Maine. The trail experiences...
The Lagrange to Medford Trail fills the bill if you’re looking for a remote trail experience. The gravel rail-trail runs for 11.4 miles from Lagrange to Medford Center, where it crosses a 100-year-old...
Last weekend we did this so-called shared trail (bikes, hikers, horses, 4 wheelers). Unless you like to inhale the whiff of gasoline from ATVs and the din of their engines, avoid this trail like the plague. We had the bad idea of ¿¿doing this trail back and forth...I believe we must have passed at least 60 ATVs. If some drivers showed civility, by slowing down when they passed us, the majority demonstrated that the words civility and courtesy are not even part of their vocabulary. They make it clear to you that you are not welcome on THEIR path. The majority pass by you without slowing down and I do not recommend this trail for families with young children for obvious reasons. In addition, it is a very rocky trail that requires at least a hybrid bike with good tires, or even a mountain bike.
I'm trying to find a positive to this trail but even trying to be objective I can't find one. There are no infractrustures (no picnic tables, no toilets, nothing). I imagine my review is going to be deleted as it probably won't appeal to everyone but until then hopefully it helps other people not to waste their time on this tasteless trail.
Twas a lovely way to start the day, walking above & beside the river with the dogs. Very accessible hard packed stone dust path & fairly smooth bridges. Highly recommend for those visiting Belfast.
Great hiking trail, love the bridge crossing and bay views. If you’re looking for a good running trail - you may want to skip this one. You can run it - no real elevation gains and pretty straight forward there and back, but the railroad ties kick your butt. In some places they aren’t bad at all, but there are enough spots where there are handfuls of them packed close and tight making it very difficult. You can totally run it, but be ready for a the possibility of a potential fall or a rolled ankle.
Heard about this trail from a friend. Wanted to surprise my husband who loves anything to do with trains/railroads. Was very hard to find the Hancock parking lot at first & we passed it & drove further down the road. Across from the Hancock City Hall is a small lot that holds 5 -6 cars. The sign marking the lot is parallel to the road so hard to see. Saw several locals walking down the street to enter, some with their dogs. Trust the locals - they know where all the good places are. Young family was having a photo shoot with a pro photographer on part of the trail in soft afternoon light with fall foliage as backdrop. One can see tracks & concrete that was once a platform. Trail has lots of rail ties, so watch your step. Unlike another reviewer, I am glad they were left there & bikes not allowed as it keeps the trail quiet. Since we started our hike after 3pm after being at Schoodic earlier in the day, we only got as far as the trestle bridge. After another family left so we had the place to ourselves & enjoyed the peace & natural beauty. Plan to hike the whole trail from end to end next time. Hike this trail - beautiful nature & peaceful. One con: No restrooms.
The Belfast Rail Trail is well maintained, clean and provides nice views of the water.
This is a great trail if you’re looking to take out your atv or utv. At 87 miles from start to finish I was able to complete the trail in about 7 hours with frequent stops/breaks and average 40PMH. The trail is pretty smooth with little rough terrain/hills. We did not explore any trails off the main trail but would’ve liked to find a good place to eat lunch. Some parts are good for legit mountain bikes, short walks or equestrian use. Definitely a good trail if you just wanna get out and ride.
Great ATV riding trail lots of scenery, nice small streams fish and mountains admire.
Saw two horses on the way to Ellsworth people riding were very nice we let them pass as we did not want to upset the horses. Great experence all in all. No complaints here! Life is too short get out and enjoy and avoid the miserable people! Thank you Maine for providing this great trail !!!!
This trail was soft and sandy, with many puddles (it rained the night before) and the mosquitoes were vicious as we were unloading our bikes. We rode only a short way before realizing it was too sandy to ride comfortably, and we decided to leave - a big disappointment! The trail seems to be dominated by ATVs - we saw four or five in the short time we were there. All in all, this doesn’t seem to be a good trail for biking!
I rode the trail Newport to Dover-Foxcroft and back on my Trek 29er. Trail conditions were rough in a few spots but all in all an enjoyable ride. Luckily there was light rain the night before or it would have been dusty especially when the few ATVs I met passed me. Everyone was friendly and considerate. The 29er was a good choice since the wider tires and relaxed frame worked well on the Sandy and bumpy sections. With a few short stops along the way and a light snack at the turn around point, it took me a little over 5 hours.
It said trail head was on Beals Ave, but it is actually on HIgh Street behind the Comfort Inn. Nice trail - pretty rocky in places other places very smooth. Encountered a bear on the trail - fortunately we saw him about 50 yds ahead and waited until he moved off. Pretty remote for the first 12 miles out of Ellsworth - very beautiful countryside.
We headed out on a early June Monday morning from East Machias north/east for an hour. Only a few ATVs passed us. Some nice spring flowers along the trail with the rhodoras in full bloom and a few clumps of lady’s slippers - both white and pink. At East Machias there we’re nesting Osprey which was another plus. Overall a nice ride!
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