This really was a very pretty rail trail, with lots of fun stopping places on either end (and in the middle). In Augusta on one end, and Gardiner on the other, and Hallowell in the middle, you have lots of options for food and drink. The trail is super easy and flat. 13 miles round trip.

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.

awsome for atv bike and walking. people are great and welcoming.

I rode this trail on 20/8/2018. It was a beautiful day and the trail was dry. Having read the warnings about the sandy sections of the trail I took my mountain bike with 650B /2.20 tyres, thinking it would be sufficient. For 11 miles of the trail it was, but I struggled on the sandy sections in Jay, with the front end wanting to wash out as it hit the deeper berms. My fat tyre bike would have sailed through these sections, and should I ride the trail again It is what I would use.
On a hot day the shade of the trees along most of the route was very welcome. I rode from Livermore Falls to Farmington, and then back again, stopping for a quick lunch at the small country store in Wilton village: Where it is very pleasant to sit by the river on the provided benches and tables. The trip took me a little over three hours, the trail being better at the Farmington end, and becoming quite rough nearer the Livermore Falls end.
The guidebook says this is primarily an ATV/snowmobile trail and I think that is a correct summation. It is not a bicycle friendly trail, being too rough and the sand making it all but impossible for anything other than wide tyres

We ventured out for our first rail trial ride and found it easy to navigate as it is marked well. For the conditions, well, that goes with the territory and the sport. There’s going to be some good and bad be prepared to handle any terrain and then your all set after all this is called ATVing.

My husband and myself saw this trail listed in the Rails to Trails magazine, and since we were in the area, we thought we would try it. From the very beginning, the trail was very bumpy, with lots of potholes and large rocks. We were hoping, that it would get better, but unfortunately it didn't. With the exception of a few sections where the trail was ok, this trail is clearly very frequented by many ATVs, and the condition of the trail is not suited for cyclists. We are both experienced riders, and made it to Dexter on the trail. From there we returned on busy Rt7 back to Newport. We just could not face the trail again for the return trip. Worst rail trail we've ever been on!!

My husband and I just both got bikes and were at a family outing the day before in Augusta and decided to try out the trail. It was a beautiful trail and a great first ride. We will definitely be back!

Visiting Maine in August we found no place to rent bikes within 80 miles of the Trail. We decided to hike the section from Bingham south as we like free flowing rivers, not lakes behind dams. First issue was the Bingham Goodrich Rd trailhead. It is in the woods and out of sight from US 201 or houses. We chose to park at a more publicly visible location at a Supermarket across from North Country Rivers Outfitters where the Trail crosses a corner of the Outfitters property. We did get permission from the Supermarket and recommend parking here, not the Goodrich Rd. trailhead.

Second, the main issue for us was the Trail. This included the lack of views of this section of the river being obscured by Summer vegetation, the condition of the trail with muddy potholes and lack of a gravel surface and the permitted use of the Trail by ATV’s. The ATV drivers were respectful of hikers and slowed for us, but the vehicles were still noisy and created dust. We terminated the hike early and had ice cream at Here’s the Scoop in Bingham, sitting quietly on the bank of the Kennebec.

Headed south on US 201 to Arnolds Landing where the trail crosses the Kennebec. The trail is on the river bank and would have provided better water views had we hiked this section. Had to leave, as it is a slow drive from I-95. In summary, the Bingham area portion of the Trail would rank as our worst RTT experience from Maine to Virginia. We would not return even for ice cream on the river bank.

a wonderful thing about this trail is that it is handicapped accessible from the outer High Street parking lot in particular. The stone dust surface is impervious to wheels and motor driven and otherwise propelled wheel chairs are very easy to use on the trail.

That said... the trail is a wonder. There are three parking area access points. 1. downtown/intown where it intersects the Armistice Bridge walking bridge and Harbor Walk, 2. Upper Bridge (on High Street) and 3. out at the The Brooks Preservation railroad yard, station, and museum.

It is a remarkable 2.2 miles of natural world.