Maine

The Scarborough bridge on Maine's Eastern Trail | Courtesy Eastern Trail Alliance

Maine’s Eastern Trail

Posted 03/15/22 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Maine, Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Bob Hamblen takes to the Eastern Trail on his bike, riding through various sections of the route that traverses 24 miles of southern Maine’s spectacular coastline. While he sees it as “a win” wherever he ends up on the trail, the long-time Saco resident has his favorites.

Maine's Down East Sunrise Trail | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Top 10 Trails in Maine

Posted 08/23/21 by Derek M. Strout in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Maine, Top10, Trail Destinations

Lighthouses, lobsters, L.L. Bean ... Maine may be renowned for these things, but we’re confident that its miles of multiuse trails belong on this list as well. Teams of visionary and devoted trail advocates across the state have created plenty of these amazing experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Here are just 10 of our favorite trails in Maine.

Encinitas Coastal Rail Trail | Photo courtesy San Diego Association of Governments

Greet the New Rail-Trails of 2019

Posted 12/16/19 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, California, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Walkability and Bikeability, Wisconsin

Today, more than 24,000 miles of completed rail-trails traverse the nation, often serving as backbones for regional trail systems that are transforming the places where we live, work and play. Here are just a few of the exciting new rail-trails added to the ranks in 2019.

Schuylkill River Trail through Valley Forge National Historical Park | Photo courtesy Montgomery County Planning Commission | CC BY SA 2.0

Pathways for Patriots: 10 Rail-Trails with American Revolution Sites

Posted 07/03/19 by Maggie McAden, Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Connecticut, History Happened Here, IHTC, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, TrailNation

The Fourth of July is a holiday celebrated with barbecues, fireworks and family. It is also a time to reflect on our country’s history, and what better way to do that than by exploring a historical rail-trail? From battle sites to hidden histories, rail-trails are an accessible way to celebrate our nation’s birthday and uncover pivotal moments in our past. Here are 10 Rail-Trails with American Revolution Sites.

Missisquoi Valley Rail-Trail in Vermont | Photo by Dennis Coello

A View From … New England in Autumn

Posted 10/13/17 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Trail Destinations, Vermont

In the northernmost reaches of New England, nature’s autumn spectacle begins to whisper through the trees of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire in late September before peaking mid-October. Fall comes later to the states farther south—Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island—generally arriving in mid-October and lasting to early November. The region has an abundance of extraordinary rail-trails on which to experience this temporal artwork at a stroll or gentle roll. We’ve listed some of our favorites here.

Mass Central Rail Trail | Photo by Ryan Cree

Seven Stunning Sights From RTC’s New England Mapping Trips

Posted 08/17/17 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Biking, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Trail Destinations, Vermont, Walkability and Bikeability

Proud mountains, roaring seashores, tranquil lakes, forests with forget-me-not foliage, scrumptious chowders and wicked-awesome trails—yes, we’re talking about New England. These are just a handful of the attractions the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) team was lucky enough to experience while out mapping trails for our latest round of guidebooks covering Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. A time-honored and beloved tradition at RTC, our annual mapping trips allow us to experience trails throughout the country—up close and in person.

Sally Jacobs, 'Force of Nature'

Posted 11/15/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action | Tagged with Champions, Maine

People like Sally Jacobs are rare and treasured. Renowned in her adopted state of Maine as a committed rail-trail advocate and builder, among other roles, Sally's more than three decades in the service of conservation and outdoor recreation forged a tremendous legacy that includes the establishment of the Downeast Sunrise Trail.

Photo © Mountain Division Alliance

Rail-Trail Extension Brings Activity, Attention to Fryeburg, Maine

Posted 09/22/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Maine, Tourism and Economic Stimulus

The people of Fryeburg in southwestern Maine are celebrating. Their New Hampshire neighbors in Conway are envious. What's the source of all the fuss? A new section of the Mountain Division Trail is finished and set to open next week, and already the local residents and business people are anticipating it will build on the successes of the first phase.