An outdoor adventure here can take you off the beaten path, make for an afternoon well spent with family and friends, and allow you to see a place in a whole new way. Whether you’re into hiking, biking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, the Kennebec Valley offers hundreds, perhaps thousands of miles of trails to enjoy in any season.
Mountain biking
Our terrain in the Kennebec Valley runs from flat to full-on vertical and everything in-between. Which makes it a great place to hit the trails on a bike. But we know that finding the best spot to ride is harder than it seems. Thankfully, online resources will point you in the right direction. Those planning on biking in the region also need to pedal over to CeMeNEMBA.org for places to ride and for lists of guided ride events coming up.
Hiking
How can you not love hiking? Think about it. Aside from a pair of sturdy shoes, no special gear is required for this outdoor adventure. It’s a sport that you can enjoy in almost any season. And it takes you into nature and away from the hustle of everyday life. Go for a hike and embrace the sense of adventure that comes with discovering a new place. We promise you’ll return a changed person. In fact, one of the world’s most famous and life-changing hikes, the Appalachian Trail, crosses through the region.
Top Hiking Trails
| Kennebec River Rail Trail | Augusta/Gardiner | 6.5 Miles | Easy |
| Viles Arboretum | Augusta | 6 Miles | Easy |
| Rotary Centennial Trail | Benton/Winslow | 3 Miles | Easy |
| Lake George Regional Park | Canaan/Skowhegan | 10 Miles | Easy |
| Vaughan Woods Trail (Hobbit Land) | Hallowell | 1.7 Miles | Moderate |
| Sally Mountain Trail | Jackman | 6.8 Miles | Moderate |
| Weston Woods & Waters Trail | Madison | 1.2 Miles | Easy/Moderate |
| Moxie Falls | Moxie Gore (The Forks Area) | 1 Mile | Easy |
| Messalonskee Stream Trail | Oakland | 2.6 Miles | Moderate |
| French Mountain Trail | Rome | 0.8 Miles | Easy |
| Robbins Hill-Wes Baker Trails | Solon | 1.4 Miles | ADA Accessible |
| Mount Pisgah Conservation Area Trails | Winthrop | 2.5 Miles | Easy |
| Quarry Road Trails | Waterville | 6.5 Miles | Easy/Moderate/Advanced |
Shared-use and Motorized-use trails
Most trails are open to all kinds of non-motorized use. However, another class of trails under development is multi-use or shared-use trails. These trails are available for activities ranging from walking, horseback riding, and Nordic skiing to ATV riding and snowmobiling. If you plan to use these trails, please abide by the posted signage.
For those looking to rev up their outdoor adventure, there is a vast and well-mapped network of trails for motorized use only. ATV and snowmobile clubs throughout the region have great local maps and resources that can often be found online or in stores near the places you wish to ride if you want to go it alone.
Out in the snow
Snowshoeing and fat biking are more than just great wintertime outdoor adventures. They offer a chance to see the beautifully snowy world of birds and animals along our well-groomed trails. One romantic way to enjoy the winter is to take part in a full-moon excursion with a fireside cup of cocoa at trails end. For the more robust, jump on a pair of cross-country skis and try Nordic skiing on the many groomed trails throughout the region. It takes a little practice, but once you are up and going, it offers excellent exercise and is the best way to see a pristine winter world captured under a brilliant white blanket of snow.
Experiences: World Class Fishing | Paddling | Whitewater Rafting | Snowmobiling | Food and Drink | Arts and Culture | Shopping | Wildlife and Bird Watching| Golf | Camping
Other Visitor Resources: Central Maine New England Mountain Bike Association | Lake George Regional Park | Maine Trail Finder | Quarry Road Trails | Kennebec Messalonskee Trails | 7 Lakes Alliance Trail System | ATV Maine
