The Friends of the Kennebec River Rail trail are excited about the other trails in our region. We are all developing a huge network of trail systems throughout the state of Maine. And there are dreams afoot to eventually have trails connect the entire eastern seaboard. Most immediately we are working to finish our trail. The ends in both Gardiner and Augusta will be finished to the respective waterfront parks. And new parking and routes will be desiganted in the Farmingdale and Hallowell stretches of the KRRT.
Allen-Whitney Memorial Forest and Gannett Woods
The Allen-Whitney Memorial Forest and Gannett Woods are two properties of conserved lands in Manchester. The 700-acre forest is owned and managed by the New England Forestry Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and management of New England’s working forests. The Kennebec Land Trust owns and manages the Gannett Woods, a 120-acre preserve that includes uninhabited Shed Pond. Trails lace through both tracts of land.
For further information:
New England Forestry Foundation
PO Box 1346
Littleton, MA 01460
Telephone: (978) 952-6856
www.newenglandforestry.org
Augusta Nature Education Center
The Augusta Nature Club manages the Augusta Nature Education Center, a 175-acre tract of land bounded on the west by Hodgkins Middle School and on the east by the new Cony High School. The nearly 5 miles of intersecting trails pass through old granite quarries, small waterfalls, beaver ponds, and Whitney Brook.
This urban preserve is open year round during the daylight hours. Walking, running, biking, and cross-country skiing are permitted. Dogs must be on a leash. Fires and motorized vehicles are prohibited.
For further information:
Augusta Nature Club
PO Box 5335
Augusta, Maine 04332
www.augustanaturecenter.com
The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance
This land trust does trail maintenance on over 18 miles of trails in the Kennebec Highlands, which is a 5,600-acre preserve managed by the Maine Department of Conservation located in the towns of Vienna, Rome, New ~harona, nd Mount Vernon. The preserve is outside of the area shown on this map. It is 15 miles from Augusta in the Belgrade Lakes region and is noted because of its size and because it encompasses the two highest hills in Kennebec County. A map showing the trails of this area may be obtained from the Belgrade Regional conservation Alliance.
PO Box 250
Belgrade, Maine 04918
Telephone: (207) 495-6039
www.belgradelakes.org
Bicycle Coalition of Maine
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is a member-based nonprofit organization, which advocates bicycling safety, education, and access in Maine.
PO Box 5275
Augusta, Maine 04332
Telephone: (207) 623-4511
www.bikemaine.org
East Coast Greenway Alliance
The East Coast Greenway is a proposed path from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Florida, which will link 25 major cities along the eastern seaboard. The Kennebec River Rail Trail is part of this greenway. Over 20% of the greenway has now been established.
www.greenway.org
Explore Maine by Bike
Explore Maine by Bike is a web site by the Maine Department of Transportation providing information on bicycling in Maine.
www.exploremaine.org
Friends of the Old Narrow Gauge Trail
The Old Narrow Gauge Volunteer Trail runs 1.25 miles along the Kennebec Central Railroad in Randolph and is maintained by the Friends of the Old Narrow Gauge Trail.
www.oldnarrowgaugetrail.org
Healthy Maine Walks
Healthy Maine Walks is a statewide registry of walking routes in Maine.
www.healthymainewalks.org
Jamie’s Pond Wildlife Management Area
The Jamie’s Pond Wildlife Management Area is 840 acres in size and lies in three communities: Manchester, Hallowell, and Farmingdale. The 107-acre pond is known both as Jamie’s Pond and Jimmie’s Pond. The pond was formerly the water supply for Hallowell and, as a result, most of its shoreline is undeveloped. The property is managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.
There are 6.5 miles of intersecting trails as well as a ha boat launch. The area can be accessed by the Jamie’s Road in Hallowell and the Meadows Hill and Collins Manchester. Overnight camping, fires, and swimming permitted.
For further information: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
www.maine.gov
The Kennebec Land Trust
www.tklt.org
Kennebec Land Trust
134 Main Street, Suite 28
PO Box 261
Winthrop, Maine 04364
Telephone: (207) 377-2848
www.tklt.org
Kennebec Messalonskee Trails
The Kennebec Messalonskee Trails is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support trails along the Kennebec River and other waterways in the greater Waterville area. These trails are outside the scope of this map and are located about 20 miles north of Augusta.
Telephone: (207) 873-6443
www.kmtrails.org
Viles Arboretum
The Viles Arboretum is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to promote the knowledge and the appreciation of Maine’s trees and other flora for people of all ages by offering educational, recreational, and inspirational opportunities.” The arboretum has 6 miles of trails forming an extensive network through 150 acres of fields and meadows and 75 acres of forest. In winter, the arboretum offers some of the finest groomed cross-country skiing trails in the area as well as snowshoeing trails. The trails are open year round from dawn to dusk. The arboretum is located in close proximity to the Augusta Nature Education Center and the Augusta Greenway Trail, which is on the east side of the Kennebec and extends from Fort Western to the Federal Arsenal. It is a great place to have a picnic. Bicycles are allowed on the trails but must yield to others. Horseback riding is permitted but not on bridges or boardwalks. The arboretum does not permit the use of motorized vehicles (other than motorized wheelchairs). Dogs are permitted if they are on a leash and kept out of the plant collections.
For further information:
Viles Arboretum
153 Hospital Street Augusta, Maine 04330
Telephone: 207-626-7989
info@vilesarboretum.org
www.vilesarboretum.org
Pownalborough Court House
Pownalborough is a pre- Revolutionary War courthouse built in 1761. The grounds have a half-mile nature trail with old growth pines and beautiful vistas of the Kennebec. The courthouse is in Dresden on Route 128.
www.lincolncountyhistory.org
Friends of Swan Island, Inc.
The Friends of Swan Island is a nonprofit volunteer group dedicated to helping preserve Swan Island’s historic, homestead treasures.
PO. Box 246
Richmond, Maine 04357
Telephone: (207) 737-2812
Swan Island on the Kennebec River/ Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area
Swan Island is a 1,775-acre wildlife management area in the Kennebec River situated between Richmond and Dresden and managed by the Maine Department of Island, Fisheries & Wildlife. Sitting at the head of Merrymeeting Bay, Swan Island is one of the crown jewels of the Kennebec River Valley and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other than the tour truck, there are no motorized vehicles on this island. Inland Fisheries &Wildlife offers a guided tour of the island but visitors are encouraged to hike along the gravel road and side trails. You will be rewarded with picturesque views, deer, and an occasional eagle sighting. This is a perfect place to 2 bring a picnic, and day users may use the fire pits and grills in the campground.
Reservations are required for both day use and overnight camping in the Appalachian-style huts. The island campground offers full-service bathroom facilities.
Telephone: (207) 547-1322
Email: swan.island@maine.gov
A seasonal ferry running from May 1st through Labor Day provides access to the island from Richmond. The ferry is located near Richmond’s downtown on Route 24 just north of the intersection of Routes 24 and 197. No pets are allowed on the island.
For further information:
www.maine.gov
University of Maine in Augusta Fitness Field
Do not let the name of this trail deceive you. The Fitness Trail is actually a set of loop trails totaling 2 miles in length in a beautiful forest setting adjacent to the University of Maine and the Augusta Civic Center, and is another example of one of Augusta’s hidden gems. Parking is available adjacent to the University of Maine tennis courts and the Maine Municipal Association building on Community Drive. There are fitness stations along the trail.
www.uma.edu
Reading Materials:
The Kennebec River: A Guide for Paddlers and Friends (2001)
Kennebec Valley Trails, Inc.
PO. Box 144
Skowhegan, Maine 04976
Other Useful Links
- Kennebec Land Trust: www.tklt.org
- Bicycle Coalition of Maine: www.bikemaine.org
- Healthy Maine Walks: www.healthymainewalks.org
- Explore Maine by Bike: www.exploremaine.org/bike
- Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance: www.belgradelakes.org
- Augusta Nature Education Center: www.augustanaturecenter.com
- Swan Island: www.maine.gov/ifw/education/swanisland
- Merrymeeting Trail Initiative: www.bowdoinham.com/mmt_work-plan
- Old Narrow Gauge Trail – Randolph: www.oldnarrowgaugetrail.org
- Women’s History Trail – Augusta: http://dll.umaine.edu/historytrail/index.html
- Portland Trails: www.trails.org
- Rail to Trails Conservancy: www.railstotrails.org
- The East Coast Greenway: www.greenway.org
- Kennebec Messalonski Trails: www.kmtrails.org
- Augusta Trails: Click Here
- KVCC: www.kvcc.me.edu
- Augusta, Maine: www.augustamaine.gov
- Hallowell, Maine: hallowell.govoffice.com
- Farmingdale, Maine: www.farmingdalemaine.com
- Gardiner, Maine: www.gardinermaine.com