Maine is best explored on two wheels. With dense pine forests, discovering the best parts of Maine are often hidden, but if you have a mountain bike, you can get off the beaten path. From Carrabassett Valley, to Portland and beyond, you’ll find some of the best mountain biking opportunities around in Maine. Here are the 10 best in the state.
Carrabassett Valley Trail System in western Maine is an extensive network of trails near Sugarloaf ski area. With over 100 miles of single track, double track, and fire road trails, novices to experts will have a grand old time here. With over 1,200 feet of elevation, you’ll also get a great view!
As one of the original state parks, Bradbury Mountain State Park has been a great place to explore since 1939. The park has over 18 miles of single track, ski and snowmobile trails for year-round riding. The park is relatively small so you can ride every trail within a few hours. Every September the park hosts the annual 12 Hours of Bradbury Mountain, where mountain bikers come from near and far to see how many laps they can ride in 12 hours.
Blackstrap Hill Preserve in Falmouth is a protected land trust of over 280 acres with an extensive trail network perfect for mountain biking. With eight miles of single track trails, mountain bikers, from beginners to advance, will love getting muddy here. There are also plenty of sweet technical hill climbs and descents.
Nestled in northern Maine, the Nordic Heritage Center has over 20 miles of handmade and machine-made single track trails. Designed by Rich Edwards of IMBA’s Trail Solutions, the trails wind through different forests and vary from smooth and fluid to narrow and technical. There is a trail for everyone. Don’t miss the small terrain park where you can practice your dirt jumps.
Created and maintained by the Central Maine Chapter of NEMBA, Bond Brook Trails in Augusta is a seven-mile network of single track trails.
Pine Ridge is a popular mountain biking trail system in Waterville. Maintained by the Central Maine Chapter of NEMBA, there are over eight miles of single track, double track, and tons of ups and downs. There is even an airplane wreckage in there! How cool is that? Bring a map as it’s easy to get lost.
Mt. Agamenticus is popular with both mountain bikers and road cyclists. Road cyclists will love the paved road to the top of the old ski hill while mountain bikers will love the seven-mile network of well-maintained trails. Most trails are open to hikers and sometime horseback riders so keep your eyes out. Some of the downhills can be technical, but overall, it’s a great place to ride.
A cemetery is probably not the first place you’d think to ride your mountain bike, Evergreen Cemetery is a popular spot. Hidden behind the main area of the cemetery, you’ll find a network of challenging single track trails. The terrain is rocky, steep, and challenging so it’s best for more experienced riders. It’s also connected to trails in the Fore River Sanctuary and Stroudwater.
Designed by Olympias John Morton, the Libby Hill Forest is Gray is a great trail system to ride year-round. The Moose Odyssey is the main trail, but there are plenty of other single track trails to keep you challenged. Trails are well marked and you’ll find plenty of trail maps at the intersections.
Located on 850 acres adjacent to Perch Pond, the Rick Swam Trail System offers the best riding experience in the Greater Bangor area. With 12 miles of single track trails, you’ll fine challenging New England style technical riding. There isn’t much of an elevation gain, but the trails are dry.