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Explore Maine By Bike
All along the Mid-Coast, cyclists can get their fill of grand panoramas along with a wealth of arts and entertainment offerings, historic lighthouses, quaint fishing villages, and museums and galleries.
Highlights: fairs, hiking trails, lake, pond, river views, low traffic, rural, wildlife
Called by some "the middle of nowhere," the town of Unity is really in the middle of everywhere?located centrally to Waterville, Bangor, Belfast, and Augusta! Home to numerous working farms and Unity College, Unity is proud of its rich agricultural heritage. All rides go around Unity Pond (actually a 2,528-acre lake), which is set in the midst of rolling farm country. Much of the lake is surrounded by marshes.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, festivals, galleries, historical landmarks, islands, lighthouses, museums, ocean views, state/national park
In the old days, midcoast Maine was home to sailors, ships? captains, and entrepreneurs who quarried the nearby islands for granite used to build many of this country?s great public buildings. Today, many of the grand old homes have been restored, and the rolling countryside offers glimpses of the Camden Hills and Penobscot Bay. The enjoyable 47-mile loop takes in the best of the region, from the bustling town of Rockland to the tiny, picturesque fishing village of Port Clyde.
Highlights: lake, pond, river views, lighthouses, low traffic, museums, ocean views, rural
Light traffic, quiet country roads, and plenty of scenery make the Belfast area worthy of exploration by bicycle. The 21-mile ride is a fairly flat loop through the agricultural area west of Belfast. The 22-mile ride takes you up over Beech Hill with fantastic views of Penobscot Bay. The 30-mile ride takes you to Fort Point Lighthouse and back through the quaint village of Searsport. The 61-mile loop is for experienced cyclists. This ride originates from the coastal corridor, then meanders through rural Waldo County? an area that can only be described as a bicyclist?s paradise.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, hiking trails, historical landmarks, lighthouses, ocean views, state/national park, urban, wildlife
The Damariscotta area in midcoast Maine was once famous for its shipbuilding, which explains the buildings and exhibits that highlight the natural and social history of this fascinating place. Many villages have a working waterfront as well as moorings for pleasure craft. The views are spectacular; there?s something for everyone. A particularly interesting event is the alewives run in Damariscotta Mills in the spring.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, hiking trails, historical landmarks, lake, pond, river views, mountain views, museums, rural, state/national park, wildlife
The scenery is magnificent. So is the history of the area that stretches back to pre-Revolutionary days when Maine was part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Site of the Popham Colony, Phippsburg was between 1607?1608 the first English settlement attempted in New England.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, fairs, galleries, hiking trails, historical landmarks, islands, lighthouses, mountain views, museums, ocean views, rural, urban
Adventure Cycling?s Atlantic Coast route begins in Bar Harbor, Maine and continues south along the Atlantic coast for 2,670 miles through 12 other states, eventually ending in Key West, Florida. In Maine, the Atlantic Coast route begins in Bar Harbor and makes its way 250 miles down the coast to Kittery before entering New Hampshire.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, fairs, festivals, galleries, hiking trails, historical landmarks, islands, lake, pond, river views, lighthouses, mountain views, museums, ocean views, rural, urban
Adventure Cycling?s Northern Tier route begins in Anacortes, Washington and traverses 13 states before ending in Bar Harbor, Maine. The Maine section of the route takes cyclists on a 224 mile ride from Fryeburg through lakes, mountains, forests, and farms across rural southwest Maine and then follows the coast to historic Bar Harbor.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, fairs, festivals, galleries, hiking trails, historical landmarks, islands, lake, pond, river views, lighthouses, mountain views, museums, ocean views, rural, urban
Two of Adventure Cycling?s bike routes traverse Maine, including the Atlantic Coast Route and the Northern Tier Route.
Highlights: historical landmarks, islands, lighthouses, ocean views, off-road bike trails, state/national park, urban
This pleasant 35-mile ride takes cyclists from Portland?s historic waterfront to nearby suburban towns, including Falmouth, Yarmouth, Freeport and Brunswick, and the quiet countryside along Maine?s coastline. Among other attractions, the coastline offers gorgeous views of Maine?s rocky coast, a bird sanctuary, seaside camps and Wolfe?s Neck Woods State Park.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, galleries, hiking trails, historical landmarks, lake, pond, river views, lighthouses, mountain views, museums, ocean views, off-road bike trails, rural, state/national park, urban
This 125-mile seaside ride takes cyclists from Midcoast to Downeast Maine. The coastal route offers gorgeous views of Maine?s rocky coast and historical sites while providing a glimpse of coastal living.
Highlights: beaches, swimming holes, fairs, festivals, galleries, historical landmarks, lake, pond, river views, lighthouses, mountain views, museums, ocean views, off-road bike trails, rural, urban
The East Coast Greenway route in Maine passes through an amazing diversity of natural and cultural history along its nearly 400-mile route. From coastal communities and historic mill cities to Down East blueberry barrens and the gateway to the Canadian Maritimes, Greenway travelers will experience some of the best Maine has to offer.
Highlights: fairs, festivals, galleries, hiking trails, historical landmarks, lake, pond, river views, museums, rural, urban
This inland 160-mile river route connects Midcoast to Downeast Maine. On this route, cyclists explore three river valleys and the state capital. Be sure to leave plenty of time for exploration because there are numerous museums, historical sites, hiking trails and other interesting sites along the way.