Biking in Maine

Maine offers diverse cycling from coastal road rides to rugged mountain bike trails. Whether you’re pedaling past lighthouses, grinding up mountain singletracks, or exploring converted rail trails, the state provides terrain and scenery for every type of rider.

Road Cycling

Coastal Routes

Route 1 from Kittery to Calais is the ultimate Maine road ride, though few attempt the full 300+ miles in one go. The southern coast from York to Portland features rolling terrain, frequent towns, and ocean views. Traffic is heavy in summer, especially near beaches.

The Midcoast from Brunswick to Camden is hillier and more scenic. Expect serious climbing around Camden and Rockland. Quieter coastal roads parallel Route 1, offering better riding with navigation challenges.

Down East from Bucksport to Lubec provides the most remote coastal cycling. Traffic thins considerably. Services become sparse. The Bold Coast near Cutler rewards the effort with dramatic cliffs and minimal development.

Plan for wind. Coastal routes face persistent southwesterlies in summer. Headwinds can cut your speed in half. Early morning often provides calmer conditions.

Western Maine

The mountains bring serious elevation. Routes around Bethel, Rangeley, and Farmington feature long climbs and fast descents. Traffic is generally light on back roads.

Popular loops include the Rangeley Lake circuit, the Swift River Valley, and roads around Evans Notch. Grades can hit 10-12% on major climbs. Gear accordingly.

This region shines in fall when foliage explodes and traffic drops. Summer weekends bring tourists but midweek stays quiet.

Road Conditions

Maine roads vary widely. Major routes have decent pavement and shoulders. Back roads can be rough with frost heaves, potholes, and gravel patches. Spring is worst for road conditions.

Most roads have minimal or no shoulder. Ride defensively. Logging trucks and RVs share these roads, not always patiently.

Towns generally have good pavement but watch for storm grates, potholes at intersections, and sudden stops for tourist traffic.

Mountain Biking

Carrabassett Valley

The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center maintains 50+ miles of trails ranging from flow trails to technical rock gardens. The trail network is accessed from several parking areas with options for all skill levels.

Beginner trails offer gentle climbs and smooth surfaces. Intermediate routes add rocks, roots, and steeper pitches. Advanced trails bring exposure, drops, and chunky Maine granite.

Summer lift service at Sugarloaf Mountain provides gravity runs down purpose-built descents. The bike park caters to riders seeking pure downhill with berms, jumps, and technical features.

Trail passes are required. The Outdoor Center offers rentals, maps, and trail conditions updates.

Sunday River

The Sunday River bike park operates summers with lift access to downhill trails. Options range from green flow trails to double-black technical descents.

Cross-country trails spread across the mountain and valley, linking to the Mahoosuc Land Trust trail system. This provides loop options from easy cruisers to challenging climbs.

Rentals, lessons, and guided rides available. The resort maintains trails well with regular grooming and repairs.

Kingdom Trails

Just across the Vermont border near Lyndonville, Kingdom Trails offers over 100 miles of singletrack. Many Maine riders make the trip to experience this world-class network.

Trails wind through forests, farmland, and along ridges with mountain views. The system is meticulously maintained with consistent signage and varied difficulty options.

A day pass costs $20 for non-members. Kingdom Trails Association manages this private land with permission from multiple landowners.

Local Trail Systems

Camden Snow Bowl has summer mountain biking on ski trails and dedicated singletrack. Expect steep, technical terrain with rock ledges and roots.

Bradbury Mountain State Park near Freeport offers mellow cross-country riding on multi-use trails. Good for beginners and families.

The Bethel area has extensive backcountry trails through the Mahoosuc Land Trust properties. Routes connect to Sunday River and offer remote riding with minimal crowds.

Gravel and Bikepacking

Down East Sunrise Trail

This 87-mile rail trail runs from Washington Junction to Ayers Junction. The packed gravel surface allows loaded touring bikes or gravel grinders.

Services are limited. Small towns provide basics but plan for long stretches between resupply points. The trail is flat, making mileage easy to accumulate.

Remote sections pass through wetlands and forests with wildlife viewing opportunities. Fall foliage is spectacular. Summer brings bugs, especially mosquitoes.

Mountain Division Trail

Running from Standish to Fryeburg, this rail trail offers 25 miles of gravel riding through forests and past lakes. The surface varies from smooth to sandy with some rough sections.

Good access points allow out-and-back rides of any length. The trail is less remote than Down East, with nearby towns for services.

Plans exist to extend and improve the trail system, eventually connecting to New Hampshire.

Logging Roads

Northern Maine’s logging road network provides endless gravel adventure. Roads are public during non-working hours, though commercial log trucks have right of way.

Navigation requires maps and GPS. Roads aren’t marked, and conditions change. Sandy sections, mud holes, and rough surfaces challenge heavily loaded bikes.

This is expedition-level riding. Carry tools, spare parts, and extra food. Cell service is non-existent. The solitude and wilderness experience are unmatched.

Bikepacking Routes

Adventurous riders create custom bikepacking routes combining rail trails, logging roads, and quiet pavement. The Bold Coast area offers a popular 3-4 day loop with camping.

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail follows waterways but parallel logging roads allow bikepacking the route. This requires serious navigation skills and self-sufficiency.

Plan routes carefully. Mark water sources, camping options, and resupply points. Test gear on shorter trips before committing to multi-day wilderness routes.

Bike-Friendly Towns

Portland

Maine’s largest city has dedicated bike lanes, the Eastern Promenade trail, and a growing bike culture. The Back Cove loop is a popular 3.5-mile paved trail around the tidal cove.

Bike shops are plentiful. Rentals available from multiple vendors. Many restaurants and breweries welcome cyclists.

The Portland-area trail systems connect through the city. Mountain biking at Bradbury Mountain is 30 minutes away. Road loops into Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth provide variety.

Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park makes this a cycling destination. The 45-mile Park Loop Road offers stunning coastal views with significant climbing. Early morning before tour buses arrive is best.

The 45 miles of carriage roads are car-free crushed stone paths perfect for casual riding. Electric bikes are allowed, making the hills manageable.

Bar Harbor rents every type of bike. Shops offer maps, guided tours, and repairs. The town is compact and bike-friendly.

Belfast

This small Midcoast city embraces cycling with rails-to-trails connections, bike lanes downtown, and an active cycling community.

Belfast serves as a base for exploring the Midcoast. Quiet roads lead to Camden, Searsport, and Liberty. Hills are manageable, scenery excellent.

Several bike shops provide sales, service, and local knowledge. The town hosts group rides and cycling events.

Bethel

Western Maine’s outdoor hub caters to mountain bikers and road cyclists. The town center is walkable and bike-friendly.

Access to Sunday River trails, Mahoosuc system, and endless gravel roads makes Bethel ideal for a cycling-focused vacation. Road routes into Evans Notch and around the surrounding mountains challenge strong riders.

Bike shops offer rentals, repairs, and trail information. Summer is quieter than winter ski season, but services remain available.

Rentals, Shops, and Tours

Bike shops exist in most tourist areas and larger towns. Portland, Bar Harbor, Bethel, and Rockland have multiple options. Many shops rent road bikes, mountain bikes, and increasingly, e-bikes.

Rental rates run $30-60 per day depending on bike type. Multi-day rentals offer discounts. Book ahead in peak summer and fall foliage season.

Guided tours operate in popular areas. Acadia tour companies lead carriage road rides and Park Loop trips. Mountain bike guides take riders to lesser-known trails.

Mobile bike repair services exist in some areas, though most riders rely on shops. Carry basic tools, spare tubes, and know how to fix a flat if riding remote areas.

Safety and Sharing Roads

Maine law requires cyclists to follow the same rules as vehicles. Ride on the right, obey traffic signals, and signal turns.

Drivers are generally courteous but not always expecting cyclists. Be visible with bright clothing and lights. Even daytime running lights improve safety.

Logging trucks are common on rural roads. These heavy vehicles can’t stop quickly. When you hear one approaching from behind, pull over and let it pass safely.

Moose are a serious hazard, especially dawn and dusk. A collision with a moose can be fatal. Stay alert on remote roads, particularly in spring and fall.

Tourist traffic in summer means distracted drivers. Coast roads see particularly heavy traffic on sunny weekends. Patience and defensive riding prevent problems.

Group rides follow single-file rules on busy roads. Call out hazards, signal stops, and communicate clearly. Most drivers appreciate organized groups more than scattered riders.

Seasonal Considerations

Peak cycling season runs May through October. July and August bring warm temperatures but also crowds, especially on coast.

Spring arrives late. April and early May still see freezing nights and snow in mountains. Blackflies peak in late May and June, making woods riding miserable.

Fall offers ideal conditions. September and early October provide comfortable temperatures, minimal bugs, and spectacular foliage. This is the best time for road cycling in Maine.

Late fall and winter see a few hardy riders continue. Studded tires help on ice. Fat bikes have grown popular for winter trail riding where conditions allow.

Getting Started

New cyclists should start with rail trails or carriage roads. These offer gentle terrain, no vehicle traffic, and easy navigation. The Down East Sunrise Trail, Mountain Division Trail, and Acadia carriage roads are perfect.

Road riders can find quiet back roads away from Route 1. Maine’s network of secondary roads provides endless exploration. Start with shorter distances and add mileage gradually.

Mountain bikers should visit trail systems with multiple difficulty options. Bradbury Mountain and the Sugarloaf network allow progression from beginner to advanced trails.

Join group rides to meet other cyclists and learn routes. Bike shops often organize weekly rides. Online forums and clubs connect riders planning trips.

Maine cycling rewards preparation and patience. Weather changes quickly. Distances between services can be long. Mechanical issues require self-reliance on remote routes.

But the payoff is worth it: pristine forests, dramatic coastlines, mountain vistas, and the satisfaction of exploring Maine under your own power. Pack your bike and discover what Maine looks like at 15 miles per hour.