Mountain Biking
Though you do not have to be in the mountains to enjoy this sport, Maine’s Mountains offers the perfect setup for bikers looking for the challenge of single-track. Try a ride through the Bigelow Preserve in the village of Stratton or head to a local ski-hill offering wicked-good downhill runs, backcountry bliss, and cross-country trails for everyone.
If you love mountain biking and winter, fat biking might be your new favorite sport. Fat bikes use huge, grippy tires that allow riders to take to trails typically used by snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. March and April are the best months for fat biking; the sport is an excellent ski or snow shoe alternative when trails get too icy or soft.
Serious road bikers looking for a challenge will have plenty of excellent rides to pick from; check out the various routes taking you deep into the mountains at BikeMaine.org. Shorter, less difficult loop rides are an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. Try the Webb Lake Loop—right near Mt. Blue State Park—with beautiful mountain vistas.
Single Track
For those just getting started, Mt. Abram in Greenwood has opened a lift-accessible bike park where riders of virtually all abilities and skill levels can ride the berms through a well-connected, flowing collection of sections. This excellent, family-friendly park offers the right level of challenge for everyone.
Bethel is now a top mountain bike destination, offering easy access to trails for riders of all levels. Throughout the surrounding communities, Inland Woods & Trails is building out this region’s collection of spectacular trails, including the Bethel Village Trails. Riders can find thrills on Bacon Hill with a one-way roller coaster ride of Little Bacon and its longer two-way counterpart, Big Bacon Trail, a few miles south of town.
The region’s best-known ride starts at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center in Carrabassett Valley and hooks up with the broad network of trails in the area, including those maintained by Maine Huts & Trails.
Fat Biking
If you know how to ride a bike, you’ll have no problem mastering Fat Biking. Plus, you don’t need to own a fat bike to ride because there are numerous outfitters and rental shops in the region.
Snow conditions will undoubtedly affect your ride on a fat bike. Well-groomed trail systems are a fat biker’s best friend; the firmer the snow is packed, the better the ride. Avoid riding newly groomed trails. Softer snow is fine, but if it turns into slush, stay in the track. And always make sure your tires are properly inflated.
Top places to fat bike include Rangeley Lakes Trails Center and Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. The Bethel Village Trails also offers several not-to-be-missed loops, such as the winding and twisty Helix or Raw Sugar for some sweet fat biking action. At Shepard’s Farm Preserve in Norway, riders can enjoy six Bernard Langlais sculptures as they ride. Finally, Mt. Abram has opened up some of its quiet side trails to winter biking.
Bike Shops and Services
ultimate Mnt Biking
In the Carrabassett Valley, mountain biking is a way of life and community. Miles of winding forest trails lure all ages to the bike saddle for a dose of nature, and thrills.
Video courtesy of GLP Films
Plan Your Trip
Maine’s Lakes and Mountains offers a variety of resources to help you plan your next visit, including an annual visitor’s guide, stand alone map, and the new Adventure Guide App.
Visitor's Guide
Our Free Visitor's Guide will help inspire your next adventure along our mountain trails, lakes, scenic byways, bustling towns and more.
Map of the Region
Companion to the Visitor Guide, our dual-sided planning map will help you find your way to adventure in every season throughout the region.
Adventure Guide App
The App will point the way to all kinds of adventures, experiences and destinations in Maine’s Lakes and Mountains with GPS location maps and alerts.
Adventure Respectfully
Our lakes, mountains, and forests are worthy of respect. Whether you’re venturing out into our vast public or private lands or parks, here’s what you can do to conserve the area’s natural resources for all.
other resources
Take Care of the Land
Tread lightly and leave no trace. Keep this place as pristine as you found it.
Where ya headed?
Check if you’ll be on public or private land and if there are any restrictions or fees. Always research your destination ahead of time.
Stick to established trails & roads.
Whether hiking, biking, angling, or ATVing, always stay on a designated trail.
DON’T DAMAGE TREES
To protect the forest, only build fires in approved sites, don’t leave them unattended, and extinguish them thoroughly.
Avoid spreading invasive species.
Don’t transport firewood, brush your boots, and wash and dry your boat before heading to your next adventure.
Avoid peak hours
Plan around peak hours midday to avoid crowds. Have a Plan B in case the parking lot is already full.
No litterbugs allowed
If you pack it in, pack it out, including food waste like apple cores. Bring bags for pet waste.
When nature calls
If you have to go, pick a spot at least 100′ off the trail or away from a body of water, and bury your poop 6″ deep.
