Summertime in the Belgrades

Trails Abound Around the Region

If you love to go a-wandering, try these tantalizing trails . . . .

Mile of Art

The Mile of Art on the fitness trail at the University of Maine at Augusta

Augusta

  • Pine Tree State Arboretum at 153 Hospital Street (the east side of the Kennebec River) has a variety of nature trails through the fields and woods. Many are marked for plant identification. Call 621-0031 for information.
  • The University of Maine fitness trail near the Civic Center offers hilly landscape through lofty pines. An excellent way to discover it is to visit the "Mile of Art" the first weekend in August.
  • From Old Fort Western on Cony Street, there is a half-mile, maintained gravel path to the Kennebec Arsenal. Guided tours may be available in July and August. Check www.oldfortwestern.org.

Belgrade

  • The Mountain, located 1.5 miles north of Belgrade Lakes Village, offers two hiking loops for the energetic, and a woods road for the less hardy, all with scenic views of Great and North Ponds.

Hinckley

  • The Good Will-Hinckley campus has many excellent trails that date to 1912. Maps and information are available at the L.C. Bates Museum.

Rome

  • French's Mountain on Watson Pond Road, off Route 27, 1.2 miles past Rome Corner (Route 225 intersection) is a 0.7 mile, relatively easy climb that leads to steep ledges with great views.
  • Mt. Philip, 1.1 miles east from the Rome Community Center provides a 755-foot hill, with an easy to follow trail.

Skowhegan

  • A brochure developed by the Skowhegan Conservation Commission and the Skowhegan Parks and Recreation Department details six recreational trails in the immediate vicinity. Copies are available at the Chamber of Commerce or the Community Center (474-6901).

Waterville

  • Colby College has walking trails on the campus at Mayflower Hill that go through a wooded area near the athletic facilities.
  • At Head of Falls there is a walking path/trail from the Two-Cent Bridge to the Railroad Memorial.
  • The Oxbow Nature Trail near the Lutheran Church on Cool Street follows a loop along the Messalonskee Stream.
  • Several Ridge Loops are located on West River Road near the Waterville Junior High School.

Maps of all of the Waterville trails listed above are available on the web site of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce or you may call the Chamber at 873-3315 for more information.

Many trails are also available in the Kennebec Highlands and through the Kennebec Land Trust. For more information, call the Belgrade Conservation Alliance at 495-6039 or visit www.belgradelakes.org or or visit the Kennebec Land Trust at www.tklt.org.