Biking popularity has grown during the past few years. During this time, trails used only by hikers and cross-country skiers experienced a steady increase in bike traffic. Eventually, the demand for new places to ride led to trails being constructed with biking in mind.
As a result, Maine's Northwestern Mountains Region has become a popular destination for the sport, offering opportunities for novice and expert riders alike.
The scenic roads of western Maine are a destination in their own right for cyclists visiting Maine. You can ride your bike for endless miles and enjoy well-paved roads and light traffic. For a challenging and unique cycling experience, many riders bike to the Canadian border crossing- it’s just under 30 miles from Eustis, 40 miles from Carrabassett Valley, and 46 miles from Rangeley.
Maine's Northwestern Mountains Region is home to some of the best mountain biking in the Northeast. Thanks to the efforts of the Town of Carrabassett Valley, the Carrabassett Region Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (CRNEMBA), Maine Huts & Trails, and Sugarloaf there are nearly 100 miles of trails to ride including over twenty miles of newly-constructed purpose-built singletrack for all abilities. These four organizations have come together to form the Carrabassett Valley Trails Committee (CVTC) to expand and maintain our growing trail network.
A professional trail crew and many dedicated volunteers mean the Carrabassett Valley Trails (CVTrails) are being constructed with the latest sustainable techniques and offer everything from smooth and flowy to technically challenging. If you’re looking to build fitness on your trip to CVTrails, our stimulating climbs won’t disappoint.
Centered around the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, our trail system offers plenty of beginner terrain to get you started and provides a progression of trail difficulty to help improve your skills. Unique to our trail system is the opportunity for a backcountry riding experience into the woods of Maine for smells of the forest and views of the High Peaks. Include a stop at one of Maine Huts & Trails beautiful huts for an overnight, a meal or just a snack and water refill.
Visit the CRNEMBA website for more information: https://carrabassettnemba.org/. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram: @crnemba.
Fat tire bikes are a great way to access the scenic terrain of western Maine’s foothills. Fat biking is a popular way to spend a winter day when it’s cold and windy as you are protected in the woods; it’s also best on a hard-packed trail. Maine Huts & Trails allows fat bikes on their entire trail system, and it’s a great way to get to one of their four off-the-grid lodges. The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center also allows fat bikes on their Nordic ski and snowshoe trails but check with the Center for times that they allow the bikes on the trails.
