Biking Maine's Lagrange Rail- Trail

Also known as the Lagrange Right of Way Trail, it runs 15 miles from South Lagrange north to Medford. We parked in South Lagrange. When driving north on Route 16 from I-95 there is a small sign showing the left turn to trailhead parking -- down a hill, past a couple homes, and into a grass parking area. If you miss the sign, you’ll cross a bridge over the trail and realize your error and can turn around. I had hoped there would be parking north of there in Lagrange where the trail crossed Route 6, but there was none.

The trail is tree shrouded and quite lovely...




...but breaks in the foliage allow you to occasionally glimpse homes, some fields, a few wetland bogs, and some small lakes...




The trail is dirt and is multi-use. It is the roughest rail-trail of the many dozens I’ve biked across the country, with constant rock outcroppings poking through the dirt, some tree roots, constant washout holes, some mud and standing water despite the last rain being 8 days ago, and multitudes of rocks and large gravel strewn on the trail. This is a multi-use trail for bikes, hikers, horses, and motor vehicles (ATVs and snowmobiles) and no doubt it is the last two which are the predominant users of the trail and no doubt account for its rough condition. In fact, 11 ATVs passed us during our two hours on the trail, all of whose riders were friendly -- they slowed for us, smiled, waved, and greeted us.


The last few miles as you near Medford to cross the Piscataquis River are very rough and even a light rain can fill the gullies, making it difficult to navigate. Cyclists must use a mountain bike. Less than a mile from the bridge, the trail threads through quaint Medford Center. To access the trail from Medford, cross the trestle and drive 0.3 mile along an unsigned dirt road till it bends to the left. Park along the shoulder.

==============================

• 30+ Chicagoland Bike Trails I've biked
  
• 80+ US Bike Trails I've biked