Constructed on an old railroad bed, this 6’ wide packed dirt trail has very little slope or cross slope. Folks with strollers, rollators and other mobility assistance equipment may find this to be a beautiful shaded experience. A few simple benches are installed a few feet off of the hardened trail. A former rail bridge abutment offers beautiful views for a mile in each direction. Visitors may see turkeys, deer, ducks, beavers, turtles, and an occasional heron or bald eagle.
This trail turns into the Peter Garrett trail downstream of the Kennebec Trail Rd parking lot. There are stairs between the Crummet St parking and the trail. Access from the Kennebec Trail Rd parking lot is smooth, firm and level. The trail is groomed in winter for easy skiing, snowshoeing, or when the snow is all packed down, just walk in boots. In other seasons, it is good for walking and running, and just right for kids learning to bike. The trail is enjoyed by people from all around, but especially by neighbors, who have made no fewer than eleven separate approaches down to the trail from their homes out of sight on top of the ridge.
Trail conditions can change without warning. Trail last assessed: 7/1/2024.
This was the first trail to be constructed by Kennebec Messalonskee Trails. The effort was supported primarily by generous funding from the Waterville Rotary Club, who made it a project to celebrate the centennial of Rotary International in 2005. Additional funding came from the State Recreational Trails Fund, the Town of Benton, Paul Newman, and contributors to Kennebec Messalonskee Trails. The land is owned by Central Maine Power Company.
Visit Kennebec Messalonskee Trails online for more information or contact:
Respect Private Land: Many landowners allow recreation on their land, but it’s up to you to confirm permission before entering.
From Mill Island Park or Fairfield downtown parking, walk or drive across the ME-139 bridge. There are two parking areas for the trail, both marked by a TRAIL sign at the nearest main road.
North Entrance: Park at the parking lot just after the ME-139 bridge on Crummet Street. Walk to the end of Crummet Street and go up the stairs.
South Entrance: Use the entrance and parking for the Peter Garrett Trail, which is accessible in Winslow on Benton Avenue, watching for the TRAIL sign at 752 Benton Ave, next to a Central Maine Power pole yard, then follow the dirt road in and park next to the river.
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