TRAILS
With 800 feet of river frontage, the 5.6 acre Gorge Overlook parcel, part of the River Park project, provides scenic views and access to the river for biking, hiking and picnicking. The River Walk, an all purpose ADA accessible walkway with a Kennebec River Gorge overlook. Outdoor fitness equipment stations and benches have been installed, enhancing the trail. The equipment is designed for any level and has the ability to provide a total body workout. The trail runs from Mt. Pleasant Street (near the walking bridge to town) to the wastewater treatment plant on Joyce Street where it connects with the canoe portage site, the Philbrick Trails, and the River's Edge Bike Park.
Forming three distinct loops, the Heselton Street Nature Trail wends its way through a white pine forest. Typical of many of the woods in the area, the loamy sand soil covered with pine needles provides a cushioned walk up and down the ravines. Bridges and stairs have been added, which help traverse the steeper and wetter sections of the trails. The loop closest to Heselton Street is an ADA-compliant, crushed gravel trail. Parking and access are available both from Heselton Street and from the Memorial Fields at the end of East Maple Street.
Find the trailhead located behind the Goodwill-Hinkley School Bates Museum in the nearby town of Hinkley. This 2.8-mile loop trail is generally considered an easy route and takes an average of an hour to complete. This trail is great for hiking and snowshoeing, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. It is open year-round; dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. There are multiple options as trails cross and weave throughout. Check out the stone and bronze monuments and unique structures on this trail. Note that although it is easy and most of the trails are well marked, it can get confusing. No fees required, however donations are welcome and can be made at the museum.
The trails by the high school can be accessed near the soccer fields or from Bloomfield Elementary School. These trails follow mowed paths in the fields and weave in and out of the woods. The Bog Trail leads to a wetland that is great for wildlife viewing. Deer, rabbits, turkey, and fisher have been seen along these trails. In the winter, the high school physical education department offers snowshoeing on a series of snowshoe trails.
Located off of Father Rasle Road near the Madison/Norridgewock line, this one mile trail is an easy walk along the Kennebec River. The picnic area provides a serene place for outside gatherings and is ADA accessible. Visitors may access the Father Rasle monument from the trail and learn the significance of this site as home of the Wabanaki people and the history of English settlement, and later as a stopping place of Colonel Benedict Arnold's Wilderness March to Quebec. The trail leads down to the river where there is access for canoes and kayaks and a great fly fishing spot offering the best wade-in trout fishing in the area.
On the northside of US Route 2 and behind the Marti Stevens Learning Center, the Marti Stevens Trail drops down to the Kennebec River and follows it upstream providing great views of the river before proceeding back up the hill towards the road. Along the way, watch for the remains of the old ski jump, or search for the Marti Stevens Learning Center geocache. Off-trail hiking is permitted, but use caution: scrap metal leftover from an old dairy farm may be hazardous.
Quiet and pristine, the Philbrick Trail is a remarkably isolated refuge of nature set in the midst of a busy urban center. Philbrick Trail is marked by blue blazes and loops up and around the gorges that slope down to the Kennebec River. Some of these blazes have been weathered away, but the wide trail is easy to follow and is well maintained. The only trailhead to Philbrick Nature Trail is located at the end of Joyce Street next to the Pollution Control Department. When entering the trail, you will see the Debe Park River Trail to your right.
This short, machine-built lollipop loops through the woods in Debe Park along the western shore of the Kennebec River. There are multiple stations with optional boardwalks and bridges to test the skills of more advanced riders. The downhills have both dirt and boardwalk berms to make for fun, swoopy descents.
Somerset Woods Trustees (SWT) Lands with Trails
Formed in 1927, SWT is likely the oldest land trust in Maine. Louise Helen Coburn (1856-1949) of Skowhegan, botanist, historian, poet, author, philanthropist and visionary, initiated the Somerset Woods Trustees and was its first president. The mission of the Somerset Woods Trustees is to protect lands which have significant natural or cultural resources and manage them in a sustainable way for public benefit. Where possible, the Trustees open these lands to the public under suitable regulations and currently have 11 properties where hiking trails are located.
From black cherry and apple trees to hemlock, spruce, and fir, these mostly wooded trails contain a vast bounty of wildlife and plant species. About three-quarters of the way around the loop is a dammed pond, which was constructed to provide additional wetlands habitat. Beyond the dam is a section called the Trail of Thoughts. Spaced at regular intervals are small plaques with quotations related to woodlands, hiking, and the outdoors by a variety of famous poets and philosophers. These plaques offer interesting prompts for contemplation in a serene setting. It is advisable to follow the trail in a counter-clockwise direction as trail markers and blazes are keyed for hiking in that direction; hiking clockwise could result in losing the trail.
Visit Maine Trail Finder for other regional trails at https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails
PARKS & WATER ACCESS
Located on the Kennebec River on Route 2 east toward Canaan and adjacent to the picnic area, this is the only public boat launch on the Kennebec River for several miles. It is leased and operated by the Maine Dept. of Conservation, which has made recent improvements to the facility. This launch is used by recreational boaters, anglers and paddlers, and river rafters during the annual River Fest. The landing has been named “Cleaver Landing” in honor of Chuck and Dot Cleaver, both of whom fished the Kennebec and fought to improve and protect it for future generations.
Coburn Park consists of approximately twelve and one-half acres, located on the bend of the beautiful Kennebec River. Since 1903, citizens each year have improved the park by planting flowers, shrubs and trees. At the present time there are well over 200 species of trees growing. The park is for all to enjoy, all that we ask is that you share with us the responsibility of keeping Coburn Park a very special place. The beautiful plaque painted by Ben Gilbert and attached to the bandstand in Coburn Park is courtesy of the Skowhegan Community Action Group.
Lake George Regional Park (LGRP) is a day-use lakeside park established in 1992, owned by the State of Maine, leased through inter-local agreement by the towns of Skowhegan and Canaan, and managed for public use by Lake George Corporation (LGC). As the only waterfront park within a 30-mile radius, the park’s volunteer board of directors is continually improving the year-round educational programs, trails, amenities and events. Easily accessible off Route 2, each year a combination of roughly 20,000 community members and visitors use the lake and its surrounding 320 acres of land for swimming, fishing, picnicking, boating, hiking, skiing, playing fields, and group use facilities.
Somerset Woods Trustees (SWT) Lands with Trails
Formed in 1927, SWT is likely the oldest land trust in Maine. Louise Helen Coburn (1856-1949) of Skowhegan, botanist, historian, poet, author, philanthropist and visionary, initiated the Somerset Woods Trustees and was its first president. The mission of the Somerset Woods Trustees is to protect lands which have significant natural or cultural resources and manage them in a sustainable way for public benefit. Where possible, the Trustees open those lands to the public under suitable regulations and currently have four different properties where parks and water access are located.
COMING SOON! The Skowhegan River Park
This multi-million dollar project will redevelop the industrial downtown river corridor into an accessible outdoor recreation asset with an expanded trail network and enhanced whitewater. The river park will offer improved river access and free recreation opportunities for all skill and ability levels!