Category: Maine misc

Benton-Winslow Rotary Trail

Cities of Benton and Winslow
Wheelchair AccessibleBenton-Winslow Rotary Trail
This approximately 3 mile  “very level trail, [was] constructed along an old rail bed. It leads to a former rail bridge abutment from which one can look up and down river for a mile each way. Visitors may be see turkeys, deer, ducks, beavers, turtles, and an occasional heron or bald eagle.”    Thank you Cyndi, for bringing this trail to my attention.  She writes that the “trail’s accessibility is weather dependent. The railroad bed is flat and the ‘superhumus’ bark mulch surface is accessible to individuals in wheelchairs when it is not snow covered. During the winter many people snowshoe, ski, walk and run on this trail so the path is well used and snow becomes packed. This surface becomes slippery when it freezes and boot ice grippers are recommended. The trees along the trail provide a nice wind break.”  She cautions that hikers should take care to keep their children and dogs away from the river and adds that “The trail mile markers posts have large print [but] may not be visible to all users with limited vision.”  Here is a  description from Kennebec Messalonskee Trails. Phone 207-872-8696.

Hike New England

Hike New England   This marvelous, searchable website lists hikes in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island with information about difficulty, length, elevation gain, and features. There are maps and photos for many of the hikes.  Using their Hike Finder, I did a search for Easy trails, 5 miles or less and came up with 51 trails!   Be aware that Easy for them, might not be easy enough for you.  Once you come up with a page for a sanctuary, park, forest, whatever, it would be wise to call for trail conditions.

Maine Trail Finder

Maine Trial Finder is a searchable website.  I have keyed in the words “hiking/walking”, “easy” and “nature”.  There are 16 trails listed with links to descriptions and contacts.    Searching with “wheelchair” as a key word brings up 13 locations.

Orono Bog Boardwalk

 

Orono Bog Boardwalk
Wheelchair AccessibleOrono Bog Boardwalk is for “persons wishing to experience the beauty and fascinating plants and animals of a Maine bog.  The 1-mile boardwalk loop trail begins at the forested wetland edge in the Bangor City Forest, and after 800 feet crosses the Orono town line into the portion of the Orono Bog owned by the University of Maine.  Along the way the boardwalk passes through a wide range of changing vegetation and environments on its way to the open, peat moss carpeted center of the Orono Bog.”   Hours vary throughout the season and it is  closed in winter.  Here is the website.   Map

Maine Mixed bicycle and Pedestrian trails

Brief description from MDOT of bicycle and pedestrian trails of mixed governance.  Those in the first section of the brochure are described as “wide, off-road, paved or gravel trails that allow walking, road and hybrid bicycling, handicap accessibility, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.  Motorized activity, such as the use of ATVs, is prohibited.”

Here is a list of links to Maine businesses that claim to be handicapped accessible and which offer a wide variety of outdoor activities ranging from camping, guided fishing and hunting, skiing, boat tours and more.