Bike the Solon-Bingham Multi-use Trail in Maine
Cycle Along the Sparkling Kennebec River in New England, USA
Jul 31, 2009
The Solon-Bingham Multi-use Trail was built on an old logging railroad bed that hugs the mighty Kennebec River. It's a wide double track and is about 14 miles round trip. It's open year round, however, the Kennebec River Valley is especially stunning during fall foliage season (early to mid October).
Mountain Biking in Maine is Fun and Challenging
Although the grade is flat (no hills, no turns), the surface is a bit challenging, making it more suitable for mountain biking. There's soft sand for about the first half mile on the Solon end. The packed-gravel surface is pitted with small- and medium-sized rocks for most of its length. Several sections have multiple potholes caused by erosion and overuse by All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) . Expect to share the trail with ATVs (especially on weekends) and the occasional hiker and equestrian.
However, it's still a beautiful area, and the 14-mile trip is certainly good exercise. The trailhead is in Solon, and finding it is, in itself, a bit of a challenge, too.
From US Route 201 in Solon, turn left at the Department of Transportation sign for Williams Boat Launch. The road sign reads Falls Road, and this area is also known as Arnold's Landing. The road is rough, so take care. After a quarter mile, the road forks; take the right fork and park in the large open gravel area.
From the trailhead (there's no kiosk or maps available), the path heading north along the Kennebec is the seven-mile stretch that ends at Route 201 in Bingham. Bikers may wish to continue an easy quarter mile to the small town of Bingham (small convenience stores, a restaurant, and ice cream shop) before heading back.
From the Solon trailhead the path heading south crosses the bridge over the roaring Caratunk Falls (a hydroelectric dam) and continues another seven miles to the small village of Embden. Enthusiastic bikers could bike the whole pathway, a total of 28 miles.
There are tentative plans to connect several existing rail trails and multi-use trails in the Kennebec River Valley to create a long-distance bicycle trail in the spirit of an East Coast Greenway. It's a big project promoted by the Maine Department of Transportation in partnership with the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, local municipalities, and nonprofit organizations.
Historic Kennebec River and US Route 201
This area of the Kennebec River Valley provides a interesting mingling of great scenery and historic tid-bits.
The Kennebec River is a major river in Maine and is a historic waterway, providing a means of transportation for Native Americans and colonists. It is named by the Abnaki Indians for "long, quiet waters." It flows 164 miles from Maine's largest lake (Moosehead) to the Gulf of Maine/Atlantic Ocean at Bath.
The Kennebec River is the route Benedict Arnold took in 1775 on his march north in attempt to take Quebec from the British.
US Route 201 (Old Canada Road) is a major scenic route through Maine and follows the Kennebec River for many miles. The 78-mile stretch of Route 201 from Solon to the Canadian border is designated as the Old Canada Road Scenic Byway.
US Route 201 is also a significant part of the Kennebec-Chaudiere Heritage Corridor that starts on Maine's coast at Popham and winds its way to the Chaudiere River and the charming city of Quebec in Canada. From start to finish, the corridor is about 230 miles, with Solon being about one-third of the way.
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