QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: Not sure
- Trail Mileage: ~2.5 miles from end to end
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Androscoggin River, paved path, playground
Bethel Pathway in red; Valentine Farm trails in blue.
The paved portion of this town trail is just about 2 miles, and it’s really lovely and bucolic. Great for strollers, wheelchairs, and bikers, the trail starts at Davis Park and follows the Androscoggin River. It offers a few unusual experiences, including a tiny covered bridge and a long pedestrian bridge spanning the river. Colorful “chalk” games for kids have been painted on the sidewalk. Kids also seem to like the skatepark and playground at Davis Park, based on the number of children I saw playing there recently.
For a riverside trail, there aren’t as many views of the river as you might expect! Or easy access to the river. You’ll find a short footpath to the river’s bank about halfway along the trail, and you can also reach the river from the boat launch, at the east end of Davis Park. The footing down to the boat launch might be muddy and stony.
On the trail’s west end, the Bethel Pathway extends as a paved sidewalk all the way to the beautiful Valentine Farm, following North Road briefly before swinging in to edge the airport runway. (Valentine Farm is one of my favorite spots in western Maine!)
To the east of Davis Park, the trail continues to Intervale Road and the 0.4-mile Intervale Gateway Trail, which edges a large field with bluebirds. This portion is made up of sidewalk and gravel/mown grass. It curves up and around the field before ending at the edge of private land.
The total distance one way is just under 2.5 miles.
Directions: There are several places to pick up the trail. Probably the best place to park is at Davis Park, off of Route 26, just outside of town.
