Narrow Gauge Pathway

I love this town trail, mainly because the Carrabassett River it runs along is so beautiful and always different, depending on the time of year and day, the weather and cloud coverage.

Plus, the trail is easy and flat, okay for strollers and wheelchairs. For those who want more variety, or to do loops, there are footpaths/single-track bike trails that weave around the main path. To find a good map of all of these intersecting trails, check out The Outdoor Center’s website, which should have a summer and winter map available of the area.

If you start at the Carrabassett town office/town park and go west, the trail gradually climbs, just enough to notice if you’re skiing or riding a bike!

A bit of history: The two-foot narrow gauge line arrived in Carrabassett first in 1894, primarily to haul timber and lumber, but it also carried passengers. The line was extended in 1900, bringing it to Bigelow Station, where there was a steam sawmill. The rails were removed in 1927, the same year Route 27 was built between Kingfield and Eustis. In 2001, the town reconstructed the old railroad into a recreational path. You can read more on the trail pamphlet.

Directions: You can park at three different places: The town office/town park, at 1001 Carriage Road. Then you have to walk down Huston Brook Road to the Narrow Gauge Pathway, about 1.25 miles. But it’s a nice walk. You can also park at the airport off of Route 27. Additionally, you can park and pick up the trail off Campbell Field Road as well as near Bigelow Station, where the trail head is about 1,000 feet past the Access Road to Sugarloaf on the right (north) side of Route 27.