Rotary Centennial and Peter Garrett Trails, Benton/Winslow

This extended joined trail along the Kennebec River is beloved by locals and the subject of some fantastic photography posted on the Kennebec Messalonskee Trails Facebook page. The Rotary Centennial Trail is about 1.5 miles one way, while the Peter Garrett Trail (formerly the East Kennebec Trail), ends at about 0.7 miles at Scale House Road. So, according to my gadget, the walk one way in total should be a bit more than 2.2 miles, if you include some of the side trails.

The entire trail is quite straight as it follows a former railroad track. While this seems as if it could be monotonous, the lack of twisty, windy trail intrigue is made up by the beauty of the wide river you walk alongside the entire way, and the wildlife. At times you might hear and see a train across the river pulling in or departing from the rail yard.

The trail surface is packed gravel, making it wheelchair accessible and easy to walk. You can dip off the main trail at several points to check out the river and a couple of sandy banks. One of the trail highlights is the short path down an old bridge abutment that juts far out into the river, with fabulous views in either direction. This viewpoint is close to the trailhead and parking area at the end of Kennebec Trail Road, which is the best and easiest place to access the trail system.

The two river trails are connected at this large parking area. Here you’ll also find a small park with benches and picnic tables set atop an open grassy bluff. You might also notice some interesting ditching in the land. I think it is part of an artificial wetland?

If you head south, along the Peter Garrett Trail, look for the little Shore Path side trail close to the start of the trail. It’s not wheelchair accessible, but it gives you access to a wide, flat sandbank where you might find some interesting driftwood.

Directions: Park at the end of the unpaved Kennebec Trail Road, off Benton Ave., where there is a large, well-made parking area—and park area! It’s a beautiful place to start your walk.