Sugarloaf Outdoor Center

The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, located off of Rte. 27 just one mile south of the Sugarloaf Access Road, offers some of the area's best maintained mountain biking trails for all ability levels. Trails are marked and range from level graveled dirt roads to expert single track through steep elevations. There is no fee charged to ride the Outdoor Center trails. Trails are not patrolled, and riders are asked to remain on marked trails, wear a helmet, and ride in pairs.

The Carrabassett Region NEMBA website has additional information on local mountain biking, including trail maps and trail conditions.

Carrabassett Backcountry Cycle Challenge

Organized by Carrabassett Region NEMBA, the Carrabassett Backcountry Cycle Challenge is an annual endurance race designed to bring together mountain bikers from near and far for fun, adventure and competition.  The Challenge features two courses: one is approximately 25 miles in length and the other approximately 60 miles in length, consisting of technical single track, double track and dirt roads. These courses will wind through the beautiful, unspoiled forests and mountains of Carrabassett Valley and its surrounding communities. Click here for more information or to register for this year's race.

About Carrabassett Region NEMBA:

Carrabassett Region NEMBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the building and maintenance of a sustainable mountain bike trail network in the Western mountains of Franklin and Southern Somerset Counties. Their goals are to increase the use of regional trails, link communities and support local businesses.

In recent years Carrabassett Region NEMBA has worked to build new trails and improve existing ones, greatly expanding mountain biking offerings in the area. To learn more about the group or to become a member, visit their website at www.carrabassett.nemba.org.

Additional Local Trails

• Narrow Gauge Trail - Park your car by Tufulio’s restaurant. To access this trail, cross the Carriage Road bridge and turn left on the Houston Brook Road. The road splits at the 1.5 mile mark. Follow the trail to the left and traverse the railroad bed along the Carrabassett River. Riders can go as far as Bigelow Station, which is 7 more miles. The trail is easy and perfect for the novice rider.
  
•  Carrabassett Valley Loop - This 19.5 mile trip starts at Tufulio’s Restaurant in the Valley, and is perfect for the intermediate level mountain biker. Park you car at the restaurant, cross the Carriage Road bridge and turn left onto Houston Brook Pond at the base of the Fire Warden Trail. Continue past the Appalachian Trailhead to Route 27. From there head south on Route 27 over Bigelow Hill to Bigelow Station. There the Narrow Gauge Trail will take you back to Tufulio’s. This scenic loop can also be a lot of fun for the expert biker, depending on the speed traveled.
  
• Carriage Road - This 5 mile trail starts from  Tufulio’s Restaurant in Carrabassett Valley, and is a difficult one meant for the experienced rider. Continue over the bridge and up the hill, past the Houston Brook Road. The first mile of this 4-wheel driver and snowmobile road is somewhat steep and rocky. After about 1 mile, the trail splits. To see Poplar Stream Falls, continue on the trail a short distance to the right. To go to Long Falls Dam Road, follow the trail to the left. Several streams bisect the trail and some places will flood during summer rains. Moose are often seen on this trail. After reaching the Long Falls Dam Road, you may turn left and bike another 5 miles to the Bigelow Lodge on a smooth, graded roadway.
  
• East Kennebago Mountain Trail - 10 miles east of Rangeley on Route 16, turn left on the gravel road. Cross the bridge, take a right, and at the fork, go left, take a second right and park your car (6 miles from the bridge). A post with snowmobile trail signs marks the trailhead. The trail is ideal for mountain bike enthusiasts. Length of the trail: About 6 miles round trip. Summit Height: 3,791 feet.
  
• Railroad Loop Trail - This 12.5 mile loop is maintained by the Trails for the Rangeley Area Coalition. The marked mountain bike trail can be accessed just south of the Rangeley Inn on the gravel road off Route 4 by Haley Pond. It continues over Route 16, where it skirts Gull Pond along the Camp Wayawi Road, then follows an abandoned railroad bed to Route 16. The trail follows a double-track road into Dallas, then leads to Saddleback Lake, continuing on to Dallas Hill Road in Dallas Plantation. Follow Route 4 back to Haley Pond. The last half of the trip has many long uphill distances . For more information, call the Rangeley Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at 207-864-5364, Rangeley Rec. Dept. of 207-864-3326 or TRAC at 207-864-5855.