The Forks Area Maine Favorite Loop Rides To Take On Your Snowmobile Vacation
Here are some highly recommended rides in the area. They all involve loops to minimize backtracking on the same trail. (All mileages are approximate.)
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Trail Map
There is a very good trail map available for this area. You can download it here at our site, or pick one up when you arrive at our resort or anywhere in The Forks.
New Moxie Mountain Base Trail Added to ITS 87
We’ve added a fantastic new trail. ITS 87 now winds around the base of Moxie Mountain for several miles. The scenery around the mountain is nothing short of spectacular, with wilderness vistas and many views of the rocky summit of Moxie. There’s also a groomed spur trail (3 miles) up the west side of the mountain to the Moxie Mtn. Overlook, with expansive views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Bigelow Range.
Kennebec River Loop (20 miles)
Ride the trail out of Northern Outdoors to the junction of ITS 87. Take ITS 87 north to the ITS 86 junction on the Boise Road (Trail Junction ST 9). Follow ITS 86 west/ITS 87 north back toward The Forks. Just before town, take the Kennebec River Trail back to Northern Outdoors.
Scenic views: Mosquito Mountain, Kennebec River.
Moxie Mountain / Pleasant Pond Loop (45 Miles)
Ride the trail out of Northern Outdoors, to ITS 87. Take ITS 87 south. This trail will lead you around the base of Moxie Mountain for several miles, with spectacular views of the mountain. Take the 3 mile spur trail to the Moxie Mtn. Overlook. Continue south on ITS 87. Head north on the Bald Mountain Trail to the Pleasant Pond Trail. Ride the Pleasant Pond Trail west, back to ITS 87. Head north on ITS 87 back to Northern Outdoors.
Scenic views: Moxie Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, Bigelow Range, Pleasant Pond Mountain, Pleasant Pond.
Bald Mountain / Moxie Mountain (60 miles)
Ride the trail out of Northern Outdoors, to ITS 87. Take ITS 87 north to the ITS 86 junction on the Boise Road (Trail Junction ST 9). At this point, ride ITS 86 east to the Bald Mountain Trail junction. Head south on the Bald Mountain Trail, to ITS 87. Ride ITS 87 north around the base of Moxie Mountain, with spectacular views of the mountain. Take the 3 mile spur trail to the Moxie Mtn. Overlook. Continue on ITS 87 north. Ride the short connector trail back to Northern Outdoors.
Scenic views: Mosquito Mountain, Moxie Lake, Bald Mountain, Moxie Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, Bigelow Range, Pleasant Pond.
Grand Falls via Lunch at Maine Huts & Trails (70 miles)
From the Northern Outdoors lodge, take the Kennebec River Trail to connect with ITS 86 west. Stay on ITS 86 west to Grand Falls, a 35-foot waterfall spanning the entire width of the Dead River. Once at Grand Falls, signs will direct you to the Maine Huts & Trails Grand Falls Hut, just 2-miles from the falls. At this remote and welcoming hut, you’ll find a hearty lunch and modern amenities. To return to Northern Outdoors, take ITS 86 east and connect back onto the Kennebec River Trail.
If you have time and want to extend your trip, check out the directions below for the Coburn Mountain / Grand Falls Loop (95 miles).
Scenic Views: Kennebec River, Dead River, Granny Cap Mountain, Grand Falls.
Moxie Mountain / Greenville Loop (95 miles)
Ride the trail out of Northern Outdoors, to ITS 87. Take ITS 87 south. This trail will lead you around the base of Moxie Mountain for several miles, with spectacular views of the mountain. Take the 3 mile spur trail to the Moxie Mtn. Overlook. Continue south on ITS 87. Head north on the Bald Mountain Trail to ITS 86. Ride ITS 86 east to ITS 85 (Trail Junction PS 11). Head north on ITS 85 into Greenville for lunch and gas. Greenville has an active “downtown” right on the shore of Moosehead Lake, with many restaurants to choose from and several shops to explore. After lunch, return on ITS 86 west all the way to the junction with ITS 87 on the Boise Road (Trail Junction ST 9). Follow ITS 87 south, then take the short connector trail back to Northern Outdoors.
If you have time and want to extend your trip, take a ride to the B-52 crash site on Elephant Mountain. Parts of the mammoth plane that crashed into the mountain in 1963 remain. There’s also a simple memorial to the servicemen who lost their lives. Just take ITS 85 north out of Greenville to the crash site (about 15 miles one way).
Scenic views: Mosquito Mountain, Moxie Lake, Moosehead Lake, B-52 Site, Bald Mountain, Moxie Mountain, Pleasant Pond.
Coburn Mountain / Grand Falls Loop (95 miles)
Ride the Kennebec River Trail to Berrys Store in West Forks. At Trail Junction ST 10, take ITS 87 north. Approximately 8 miles north of Berry’s Store, take the Connector Trail west over Johnson Mountain, to ITS 89. Ride ITS 89 north ½ mile, to the spur trail up Coburn Mountain. The dead end trail up the mountain is 2 miles long, and is divided into two sections. The first section to the Radio Repeater Tower is groomed regularly and is easily doable by any rider. The final 1 mile from the Repeater Tower to the top, is recommended only for experienced riders. It is a very narrow, winding and steep trail that is not regularly groomed. There are scenic views from both the Repeater Tower and the summit. Descend from the mountain, and head south on ITS 89. Stop in at Bulldog Camps for lunch/gas (just off ITS 89). Continue on ITS 89 south to Trail Junction ST 11. Take ITS 86 east back to Berrys Store and Trail Junction ST 10. Return to Northern Outdoors on the Kennebec River Trail.
If you have time and want to extend your trip, take a ride to Grand Falls. Just continue 10 miles on ITS 89 south, from Trail Junction ST 11.
Scenic views: Kennebec River, Coburn Mountain, Mount Katahdin, Sugarloaf Mountain, Bigelow Range, Granny Cap Mountain, Grand Falls, Dead River.
Jackman / Coburn Mountain Loop (130 miles)
Ride the Kennebec River Trail to Berrys Store in West Forks. At Trail Junction ST 10, take ITS 86 west. At Trail Junction ST 11, take ITS 89 north. At Coburn Mountain, take the spur trail to the summit (read Coburn Mountain trail description under COBURN MOUNTAIN LOOP). Continue on ITS 89 north to the scenic Attean Overlook. Continue on ITS 89 north and stop for lunch/gas in Jackman. After lunch, stay on ITS 89 north to Trail Junction ST 19. Ride ITS 88 east to Trail Junction ST 15. Take ITS 87 south all the way back to Trail Junction ST 10 in West Forks. Return to Northern Outdoors on the Kennebec River Trail.
Scenic views: Kennebec River, Dead River, Granny Cap, Coburn Mountain, Attean Overlook, Boundary Bald Mountain, Moose River, Cold Stream Mountain.
