The full name of this path is the Androscoggin River Bicycle and Pedestrian Path, indicating that all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts are welcome.
Cycling in South Central Maine Made Easy!
The path is a three-mile paved route along the edge of the Androscoggin River and is free and open to the public. It is situated primarily in Brunswick, Maine and is open 24 hours/day year-round.
The smooth, well-maintained surface makes the route amenable for the young, the old, the active, and the less-active to enjoy. So walk it, bike it, rollerblade it — get off the couch, tear yourself away from the computer, and get outside!
Scenic Bike Route is Accessible From Multiple Spots
The Androscoggin Bicycle and Pedestrian Path is a wide, paved route with demarcations for bikers to travel on one side and pedestrians to walk on the other (to keep everyone safe). The route is fenced from vehicular traffic, with one or two spots where private drives cross the path (bollards mark these spots).
Access points:
Cooks Corner in Brunswick: From State Route 24, turn onto Old Bath Road. Pass over US Route 1 and take first left onto Grover Lane. A small parking lot is available next to the Fairhaven Assembly of God Church.
Intown Brunswick: Just south of the Fort Andross area of town is the Water Street Boat Landing. There's plenty of parking here. However, the parking lot is only open during daylight hours (a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset). A locked gate restricts access at all other times. The Water Street Boat Landing is also a short walk or ride from bustling Bowdoin College.
Topsham area: Find parking at local merchants along State Route 24 at the end of the Coastal Connector Bridge between Topsham and Brunswick. There's a short, steep pathway to the bridge surface, where bikers and pedestrians have their own lane next to the guardrail. The lane dips and curves on the Brunswick end and connects directly to the Androscoggin Bicycle and Pedestrian Path.
Most of the path is in the open, with little shade. On sunny days, be sure to take sunscreen and water. There are two restrooms (outhouses) available — one near the Boat Landing and the other near the Cooks Corner end.
For those who wish a bit of rest and contemplation, there are granite benches in several shady spots along the river. Dog walking is permitted, and of course owners must clean up after their pets (trash receptacles are available).
One detractor from this scenic area is the ever-present US Route 1 traffic (the road parallels the path for most of its length). Instead, concentrate on the beauty of the 178-mile Androscoggin as it flows southward to its juncture with the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay and feel miles away from the hurried pace of 21st century living.
Cheryl Pratt - Cheryl Pratt has been a technical writer/graphic designer for a medical software company for the past 10 years. She has published articles ...
