From the Mountains to the Sea
The Mountain Division Railroad ran from Ogdensburg, NY to Portland, Maine (almost 400 miles). It was completed in 1875 and used for over 100 years. Because it was no longer economically viable, rail service was discontinued in 1958 for passenger trains and 1983 for freight trains. The eastern most section, located in southwestern Maine, runs 51 miles from Fryeburg on the NH border to Portland, Maine. The mission and vision of our organization are singularly focused on advocating for the construction of a paved recreational trail from the mountains of NH/ME to Portland and the sea.
Legislation (LD404) was signed into law on 7/6/23, authorized the Maine Department of Transportation to remove the rails and ties, plan, engineer, and construct a trail until rail from Fryeburg to Standish. When completed this will connect 31 miles of new trail to the 10 miles already constructed and in use. Visit the timeline to learn more about our history.
🟢 4 miles - Fryeburg
🟢 6 miles - Standish, Gorham, Windham
🟠 10 miles - Fryeburg to Hiram
🟠 21 miles - Standish to Hiram
🟠 5 miles - Windham to Westbrook
🔴 5 miles - Westbrook to Portland
Latest Trail News
August 28, 2026
🚲 Our Summer 2026 Newsletter is here!
This is an exciting issue for the Mountain Division Trail! Fryeburg, Brownfield, and Hiram have all voted to move forward with their Maintenance and Operations Agreements with MaineDOT, clearing the way for the next phase of the approximately 10-mile trail expansion.
🚧 What happens next with construction
🗳️ Highlights from the Brownfield and Hiram votes
📊 2026 trail-use numbers
🎉 Photos from a busy summer of community events
📋 Results from our 2026 Public Trail Survey
With the agreements in place, MaineDOT can move forward with the contractor selection process. Construction could begin as early as late fall 2026, with completion of the new section currently anticipated in 2028.
Thank you to everyone who helped us reach this milestone. The next chapter of the Mountain Division Trail is about to begin!
www.fotmdt.org/newsletters
August 11, 2026
*Venue Change* In anticipation of a larger crowd than the Hiram Town Office can hold, the venue has been changed to the Sacopee Valley Middle School Cafeteria, same date and time. August 20th at 7:00pm
August 6, 2026
The Town of Brownfield voted in FAVOR of signing the Maintenance Agreement! Next is Hiram on August 20th at 7:00PM. Sacopee Valley Middle School Cafeteria
July 22, 2026
The people of Maine have spoken. Now it's Brownfield's turn.
After years of public meetings, testimony, and debate, the Maine Legislature passed LD 404, authorizing the Mountain Division Trail. Now the next step is finalizing the maintenance agreement so construction can move forward.
Don't let misinformation decide the future of our community. Come learn the facts, ask questions, and make an informed decision.
📍 Informational Session
Wednesday, July 22
6:00 PM
Brownfield Community Center
🗳️ Town Vote
Thursday, August 6
6:00 PM
Brownfield Community Center
This trail represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a safe place for walking, biking, and outdoor recreation while supporting local businesses, tourism, and our communities for years to come.
Make your voice heard.
Vote YES.
June 23, 2026
Public Comment Period Extended to June 30!
We're in the home stretch! The public comment period for the Mountain Division Trail expansion engineering study has been extended to June 30, 2026.
If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to submit your comments and show your support for this once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand the Mountain Division Trail. Years of work have brought us to this point, and we are so close to completing this phase and moving on to the next steps.
Your voice matters. Strong public support will help keep the momentum going toward construction and a connected trail for generations to come.
Review the project and submit comments here:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/.../6e9ffdda3bca497daddadfe1...
Thank you for supporting the Mountain Division Trail and helping make this vision a reality!
Our Mission is to work with the nine communities along the Mountain Division Rail corridor, Maine Department of Transportation, and other organizations and stakeholders to create a safe, welcoming, contiguous trail that connects existing paved portions of the trail to provide for active transportation and recreation opportunities from Fryeburg to Portland.
We envision communities along the Mountain Division Line connected by trails that are safe and welcoming for active transportation and recreation, improve the health and well-being of residents and visitors, create economic benefit for Southern and Western Maine, and further connect to a network of trails across Maine and beyond.
The Friends of the Mountain Division Trail is composed of Mountain Division line community stakeholders.
Community Partners
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