Bold Coast Scenic Bikeway, Eastern Gateway
Calais sits on the banks of the St. Croix River at the Bold Coast’s northernmost head-of-tide. Just a stone’s throw across the river is St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. The Calais Waterfront Walkway, once part of the Maine Central Railroad, is a grassy riverside promenade in downtown Calais with benches, picnic facilities, bike repair and EV charging stations, a boat launch, and 1.5-miles of outstanding vistas over the St. Croix River and downtown St. Stephen. The main entrance is behind the Wahponaki Cultural Center and Maine State Visitor Center. St. Stephen also has a riverside promenade connecting pocket parks and downtown shops and eateries. St. Stephen’s walkway is just across the International Bridge, providing an easy, delightful three-nation vacation, or entre to New Brunswick’s own Scenic Drives. Ganong Chocolate Museum is just a few steps off the walkway. Savor the 150-year chocolate legacy of Ganong family chocolatiers, and explore St. Stephens history on the Heritage Chocolate Walking Tour.
The Calais Waterfront Walkway marks the easternmost trailhead of two national bicycling routes, East Coast Greenway and US Bike Route 1, both of which run between Key West, Florida and Calais, Maine.
The Waterfront Walkway is also easternmost gateway for the Bold Coast Scenic Bikeway, a 211-mile bicycling route that generally follows the Scenic Byway and connects with the same features, but directs bicyclists to less-trafficked side-loops. The opposite end of the Bikeway is 10 miles west of Milbridge on US Route 1.
The Scenic Bikeway was born from the Scenic Byway’s enormous success. Strong community support garnered state-wide attention of the Scenic Byway, and the Bold Coast became increasingly recognized as the hidden gem that it is. Intrigued, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine scouted the potential for Bold Coast communities to host their annual ride, Bike Maine, designed to bring attention and economic support to Maine’s less visited communities.
The Bold Coast was chosen for Bike Maine 2016, which sold out more quickly and attracted more Mainers than past rides. The Bicycle Coalition recognized the Bold Coast’s potential as a world-class bicycling route, and partnered with local and state interests to create the Bold Coast Scenic Bikeway.
Meanwhile, a year of extensive community-led planning and preparation ensued. Bike Maine 2016 attracted 450 bicyclists, staff, and volunteers to tour up the Bold Coast. Communities, individuals, and organizations along the route hosted meals, campsites, entertainment, and much more for 7 days. Responses from riders and residents were overwhelmingly positive, and, with a little perfecting of the Bike Maine 2016 route, the Bold Coast Scenic Bikeway was born. The route’s wayfinding signage is supported by online maps and information. Bold Coast communities continue to support a safe, accessible, world-class bicycle route along the Bold Coast.
More information here: https://discoverboldcoast.com/biking/bold-coast-scenic-bikeway/
