We’re thrilled to share that Loon Echo Land Trust has been awarded $142,000 through the inaugural Maine Trails Program to continue building mountain bike–optimized trails at Rolfe Hill Forest in Casco.

This funding represents an exciting next chapter for a place many in our community have long hoped to see conserved and thoughtfully developed for public recreation. After a multi-year effort, we successfully purchased the 400 acres that make up Rolfe Hill in early 2024, ensuring the land remains open and accessible while safeguarding its ecological value. Now, we’re building on that momentum.

This fall, we broke ground on the first new trail at Rolfe Hill, a 0.7-mile downhill flow trail built by the Mt. Abram Trail Crew. Funded through a combination of community donations and support from the Maine Mountain Bike Trail Fund, the trail will open in spring 2026 and marks the beginning of a much larger trail vision for the property.

With this new Maine Trails Program award, we’ll construct approximately two more miles of trail in 2026, including:

• A loop built to adaptive bike standards, welcoming a wider range of riders and pedestrians
• Additional directional downhill mountain bike trails
• Supporting improvements like expanded parking to accommodate increased use

The Maine Trails Program, a new statewide initiative created through the voter-approved Maine Trails Bond. The program reflects strong public support for investing in outdoor recreation, community connectivity, and access to trails across Maine. To fully build out Phase 1 of the Rolfe Hill trail system, your support will be essential. Community contributions help ensure these trails are built to a high standard, remain welcoming to a wide range of users, and deliver lasting recreational benefits for the Lake Region. Donate to support the Rolfe Hill trail project here.

Rolfe Hill Forest is already an important part of Casco’s landscape. In the coming years, it will become a dynamic community forest - a place to ride, explore, and connect with the land. We can’t wait to welcome you to the trails in 2026. Until then, thank you for being part of the community that made this possible.

Learn more about the project at lelt.org/rolfe-hill.