Rotary Centennial Trail

The Rotary Centennial Trail is a wonderfully accessible jogging route, offering a peaceful journey through hardwoods with consistent views of the Kennebec River. Built on a former railroad bed, the trail features a level, wide, and straight path of packed gravel or dirt, making it ideal for an easy 2.9-mile (4.7 km) outing with minimal 61 feet (19 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 34 minutes. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like deer and bald eagles, especially from the scenic path extending down an old bridge abutment into the river.

Planning your visit is straightforward; the trail is rated easy and is very family-friendly, suitable for strollers and beginners. While generally accessible, be mindful that winter conditions can bring packed snow that may turn icy. The trail is part of the larger Kennebec Messalonskee Trails system, offering connections for longer runs, and is particularly beautiful during the fall foliage season.

This trail holds a unique history, having been constructed in 2004-2005 by the Waterville Rotary Club to celebrate Rotary International's centennial, commemorated by a granite circle sculpture. Its origin as an old rail bed, active from 1853 to 1918, explains its flat profile. Furthermore, the Rotary Centennial Trail is a section of the ambitious East Coast Greenway, a planned trail network stretching from Maine to Florida.