Community Access Trail System (CATS)

Trails available & stats: 

Double track multiple use pathway: 

Community Access Trail System

• Total Planned: 13 miles +/-
• Total Completed: X
• Cost: $900,000 ($430,000 raised to date)

When Inland Woods + Trails was originally established as Mahoosuc Pathways, a foundational goal was to connect Sunday River ski area to Bethel Village and nearby Mt Abram ski area in Greenwood through a system of multi-use, year-round trails that cross a mixture of public and private land. In 2022, IWT received a competitive, nationwide Trail Accelerator Grant (TAG) to engage the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) in creating the Main Street to the Mountains Master Plan. The plan, developed in October 2022, identified that 65 miles of trail could be added to the existing system which would include a wide range of trail types and experiences that support the goals of the community and enhance the town of Bethel’s draw as a destination. CATS was identified in plan as a high priority project central to IWT’s mission and is the literal backbone of shared-use recreation in the region.

In 2022, IWT opened the Community Access Trail System (CATS) between Mt. Abram and Bethel Village and has continued to construct portions of the CATS in the Bethel Community Forest which lies between Bethel Village and Sunday River Resort. Connection from Bethel Village to the Bethel Community Forest utilizes the Bethel Pathway, the ADA trail at Valentine Farm (owned and managed by the Mahoosuc Land Trust), and a short section of North Road. 

Despite finally making the connection from Mount Abram to Bethel Village, since 2023 the final thousand or so feet of the route connecting the woods roads with Vernon Street has been greatly compromised due to heavy rain fall and flooding of Kendall Brook which has undermined critical trail infrastructure. A re-route of this section of the trail is currently being planned. CATS can still be accessed in the Kendall Brook Forest at the Pine Ridge Road parking lot.

The connection: CATS is a critical backbone in connecting Mount Abram ski area and Sunday River Resort via Bethel Village. This trail provides important connectivity options for the greater community (towns of Bethel, Newry, and Greenwood) which as collaborators will help draw people to the area as a unique recreational opportunity in Western Maine often seen in other parts of the state.

Rules: 

• Dogs allowed on leash or under voice command on all trails 
• Authorized vehicles may be present at any time
• Motorized vehicles are prohibited on all trails except for the snowmobile trail route in the winter months 
• Snowmobiles have the right-of-way on the snowmobile trail in winter months 
• Active forestry may be occurring at any time 
• Overnight camping is prohibited 
• Carry out all litter, including pet waste.