Off Mountain

Sugarloaf is the main attraction, but there’s a lot more to the Western Maine Mountains if you know where to look. The bustling, tight-knit communities of Kingfield, Stratton, Coplin Plantation, Eustis, Wyman, and of course Carrabassett Valley are home to artists, chefs, entrepreneurs, and year-round adventurers of every stripe. 

You already know about the legendary mountain biking, hiking, and skiing access in the area, but we invite you to discover even more: the quiet sandy beaches of Flagstaff Lake, Kingfield’s burgeoning art scene, restaurants with big-city flavor and small-town soul, and yes – some of the best schools in the state.

The Maine Huts & Trails network has two off-grid huts in the wilderness of Carrabassett Valley, the Stratton Brook Hut and the Poplar Hut, only accessible by hiking, cross-country skiing or mountain biking (see trail map inset below). 

Off mountain neighborhoods in Carrabassett Valley include:

– Bigelow Station at the start of the Access Road, next to the Stratton Brook Route 27 trailhead of the Narrow Gauge multi-use trail and across from the Dogsled Maine meeting area 

– Redington, a high-elevation and winding neighborhood nestled in the forest overlooking Sugarloaf

– North Ridge, a condominium complex overlooking Little Bigelow and across Route 27 from the Sugarloaf Airport and the family-friendly SugarBowl bowling alley with an arcade and virtual golf simulator

– Valley Crossing and Left Bank, condo complexes along the Carrabassett River and next to Tufulio’s Restaurant & Bar 

– Behind the Carrabassett Valley Town Park (which includes a playground, outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts) is charming neighborhood of A-frames and log cabins along Poplar Stream Road, Huston Brook Road, Little Michael Brook Road and others off the Carriage Road

– Spring Farm and Settler’s Lots, two rustic neighborhoods just south of Valley Crossing off Route 27

The Sugarloaf Express ski season shuttle transports riders from Farmington to the Sugarloaf Base Area, with stops in New Vineyard and Kingfield. 

Just north of the mountain you’ll find the unorganized territory of Wyman, a small but mighty region with the Appalachian Trail trailhead and parking area and access to the famed Bigelow Mountain Preserve. A new mountain biking trail network is being built in Wyman, bringing more year-round recreation to the area. Past Wyman, you’ll drive in rapid succession through Coplin Plantation, Stratton and Eustis, towns that all overlap Route 27. 

Here you’ll discover the causeway over the scenic Flagstaff Lake and boat launch, part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, and the family friendly 9-hole golf course Moose Meadows. Pines Market in Eustis (next to the stunning Cathedral Pines Campground) has extensive boat rentals.