Staff Writer

A new segment of the Cross Town Trail (CTT) is now open for walking and biking. The Presumpscot Regional Regional Land Trust (The Land Trust), the Gorham Recreation Department and the Gorham Conservation Commission worked jointly to open Phase 1 of the Cross Town Trail (CTT).

The trail (3 miles out and back) runs roughly from an entrance near Dodge Oil on New Portland Road to Hutcherson Drive in the Gorham Industrial Park. It travels along the old York and Cumberland Railroad bed which ran through the center of Gorham beginning in the 1850’s. The rail was removed about 70 years ago.

There are several ways to access the trail. In addition to the kiosk and parking near Dodge Oil, a kiosk will be installed sometime this Spring at the Hutcherson Drive Trail Head.

The CCT can also be reached from the end of Joseph Drive, off Rt. 25, bywayofa .1-mile path bordering a wetland in the 3-acre Meadowland Preserve which connects to the CTT Trail. The popular Frazier Preserve near the High School, a popular spot for mountain bikers and walkers is also part of the Cross Town Trail.

Before you go hiking, you can check a link on the Land Trust website to make sure which trailheads have been plowed for parking this winter. Remember to carry in, carry out. Dogs must be leashed.