Bangor: Penobscot River/Kenduskeag Stream Trails & Neighborhood Running

The best running in downtown Bangor is to combine the walkways along the Penobscot River with the Kenduskeag Stream Trails. One can mix & match these for a mainly off-road run of 7+ miles!

Penobscot River Walkway & Brewer River Walk. Up to 3.2 miles out & back.  This route combines two short paved trails on either side of the Penobscot River. On the west side of the river, the Penobscot River Walkway runs for 0.8 miles from the Paul Bunyan Statue to the Chamberlain bridge. Use May St./Summer St. to access the bridge, and cross it over to Brewer on the east side (it’s not a great bridge for pedestrians, but it’s doable). Then join the Brewer River Walk for 0.7 miles headed south to Hardy St.

Kenduskeag Stream Trails. From the north end of the Penobscot River Walkway at Broad St. Park, one can continue west on a trail along the Kenduskeag Stream for 2.2 miles, ending at Valley Ave. This is a scenic trail that crosses the stream five times on bridges, with views to falls, rapids, and old mills. Much of the trail is wooded, and it’s rated easy-moderate. There are stream views some of the time — more so when leaves off trees.

Neighborhood Running. There’s some nice neighborhood running in the center of Bangor that makes for a DIY standalone run or a nice add-on to the Penobscot River/Kenduskeag Stream. Two good options, which can be combined:  Note: good option in winter, when river trails not cleared of snow.

• Broadway Historic District. On the east side of Kenduskeag Stream. Use Broadway as an anchor. Some pleasant residential streets with historic Victorian homes. Be sure to include Broadway Park & Chapin Park.
• Whitney Park Historic District. Smaller area on the west side of the Penobscot, with pleasant streets & homes. Best streets for running are 3rd St. to 7th St. just south of Cedar St. Can include Hayford Park.