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Great Circle Trail

Nahmakanta Public Reserved Land, Katahdin Region, Maine

Distance
48.3 km
Elev. gain
1,102 m
Start
Near Rainbow Township
Finish
Near Rainbow Township

A simplified drawing of the real route — the distance above is the published figure, not the length of this line.

0 km185567 m above sea level44.1 km

Ground elevation sampled along the mapped route.

About this distance

Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands publishes the Great Circle Trail as a 30-mile loop (48.3 km). The OSM geometry measures about 44.9 km.

Common questions

How long is the Great Circle Trail?
The Great Circle Trail is 48.3 km (30 miles).
How much elevation gain does the Great Circle Trail have?
The Great Circle Trail has about 1,102 m (3,615 ft) of total climbing, measured along Far's route for the trail.
Where does the Great Circle Trail start and finish?
The Great Circle Trail starts and finishes at Near Rainbow Township.
Why do other sources list a different distance for the Great Circle Trail?
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands publishes the Great Circle Trail as a 30-mile loop (48.3 km). The OSM geometry measures about 44.9 km.

Sources

Route geometry from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Reviewed by a Far curator on August 9, 2026. Trail conditions, permits, and hazards change — verify before you go.