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View of the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

View of the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

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Appalachian Trail

It’s the longest hiking-only footpath on earth—2,193 green and rocky miles. The Appalachian Trail rambles through 14 states from Springer Mountain, Georgia to the stony heights of Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak. Hike it all and you’ll have climbed up and down 464,500 feet.

Maine’s AT

282 miles of the AT are in Maine, says the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. These are some of the most challenging miles of the entire route. But Maine’s AT offers easier hikes as well. Depending on where you go, you’ll find scenic summits, tight, sun-dappled paths, and brooks and ponds so lonesome it may just be you, your companions, and that noisy squirrel on the left.

Be prepared, though. Many Maine sections are in mountainous or remote areas. Check the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website for information on gear, appropriate trail use, possible facilities closures and safety measures.

Day Hikes on Maine’s Appalachian Trail

Here are some day hikes the Conservancy recommends along Maine’s AT.

Maine’s three major sections of the Trail offers additional adventures: The western section of Maine’s AT roams through Grafton Notch State Park in the Mahoosucs Range, a stunning part of the White Mountains on the border with New Hampshire. Hikers looking for short and medium-length jaunts can access the trail from inside the park.

In the central section of Maine’s AT is the 36,000-acre Bigelow Preserve. It includes the entire Bigelow Range, a compact group of seven summits, several over 4,000 feet. Hiking the range can be hard, as some trails are almost vertical. But the rewards include spectacular views and the chance to summit several peaks in the same day.

The eastern section of Maine’s AT ends atop Katahdin. Hikers planning to climb Katahdin or hike elsewhere in Baxter State Park should check with the park or with the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. Folks wanting a shorter trip within the region should consider White Cap Mountain, which offers views of Katahdin in the distance.

Businesses & Organizations

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  • Historic house museum, public trails, and community event space in Ellsworth

    Phone: 207-667-8671

    Website: www.woodlawnellsworth.org

    Address: 19 Black House Drive PO Box 1478 , Ellsworth

    History and Maritime Maine's Heritage Museums
  • Viles Arboretum is a no-fee 224 acre botanical garden which features miles of trails, a rotating suite of programs and events, a full service visitor center, and a variety of habitats home to flora and fauna of Statewide importance.

    Phone: 207-626-7989

    Website: vilesarboretum.org

    Address: 153 Hospital Street , Augusta

    Sanctuaries, Land Trusts and Refuges Trails and Routes
  • Viles Arboretum is a free, easily accessible, botanical garden that is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. The space includes six miles of trails, several botanical collections, and local art (all marked and signed), on 224 acres.

    Phone: 207-626-7989

    Website: www.vilesarboretum.org

    Address: 153 Hospital Street , Augusta

    Trails and Routes
  • Swan Island welcomes hikers, campers, birders, anglers, wildlife watchers and explorers.

    Phone: (207) 547-5322

    Website: www.maine.gov

    Address: Intersection of Routes 197 and 24 , Richmond

    Day Hiking State Parks Sanctuaries, Land Trusts and Refuges
  • Saint Croix Island: before Jamestown, before Plymouth.

    Phone: 207-454-3871

    Website: www.nps.gov

    Address: 84 St. Croix Drive PO Box 247 , Calais

    National Parks Islands Trails and Routes
  • Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s magnificent summer home

    Phone: 506-752-2922

    Website: www.fdr.net

    Address: 459 Route 774 , Welshpool

    Public Reserved Lands Guided Tours Islands

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