A long, still ridgeline at Baxter State Park. Layered pine, granite, and low cloud stretching to the horizon. — 220 miles of trail. 40 peaks. Weather that changes in the time it takes to tie a boot.
Photograph: Knowlton, courtesy Baxter State Park.

Hiking

220 miles of trail. 40 peaks. One mountain everyone knows.

Katahdin is the park’s most famous climb, but less than 16% of the trail network is on it. The other 84% is worth the drive, too.

Total trail: 220+ mi
Named peaks: 40+
Katahdin elevation: 5,267 ft
Difficulty: Easy → very strenuous

Katahdin

On climbing the mountain.

Climbing Katahdin is a long day. The shortest route — up the Abol Trail and down the Hunt — is about 8 miles round-trip with roughly 4,000 feet of elevation gain. Most parties take 8 to 12 hours. It is rated very strenuous because it is, not because the rating is a formality.

The last mile of the Hunt Trail follows the final northbound miles of the Appalachian Trail, across the Hunt Spur boulders and onto the alpine tableland. Baxter Peak is a sign, a cairn, and a view. Pamola Peak, across the Knife Edge, is a summit in its own right — and the Knife Edge is a ridgeline, not a trail. Do not attempt it in questionable weather.

Before you go up

Check the conditions line and the weather at the summit (not at the gate).
Register at the gate. If a trail is closed for alpine recovery, it is closed.
Start early. Pamola often builds thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Bring extra layers. It will be colder, windier, and wetter at the top.
Turn around if you need to. The mountain is patient.

Above the krummholz, vegetation recovers in decades, not seasons. Step on stone where you can. Step on scree where you must. Do not step on vegetation.

Chief Ranger, on alpine stewardship

Day hikes

Shorter walks, shorter windows.

Worth the drive even if you never reach a summit.

Trails at Baxter State Park
Trail	Area	Distance	Elevation	Time	Difficulty
Chimney Pond Trail From Roaring Brook to Chimney Pond, a classic approach to the Katahdin cirque with views up into the Great Basin.	Katahdin	3.3 mi	1,400 ft	2–3 hours in	Moderate
South Turner Mountain A steady climb out of Sandy Stream Pond to a summit with one of the best Katahdin viewpoints in the park.	Katahdin	4.0 mi	1,700 ft	3–4 hours round-trip	Moderate
South Branch Falls A short walk to a cascade between rounded ledges. Good for families and first visits.	North End	1.2 mi	150 ft	1 hour round-trip	Easy
Sandy Stream Pond An easy walk from Roaring Brook to a pond known for early-morning moose sightings.	Katahdin	0.8 mi	50 ft	30–45 minutes	Easy
Daicey Pond Nature Trail A gentle loop around Daicey Pond with interpretive markers and Katahdin reflections on still mornings.	South End	1.4 mi	80 ft	45 minutes	Easy
Blueberry Ledges Open granite slabs with long views south. Blueberry picking in late July when conditions allow.	South End	5.2 mi	900 ft	3–4 hours	Moderate

Summits & long efforts

Bigger days, with a plan.

Strenuous and very strenuous trails. Plan the whole day, not just the climb.

Trails at Baxter State Park
Trail	Area	Distance	Elevation	Time	Difficulty
Katahdin: Hunt Trail (AT) The final northbound miles of the Appalachian Trail. Boulder scrambles through the Hunt Spur, alpine tableland, and the summit sign at Baxter Peak.	Katahdin	10.4 mi	4,188 ft	8–12 hours round-trip	Very Strenuous
Katahdin: Knife Edge A narrow granite ridge between Pamola Peak and Baxter Peak. Route-finding, exposure, and wind. Do not attempt in questionable weather.	Katahdin	1.1 mi	400 ft	1.5–2 hours across	Very Strenuous
The Traveler Long, rocky, and rewarding. A ring of volcanic summits above South Branch Pond.	North End	10.8 mi	3,200 ft	8–10 hours	Strenuous
Russell Pond (via Wassataquoik) A committing walk into the heart of the park. Overnight at Russell Pond; plan two nights for comfort.	Backcountry	14.4 mi	1,200 ft	7–9 hours one-way	Strenuous

The Appalachian Trail

A northern terminus, by design.

Baxter is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. NOBO thru-hikers arrive in late summer and fall; SOBOs leave in early summer. The park works with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy on the daily management of the last miles of the A.T., including the Katahdin Stream Campground trailhead and the Baxter Peak summit.

Thru-hikers: read the park’s rules carefully before you arrive. The park does not relax its rules to accommodate thru-hiker schedules; please plan accordingly.

Know before you go.

The park’s conditions line is often the difference between a great day and a miserable one.

Today's Conditions →Park Rules