Hiking in Maine

Oh Maine, what a state! So much to say here, so let’s get started! Maine is apart of the incredible and bold, White Mountains. The White Mountains are known for their rock tops and extreme heights, being home to Mount Washington, which is the tallest in New England (located in New Hampshire not Maine). Here are some of the various hiking challenges within Maine, ordered from beginner to difficult, enjoy!

First on our list is, the Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit, which is a nice beginner to mid-intermediate hiking challenge. It offers great scenic views of the Moosehead Lake region, in Greenville, Maine. There are 6 hikes included in this challenge, that you can complete at your own pace. All you have to do is, record the date you completed each trail, the time you reached the summit, and a picture of yourself at the summit.

You can pickup an application for the challenge at the Moosehead Lake Visitor Center, or download the paper work online (here). Once you have completed the application you will return it to the Moosehead Lake Visitor Center. You can also complete this challenge in the winter, to become a winter member. As well as, you can become an Ultra member by finishing all six peaks within 48 hours! Finally, here are the peaks!

1. Mount Kineo- 3.8 miles round trip, with an ascent of 737ft, and a total elevation of 1,450ft. Directions can be found, here.
2. Eagle Rock- 6.3 miles round trip, with an ascent of 897ft, and a total elevation of 2,290ft. Directions can be found, here.
3. Borestone Mountain- 3.5 miles round trip, with an ascent of 962ft, and a total elevation of 1,923ft. Directions can be found, here.
4. Number Four Mountain- 3.3 miles round trip, with an ascent of 1,373ft, and a total elevation of 2,890ft. Directions can be found, here.
5. Big Moose Mountain- 4 miles round trip, with an ascent of 1,647ft, and a total elevation of 3,196ft. Directions can be found, here.
6. Whitecap Mountain- 6.5 miles round trip, with an ascent of 1,909ft, and a total elevation of 3,644ft. Directions can be found, here.

Second, we have the, Maine 4000-Footers Challenge. This challenge encompasses all Maine trails that are 4,000ft in elevation or higher. To complete this challenge, you will hike 14 different mountains, in 4 different mountain ranges (Baxter State Park, High Peaks, Bigelow Range, and Eastern White Mountains), and over 280 miles of the Appalachian Trail. You can apply, here, and hike the peaks listed below, to completely finish this challenge!

1. Spaulding Mountain- 9.3 miles round trip, and an elevation gain of 4,084ft, directions can be found, here.
2. Mount Redington- 9.5 miles round trip (loop with South and North Crocker Mountains too), an elevation gain of 3,881ft, and directions can be found, here.
3. Saddleback Horn- 6.3 miles round trip, 2,752ft elevation gain, and directions can be found, here.
4. South Crocker Mountain- 11 miles round trip (looped with Crocker, and Mount Redington as well), 3,353ft in elevation gain, and directions can be found, here.
5. Mount Abraham- 8.6 miles round trip, 2,903ft elevation gain, and directions can be found, here.
6. Bigelow, Avery Peak- 8.9 miles round trip (loop with West Peak as well), 3,395 elevation gain, directions can be found, here.
7. Saddleback Mountain- 5.4 miles round trip (via Bald Mountain Trail), 2,559ft elevation gain, directions can be found, here.
8. Bigelow, West Peak- 8.9 miles round trip (loop with West Peak as well), 3,395 elevation gain, directions can be found, here.
9. North Brother- 9.8 miles round trip (in loop with South Brother too), 3,618ft elevation gain, and directions can be found, here.
10. Old Speck- 6.6 miles round trip, 2,847ft in elevation, and directions can be found, here.
11. Crocker Mountain- 11 miles round trip (looped with Crocker, and Mount Redington as well), 3,353ft in elevation gain, and directions can be found, here.
12. Sugerloaf- 6.1 miles round trip, 2,299ft elevation gain, and directions can be found, here.
13. Katahdin, Hamlin Peak- 10.9 miles round trip, 4,475ft elevation gain, directions can be found, here.
14. Katahdin, Baxter Peak- 10.9 miles round trip, 4,475ft elevation gain, directions can be found, here.

Third, we have the Terrifying 25. This hiking challenge encompasses two different states, New Hampshire and Maine, is located in the White Mountains, and offers all difficult/hard rated trails. You will pick 20 mountains from the Required list, and 5, from the Electives list. You can find the different mountains, here.

Fourth, is the, New England 67, which includes, 67 different 4,000fters within New Hampshire and Maine. Here is a list of the trails.

Fifth, is the, New England 100 Highest, which, includes all the highest mountains in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. This website will tell you how to apply, the trails, and their facts.

Sixth, is the Northeast 115. This a MONSTER of a challenge, it includes the New England’s 67 hiking challenge trails, the Adirondack’s 46er challenge, Slide, and Hunter Mountain of New York. Thus, if you’ve already done the New England 67 and Adirondack’s 46er, you’re basically there. Here is a list of the full trails to complete and how to apply.

Seventh, is the White Mountains Red-Lining hiking challenge. This is for all you wild birds! If you can’t stand crowded trails, this is the challenge for you. Most of the hikes apart of this challenge don’t have a designated trail to them, and involve a lot of bushwhacking. The goal of this challenge is to, hike all the trails apart of the White Mountain’s Guide Book, which some of them, don’t have a marked trail. Here is a website with more information!

Eighth, and final challenge, is the Northeast Ultra 8. This challenge includes 8 different trails, that all must be completed within 24 hours or less. This challenge can also be completed in the winter. Here you can ask about registering for this challenge. And here are the peaks!

1. The Devils Path- 7.9 miles round trip (Twin and Indian Head Mountains too), 2,345ft elevation gain, directions, here.
2. The Great Range Traverse- 20.7 miles round trip, 8,622ft elevation gain, directions, here.
3. The Saranac 6- 33.8 miles round trip, 9,564ft elevation gain, with six different mountains, with directions for each mountain, Baker, St. Regis, Scarface, Ampersand, Haystack, and McKenzie.
4. The Cranberry 50- trails and rules can be found, here.
5. The Taconic Crest Traverse- information for the trail can be found, here and directions, here.
6. The Pemi Loop- information for this loop can be found, here and directions, here.
7. The Presidential Traverse- information for the traverse can be found here, and directions, here.
8. The Mahoosuc Traverse- information for this traverse can be found here, and directions, here.

And that wraps up all our hiking challenges within Maine and parts of New England! I hope you found at least a couple trails you can’t wait to climb! Also, if you didn’t find any that suit you, here, you will find a list of other fun activities and sites to see in Maine instead, enjoy!