Maine has some of the wildest hiking on the East Coast. The northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, a national park with iron-rung scrambles above the Atlantic, alpine ridges that rival the White Mountains, and enough backcountry to disappear for days. The trails here feel different — less manicured, more remote, and harder-earned. Here are the ones worth the drive.
Acadia National Park
Precipice Trail is the most famous scramble in Acadia — iron rungs and ladders bolted into a sheer cliff face on Champlain Mountain. It’s short (1.6 miles round trip) but the exposure is real. Closed during peregrine falcon nesting season (typically March through mid-August), so check before you go.
Beehive Trail is the other iron-rung route and arguably more fun — 520 feet of vertical gain in under a mile, with Sand Beach directly below and Atlantic views from the summit dome. Less crowded than Precipice and just as dramatic.
Cadillac Mountain via the South Ridge Trail is the longest hike in Acadia at 7 miles round trip, and the most rewarding. Open granite slabs, ocean views the entire way, and you reach the highest point on the North Atlantic coast. The sunrise from the summit is legendary — first place in the US to see the sun from October through March.
Jordan Pond Path is the easy classic — a 3.3-mile flat loop around a crystal-clear glacial pond with the Bubbles reflected in the water. Finish with popovers at the Jordan Pond House. Best for families or anyone wanting a peaceful walk after a harder summit day.
Beech Mountain has a fire tower with views across the western side of Mount Desert Island. It’s quieter than the east side and the sunset views from the tower are some of the best in the park.
The Big Mountains
Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine at 5,269 feet and the northern terminus of the AT. The Knife Edge — a mile-long arête with thousand-foot drops on both sides — is the most dramatic ridge walk east of the Rockies. Baxter State Park limits access and requires reservations. This is a serious mountain.
Bigelow Mountain is the hidden gem of the Maine AT — a long ridge with two 4,000-foot summits, alpine vegetation, and views from Flagstaff Lake to Sugarloaf. Nearly saved from becoming a ski resort by a statewide vote. The Horns Pond area is one of the best backcountry campsites in New England.
Old Speck Mountain in Grafton Notch is the highest peak in the Mahoosuc Range with a fire tower summit. Combine it with Screw Auger Falls and Mother Walker Falls in the notch for a full day in western Maine.
Lakes and Gorges
Gulf Hagas is the Grand Canyon of Maine — a 3-mile slate gorge on the West Branch of the Pleasant River with waterfalls at every turn. The rim trail is about 8 miles round trip through remote forest. Getting there involves a logging road and a river ford, which keeps it wild.
Tumbledown Mountain has an alpine pond sitting in a cirque between granite cliffs — one of the most scenic swimming spots in New England. The Brook Trail involves a chimney scramble and the Loop Trail has cliff ladders. Either way, the pond at the top is the reward.
Quieter Picks
Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park is a quick summit with harbor views — Penobscot Bay, the Camden waterfront, and island-studded ocean stretching to the horizon. You can drive to the top, but the trail from town is a satisfying half-hour climb.
Deboullie Mountain in the North Maine Woods is as remote as hiking gets east of the Mississippi. Fire tower, boreal forest, no cell service, no crowds. The kind of place where you might see a moose on the trail and no other humans all day.
How I’d Pick
Best overall: Katahdin. Best scramble: Precipice Trail. Best views for the effort: Cadillac South Ridge. Best swim: Tumbledown Mountain. Best for solitude: Deboullie. Best ridge walk: Bigelow. Best easy walk: Jordan Pond. Best for kids: Mount Battie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hike in Maine?
Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park is the best hike in Maine. At 5,269 feet it is the state's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The Knife Edge is a mile-long arête with thousand-foot drops on both sides — the most dramatic ridge walk east of the Rockies.
What are the best hikes in Acadia National Park?
Precipice Trail and Beehive Trail are the two famous iron-rung scrambles. Cadillac Mountain via the South Ridge Trail offers the best summit views in the park. Jordan Pond Path is the best easy walk — a 3.3-mile flat loop around a crystal-clear glacial pond.
Do you need reservations for Katahdin?
Yes. Baxter State Park requires reservations and limits daily visitors to protect the mountain. No dogs, no drones, and no cell service. Parking fills by 6 AM on summer weekends. Reserve through the Baxter State Park website well in advance, especially for July and August.