Maine is, mile-for-mile, one of the most difficult states on the Appalachian Trail. This section has traditionally been a crux for FKT’ers doing the full AT. The section contains over 280 miles and 63,000 feet on some of the most rugged trails in North America.
The route starts (or ends) at the remote Maine-New Hampshire AT border which can be reached with a steep 2-mile hike-in from Success Pond Road, traversing the Mahoosuc, Saddleback, and Bigelow ranges, entering the relatively forgiving central Maine section, traversing the remote 100-mile Wilderness before entering Baxter State park and ending (or starting) atop Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the full AT.
The Maine AT, for all its ruggedness and beauty, is worthy of a standalone FKT and a noteworthy route in the Northeast region.
