If there's nothing you love more than hiking up a tough trail to a beautiful summit, Baxter State Park has everything you need for an amazing adventure. With hundreds of miles of trails, this park will challenge you and reward you at every turn.
Looking for the toughest trails to do in Baxter? These four trails will push your limits - and give you the best views in the end.
1. Mount OJI
Mount OJI (pronounced "O-J-I") is named that way because of rock slides that scarred the side of the ridgeline. Viewed from the front, they resembled the letters that have become this mountain's namesake.
With a steep hike up to the peak, Mt. OJI is a fantastic trail to challenge yourself in the Maine wilderness. For an 8-9 mile round trip, enjoy this quieter trail and walk the ridgeline on Mount OJI. You'll get fantastic views no matter where you turn, so it's a great trail to do in the summer or fall.
2. Katadhin-Hamlin Loop
Combining the two tallest peaks in Baxter State Park, this trail is a great way to maximise the results you get from your efforts. At 10.8 miles, this strenuous hike will challenge you. But the views (and the experiences) you'll get will be worth every step.
To get here, start at the Roaring Brook trailhead. Follow the Helon Taylor trail up to Pamola Peak. You'll then traverse the infamous Knife's Edge section before reaching Hamlin peak and Katadhin beyond it.
If you're looking for a hike that will push you to the max, this is the one to do. You'll have incredible views throughout as you explore this pivotal trail in Baxter state park.
3. Traveler Loop
Want an alpine hike that's away from the crowds? Check out Traveler Loop trail. This 10.5 mile trail will challenge you, but it will give you stunning views of the Maine wilderness in return. And because this one is a bit out of the way, you'll most likely have all the solutide you need on your adventure.
The Traveler Loop will lead you to the summits of three different mountains: Traveler Mountain, North Traveler Mountain, and Peak of the Ridges.
From the viewpoints, you'll get uninterrupted views of the rest of Baxter State Park. Bring your camera, because you're going to want pictures from this place.
To get to this trailhead, enter Baxter State park by the less-popular Matagon Gate entrance in the north. Depending on what time of year you go, you'll have much of the trail to yourself. This makes it a stunning way to experience the solitude of the Maine wilderness.
When you're above treeline, make sure to stick to the trail. Alpine plants are part of a notoriously fragile ecosystem, and stepping off the trail can damage these places for decades.
4. Brother - Mount Coe Loop
If you're doing the New England Highest 100, you'll find yourself on this trail at some point. Even if you're not, the Brother - Mt. Coe loop is worth it for its quiet forest experience.
You'll earn the views on this trail, though. This 9.7 mile loop trail (with spur trails included) will push you through roughly 4,000 feet of elevation gain in the day.
Be careful on the return trip down from Mt. Coe. It traverses an exposed rock slide, and those rocks can shift under a hiker's weight at any time. Avoid this trail during or after it rains. This slide becomes treacherous when wet, and the rest of the trail quickly turns to mud.
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When you're looking for a tough New England adventure, Baxter State Park will provide you with all you need. These four trails will push you at every step, but at the end of the day, you'll be glad you did it.
Happy Hiking, my friend.