Maine’s Hunt Trail on Mount Katahdin Named One of the Best Hikes in America

There may be many incredible attractions in Maine, but none are more iconic than its tallest mountain, Katahdin.

Standing at 5,270 feet, this momentous giant is equal parts beautiful and intimidating.

Mount Katahdin is Maine's Most Incredible Landmark

While it may be most famous for being the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, for us Mainers, it's also a stepping stone into big mountain hiking. Katahdin is a challenging hike, but one that can be conquered by generations of hikers with adequate planning and preparation.

Katahdin also features some of the best, and most notorious (hello, Knife Edge), trails in the entire state. This variety is unique, as it offers climbers of various skill levels multiple options to scale Maine's tallest peak. So, it's no surprise that one of those trails was recently named the best in the entire state.

What is Maine's Best Hiking Trail?

The influential travel site Day Tripper has published a list of the very best trails in every state. Getting the nod for Maine is one of the most popular routes for scaling Katahdin: the Hunt Trail.

This trail is a monster. Starting at the Katahdin Stream Campground, the Hunt Trail is a 9.1-mile out-and-back hike that is not for the faint of heart. AllTrails rates the trail as "Hard" and recommends it only for experienced hikers. With an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet, it features steps, ladders, rungs, exposed areas, steep sections, scrambling, and some absolutely breathtaking views. This trail quite literally has everything you're looking for in a challenging mountain hike.

Another major factor to consider is the weather—something that caught me off guard during my only attempt at this trail. Once you get above the treeline, conditions can change in an instant. There's nothing worse than a 70-degree sunny day turning into a 40-degree downpour. Just be aware: the weather patterns up there have a mind of their own.

There's no question you get the full experience with this hike—one that will take you the better part of a day. In fact, many hikers start the climb at the crack of dawn due to how daunting it truly is. Plus, you'll definitely want to leave time to enjoy the summit once you get there.

READ MORE: Maine’s Acadia Climbs to 7th Most Popular U.S. National Park

This is a great selection by Day Tripper. There are a ton of wonderful hikes in Maine, so it's not an easy decision to make. However, the Hunt Trail is a special one, given the challenges it presents—and the incredible reward for conquering it.

That said, Hunt is not the only amazing trail on Katahdin. Here's a look at the entire system.

Happy hiking!