Millinocket, Maine
Mount Katahdin via Knife Edge
Maine's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Length
- 10.4 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 4,188 ft
- Duration
- 8–12
- Best Season
- Jun–Sep
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Knife-edge ridge, Glacial tarn
About the trail
Katahdin rises 4,000 feet above Baxter State Park's lakes and forests. The Helon Taylor Trail climbs Pamola Peak; from there the Knife Edge — a 1.1-mile ridge as narrow as 3 feet across with thousand-foot drops on both sides — traverses to Baxter Peak (5,267 ft) and the AT's wooden 'Katahdin' sign. Descend via Saddle Trail through alpine tundra and the Tableland.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 45.9044, -68.9214Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Reserve a Day Use Parking permit at Baxter State Park in advance.
- Park at Roaring Brook Campground.
- Take the Helon Taylor Trail to Pamola Peak (3.2 miles).
- Traverse the Knife Edge to Baxter Peak (1.1 miles).
- Descend via the Saddle Trail and Chimney Pond Trail back to Roaring Brook.
Parking
Roaring Brook requires a reservation; gates close once full (often by 7 AM).
Tips from the trail
- The Knife Edge is closed during high winds; check the trailhead board.
- If you're afraid of heights, ascend and descend via Saddle Trail and skip Knife Edge.
- Bring trekking poles for the boulder descent.