The Appalachian National Scenic Trail traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountain chain from central Maine to northern Georgia. The trail passes through fourteen states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. With a distance of approximately 2,180 miles (3508,4km) it is one of the longest continuously marked footpaths in the world. The trail's length, north-south alignment, changes in elevation, and the numerous peaks and ridges it crosses along this ancient mountain chains has resulted in one of the most biodiverse units of the National Park System.
The Maine section of the Appalachian Trail hikes:
(1) Katahdin Stream Campground in Baxter State Park is where access-trailheads for Mount Katahdin start, but it serves also as the starting point for the Appalachian Trail at Main.
(2) Daicey Pond Campground in Baxter State Park offers access to:
(a) Baxter Ponds Loop (Grassy Pond Trail): This is a child friendly and easy to moderate 3,7 miles or 6 km round trip in Baxter State Park. The loop uses the AT to discover 4 ponds: Daicey Pond, Grassy Pond, Tracy Pond and Elbow Pond. You will be rewarded with excellent views of Mt. Katahdin, with 5,270 feet (1,606 m) Maine's tallest peak, and other peaks. The Katahdin area with its woodlands, wetlands and marshes offers a great chance for a wildlife encounter. More information on the Katahdin Outdoors website.
Daicey Pond Topographic Map and Kidney & Daicey Ponds Trailhead Map
(b) Little and Big Niagara Falls: This is an easy to moderate 2,6 miles or 4 km round trip. This family friendly hike features one of the favorite waterfalls in Baxter State Park. If you want to learn more about Maines waterfalls, be sure to visit "the New England waterfalls", website. On the way you'll see some reminders of Maine's lumber industry, such as the Toll Dam across Nesowadnechunk Stream. By the time the logs reached the West Branch of the Penobscot River there was little or no bark left on them. Nesowadnechunk Stream helped in the process changing timber into lumber. For more information about Maine's lumber industry visit the "Maine History" website.
Little and Big Niagara Falls Topographic Map
(3) Pleasant Pond Mountain: A strenuous 3,2 miles (5 km) round trip takes you to the summit where you can enjoy panoramic views of Maine's rugged mountains, lakes and rivers. Watch out for the remnants of an old fire tower as you walk. This trail is near the Old Canada Road national scenic byway.
Pleasant Pond Mountain Topographic Map
(4) Dunn Notch and Falls: This is an easy to moderate 2 miles or 3,2 km round trip. Lower and Upper Dunn Falls are 2 gems to discover, being two of the highest rated waterfalls in Maine.
Dunn Notch and Falls Topographic Map
(5) The Eyebrow: Located in the Grafton Notch State Park this moderate to strenuous 2,2 miles (3,5 km) round trip leads to a viewpoint overlooking the sheer cliffs that drop to Grafton Notch.
Grafton Notch Topographic Map
If you're planning some hiking on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail "The Best of the Appalachian Trail: Day Hikes" is a fine book to look for.
More information on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Wikipedia websites.
This is the official Park Map Overview by the National Park Service and a detailed Park Map by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The latest also shows where to find parking and shelters. The reference points we've chosen use the same coordinates as those on the detailed Park Map by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountain chain from central Maine to northern Georgia. The trail passes through fourteen states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. With a distance of approximately 2,180 miles (3508,4km) it is one of the longest continuously marked...