Sugarloaf Mountain

Elevation: 4,240 ft.

(NE115): #60

(NE67): #35

Distance From HoME: 7 minutes

Mileage: 5-6 miles roundtrip (depending on the trail) Sugarloaf Mountain, renowned for the epic ski trails on its north side, is the third highest peak in Maine after Katahdin Baxter and Katahdin Hamlin Peaks. The summit can be reached by taking the Appalachian Trail to Sugarloaf Trail, or hiking up the ski trails in the off season. Click here for a map. 

Kerri’s Recommendations: Park at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. On the right, you will see the SuperQuad trail lift. Follow this lift until you see the sign for Tote Road and take Tote Road to the summit. Add Spaulding Mountain via the AT for a roundtrip of ~10.5 miles.

Spaulding Mountain

Elevation: 4,000 ft. 

(NE115): #109

(NE67): #63

Distance From HoME: 5 minutes

Mileage: ~10.5 miles round trip with Sugarloaf

Spaulding Mountain, situated between Mount Abraham and Sugarloaf Mountain, is typically peak bagged with the other two in a point to point hike. Alternatively, Spaulding can be submitted with Sugarloaf since it’s just 3 miles farther for a ~10.5 miles round trip. Click here for a map. 

Kerri’s Recommendations: Park your car at Sugarloaf Mountain and take the Hostel's shuttle to the Mount Abraham trailhead. Take the Firewarden’s trail to the top of Mount Abraham, then the AT to Spaulding Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain. You’ll need to hop off the AT briefly to summit both mountains; there’s a sign for Spaulding, follow the high water route for Sugarloaf.

Mount Abraham

Elevation: 4,040

(NE115): #97

(NE67): #53

Distance From HoME: 40 minutes

Mileage: ~9 miles roundtrip

Mount Abraham, or Abram if you ask a local, is located northwest of Kingfield. Ranked as Maine’s 9th tallest mountain, Abram has an expansive alpine zone offering 360 degrees of unobstructed views. Click here for a map.

Kerri’s Recommendations: See above (Spaulding Mountain) for hiking Mount Abraham, Spaulding Mountain, and Sugarloaf Mountain in one go. To hike Mount Abraham alone, park your car at the top of Rapid Stream Road* in the parking area to the left. From the parking area, hike back down the road until you see a small opening on the left hand side (if you find yourself hiking down the snowmobile trail, you have missed the trailhead). Follow the Fire Warden’s Trail to the summit. 

*This is a rough, dirt road. Please consider this before bringing your own vehicle up the road. Reach out to us if you would like to arrange a shuttle drop-off*

Crocker & South Crocker Mountains

Crocker Mountain South Crocker Mountain

Elevation: 4,228 ft.                              Elevation: 4,050 ft.        

(NE115): #64 (NE115): #98

(NE67): #37 (NE67): #54

Distance From HoME: ~25 minutes (Caribou Pond (Valley) Road Trailhead) or ~5 minutes (AT Trailhead)

Mileage: ~9.5 miles roundtrip or ~6.5 miles roundtrip (depending on starting point)

While Crocker and South Crocker Mountains are regarded as some of the easiest 4,000 footers to conquer, their summits are forested. Most hikers summit both mountains in one go via the Appalachian Trail northbound from the Caribou Pond (Valley) Road trailhead or southbound from the Route 27 trailhead. Click here for a map.

Kerri’s Recommendations: 

Option 1: Park your car at the gate at the top of Caribou Pond (Valley) Road*. Hike past the gate and continue following the road until you intersect with the AT. Follow the AT northbound until you reach the top of both summits (don’t forget to check out the viewpoint on South Crocker). Mileage: ~6.5 miles roundtrip. Add Redington for a roundtrip of ~9 miles.

*This is a rough, dirt road. We highly recommend bringing a high clearance vehicle. If you do not have this option please arrange a shuttle drop-off or see the alternate option below.

Option 2: Park at the AT trailhead off of Route 27. Hike southbound (do not cross the main road) on the AT until you reach the top of both summits (don’t forget to check out the viewpoint on South Crocker). Mileage: ~9.5 miles roundtrip. Add Redington for a roundtrip of ~14 miles.

Mount Redington

Elevation: 4,000 ft.

(NE115): #111

(NE67): #62

Distance From HoME:  ~25 minutes (Caribou Pond (Valley) Road Trailhead) or ~5 minutes (AT Trailhead)

Mount Redington is a forested peak most commonly accessed via the Crocker Mountains. This game trail is a bit of a bushwack to the summit, but totally manageable. If you’re up to do Redington, we recommend banging it out with North and South Crocker Mountains. 

Kerri’s Recommendations: Redington is just over a mile from the summit of South Crocker. Once you leave the summit of South Crocker, you will find yourself on the herd path. Be sure to have navigation, map, and a compass if you happen to lose the herd path as this is an unmaintained trail. We recommend using AllTrails and having an offline map downloaded to track your location. Click here for a map.

Mount Bigelow, West Peak

Elevation: 4,145

(NE115): #75

(NE67): #43

Distance from HoME: 7 minutes

Mileage: ~10 miles round trip or ~13 miles round trip (depending on starting point)

The West Peak of Mount Bigelow is the highest in the Bigelow Range and offers 360 degree views of Flagstaff Lake, the Crockers & Sugarloaf. Most hikers access both Avery and West Peaks from the Stratton Brook Pond trailhead, which is a few miles shorter than starting from the Appalachian Trail crossing at Route 27. Click here for a map. 

Kerri’s Recommendations: 

Option 1: From the Stratton Brook Pond Trailhead, follow the Fire Warden’s trail to the Avery Col.. From Avery Col., go northbound to hit Avery Peak, back and southbound to his West Peak. Mileage: ~10 miles round trip. 

Option 2: If you are looking for a more challenging/scenic route, follow the Fire Warden’s trail to the Avery Col. From Avery Col, go northbound to hit Avery Peak, back and southbound to hit West Peak. From West Peak, continue on the AT southbound over The Horns, around Horn Pond, and down Horns Pond Trail back to Firewarden;s Trail. Don’t forget to check out South Horn! It’s just a short hike off the AT for a stellar view. Mileage: ~13 miles round trip.

Mount Bigelow, Avery Peak

Elevation: 4,088 ft.

(NE115): #83

(NE67): #47

Distance from HoME: 7 minutes

Mount Bigelow’s Avery Peak is the second highest peak in the Bigelow Range and the sister to West Peak. It’s also accessible from the Stratton Brook Pond trailhead and only .8 miles past West Peak, so the two are usually paired together. See above for Mileage.

Kerri’s Recommendations. Click here for a map.

Saddleback Mountain

Elevation: 4,120 ft.

(NE115): #78

(NE67): #45

Distance from HoME: 50 minutes (for both trailheads)

Mileage: ~4 miles roundtrip or ~10 miles round trip (depending on starting point)

Saddleback Mountain, the 8th highest peak in Maine, is more commonly known as the local’s favorite ski resort. Like Sugarloaf, it can be submitted via the Appalachian trail or from the ski trails in the off season. Click here for a map.

Kerri’s Recommendations: 

Option 1: From the base of Saddleback ski resort, begin hiking up the road to the Grey Ghost and Tri Color ski trails. From the top of Tri Color ski trail/Kennebago Quad, you will see a trail behind the buildings that continues onward and upward. Follow the trail until you intersect with the AT. Turn left until you reach the summit. Mileage: ~4 miles round trip. Add Saddleback Horn for a round trip of ~7 miles.

Option 2: If you’re looking for a longer route or it’s ski season, hike out and back northbound on the AT from Piazza Rock Trailhead off of Route 4. Mileage: ~10 miles round trip. Add Saddleback horn for ~14.5 miles round trip.

Saddleback Mountain, The Horn

Elevation: 4,041ft.

(NE115): #95

(NE67): #60

Distance From HoME: 50 minutes

The Horn is a two mile ridgewalk between Saddleback Mountain and Saddleback Junior that offers incredible views above tree line. Click here for a map.

*See above for recommended routes*