The Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) was completed in Maine in the 1930s. The footpath travels through a corridor of protected lands that is, on average, 1,000 feet wide. Unlike many other states where the A.T. traverses through expansive tracts of protected National Forest, the majority of the narrow corridor of A.T. land in Maine is bordered by private land, much of which is not protected from development.
The A.T. in Maine
The A.T. in Maine traverses a rich and diverse landscape with grand vistas and is widely recognized as one of its wildest and most spectacular sections. The A.T. travels 281 miles across the state from the summit of Katahdin southwesterly to the Maine-New Hampshire border. The trail lands encompass varied ecosystems from sub-alpine forests and alpine plant communities to large tracts of northern hardwood and spruce-fir forests to extensive wetlands and important aquatic environments. The fabled 100-Mile Wilderness portion of the A.T. is the longest stretch of uninterrupted wilderness on the entire route.
The Maine A.T. represents a strong pride of place for individuals from all spectrums of life, whether they have traveled many miles to experience it, live in one of the small rural communities that exist near it, or simply care about preserving one of this country’s last special places. Conserving the land that surrounds the trail will ensure this special place remains undeveloped and untainted, ensuring future generations will be able to appreciate and learn from it.
Appalachian Trail Organizations in Maine
Maine Appalachian Trail Club
Maine Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
National Park Service
Appalachian National Scenic Trail