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Hiking

Terrain

Maine Huts & Trails provides unparalleled access to some of the most pristine natural places in the Northeast. Whether you’re interested in a long hiking expedition or a scenic day hike, you’ll find a trail that fits.

The huts are connected by trails of mild to moderate difficulty with approximately twelve miles between each hut. Some hikers choose to increase their mileage by exploring the Bigelow Preserve or venturing onto the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the Maine Huts & Trails network.

Be prepared for varying terrain, including rock gardens, small stream crossings, and rolling hills. The entire Maine Huts & Trails system is below tree line, and there are no dangerous steeps or hand-over-hand climbing. There are many places along the trail to stop and take in the view, or even cool off in a stream or waterfall.

Suggested Routes

There are endless hiking options both on the main trails and throughout the surrounding mountains. For a complete look at all the trails, including elevation changes, be sure to check out our trail map.

Easy

Flagstaff Lake via Maine Huts Trail and Shore Trail Loop: 4.4 miles

Poplar Stream Waterfall Loop: 5.93 miles

Moderate

Stratton Brook Hut Loop via Oak Knoll and Newton’s Revenge/Maine Hut Trail: 7.3 miles

Download Trail Map | Order Fold-out map >>

Trail Conditions

Trail conditions don’t change much during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Updates regarding closures and reroutes will be posted on social media. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date trail information.

Best Maine Hut Destinations for Hiking

  • Stratton Brook Hut Image of the Stratton Brook Hut with wood sides after a snowfall with snow in the trees.

    Getting to Stratton Brook Hut requires a moderate ascent of just over 600ft of elevation. Visitors should be prepared for a hearty workout on the way up and a fun, fast descent on the way down. When to Visit Stratton Brook Hut Our eco-lodge is open primarily during our winter season (late December through mid […]

  • Poplar Stream Hut The Poplar Falls Hut with tan wood siding and a metal roof in winter. A cross country ski trail is in the foreground.

    Poplar Stream Hut is the closest hut to our Kingfield office and can be accessed from the Airport Trailhead in Carrabassett Valley. Reaching the hut requires crossing land owned by the Penobscot Indian Nation and leased by Maine Huts & Trails. Please be respectful of the land and wildlife as you enjoy a gentle ascent […]

  • Flagstaff Lake Hut Arriving at Flagstaff Hut

    A two mile hike from the trailhead will deliver you to a picturesque lakeside vista before reaching the hut where you can kick back and relax. Our most popular hut, Flagstaff is a great “first hut” for new visitors and for wildlife enthusiasts. Birders will see kingfishers, loons, and pileated woodpeckers. Deer, beavers, and playful […]

  • Grand Falls Hut (Closed)

    Grand Falls is our most remote hut, located almost 12 miles northeast of Flagstaff Lake. A combination of dead outdated batteries and washed out bridges have kept the Hut closed for the last couple years. In addition to the batteries needing replacement, record flooding has not been kind to our 18+ bridges that extend along […]