Hundred-Mile Wilderness

The Hundred-Mile Wilderness is a protected wild corridor along the Appalachian Trail in northern Maine, spanning untouched forests, ridges, and lakes. This section lies between the village of Monson and Baxter State Park, linking wooded valleys with rocky high ground.

Logging companies used this area for timber production starting in the 1830s, before protection measures were introduced during the 20th century. The shift to wilderness designation created a continuous corridor for the trail that now forms part of the Appalachian route.

Hikers speak of this section as the final test before reaching Katahdin, treating the crossing as a high point of their journey. Those who pass through move across terrain entirely free from settlement, guided only by trail markers and narrow footpaths.

Anyone planning this route should carry food for at least ten days, as there are no shops or road access along the way. The path crosses remote terrain where navigation and weather protection become essential considerations.

More than 330,000 acres of protected land provide habitat for moose, black bears, and numerous bird species that visitors regularly observe. The density of these animals makes encounters likely during the hike, especially in early morning and evening hours.