Mount Katahdin (Knife Edge)
A 9.6–11-mile round trip climbing roughly 4,200 feet to Baxter Peak (5,269 ft), the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and the highest point in Maine. The optional Knife Edge — a mile-long arête barely a few feet wide with sheer drops on both sides — is among the most exposed maintained trails in the eastern US.
By The US Hikers editorial team · Last verified September 25, 2026
- Distance
- 9.6–11 mi RT
- Elevation gain
- 4,188 ft
- Permit
- Required
- Best season
- Mid-June to mid-October, once the trails are officially open
Permit note: Baxter State Park does not issue a hiking permit, but a Day-Use Parking Reservation is required in advance for the trailhead lots (Roaring Brook and Katahdin Stream) in season, and they sell out fast. Non-Maine vehicles also pay a day-use fee. Reserve through the Baxter State Park website, not recreation.gov.
Trail overview
Most hikers ascend via the Abol Trail or the Hunt Trail (the Appalachian Trail’s final miles) from Katahdin Stream, or via Chimney Pond and the Cathedral Trail from Roaring Brook. All routes converge near the Tableland before the final push to Baxter Peak at 5,269 feet.
The Knife Edge connects Baxter Peak to Pamola Peak along a jagged, roughly mile-long ridge that narrows to a few feet wide in places. It is optional, spectacular, and absolutely not the place to be in wind, rain or lightning — there is no easy bail-out once you commit to it.
Parking reservations and access
Baxter State Park caps daily visitation by controlling trailhead parking. A Day-Use Parking Reservation for Roaring Brook or Katahdin Stream is required in season and typically must be booked well in advance; reservations open on a rolling schedule and popular summer dates disappear within minutes.
There is no permit lottery like Half Dome or Angels Landing — access is entirely gated by the parking reservation, so secure that first and confirm current fees and rules on the official Baxter State Park site before finalizing any plans.
Fitness, timing and safety
Plan on 8–12 hours car-to-car. The park classifies Katahdin as strenuous and stresses that most rescues involve hikers who underestimated the terrain or ran out of daylight — start at first light and set a firm turnaround time.
Weather on the summit changes fast and can be dramatically worse than at the trailhead. Carry layers, 3–4 liters of water, and be prepared to skip the Knife Edge entirely if the forecast is marginal. The park closes the mountain when conditions are dangerous.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to hike Mount Katahdin?
Not a hiking permit, but you do need a Day-Use Parking Reservation for the Roaring Brook or Katahdin Stream trailheads in season, booked in advance through Baxter State Park. Non-Maine vehicles also pay a day-use fee.
How hard is the Knife Edge on Katahdin?
Very strenuous and highly exposed — a mile-long ridge only a few feet wide in places with steep drops on both sides. It is a maintained trail, not a technical climb, but it demands a head for heights, dry conditions and no fear of scrambling.
How long does it take to hike Katahdin?
A 9.6–11-mile round trip with about 4,200 feet of gain, typically 8–12 hours depending on route and whether you add the Knife Edge.
Make it a trip
Where to stay, what else to do and how to build an itinerary around Baxter State Park.
Plan a Maine trip on Roam StatesMore US trail guides
Sources
Primary sources only for facts that change (fees, permits, closures): nps.gov, fs.usda.gov and official recreation.gov permit pages. We stamp every guide with a "last verified" date and re-check seasonal figures each year.