Maine is chock-full of hiking opportunities, but there’s one little town that’s basically the gateway to some of the world’s best hiking. If you love to hit the trails and surround yourself with Maine’s natural beauty, you’ll want to head to the little town of Millinocket.

The little town of Millinocket is nestled right on the edge of Maine's North Woods, and is considered the gateway to one of the world's most incredible places - Baxter State Park. The town is quaint and charming, but one of its biggest draws is its nearby hiking trails.
Town of Millinocket, Maine
Visitors will find dozens of trails in nearby Baxter State Park, from simple strolls to difficult hikes that will challenge even the most experienced hiker.
For those who are looking for an easy stroll, the Daicey Pond Nature Trail is a nice way to spend an hour or so.
Alyssa Martin/Alltrails
It takes visitors through the forest and around the pond on a 1.4-mile trail that offers great bird-watching.
If you'd like a somewhat challenging, but accessible hike, the Chimney Pond trail is a good choice.
Tiffany Daigle/Alltrails
This gorgeous trail is 6.3 miles out and back, with an elevation gain of 1,463 feet. It takes you through a hardwood forest to Chimney Pond.
Find some quiet solitude on the Sandy Stream Pond Trail.
Manny Salgado/Alltrails
This lesser-known trail gives you all the beauty of Baxter State Park with less crowds. It's considered moderately difficult, with a 1,597-foot elevation gain, and offers gorgeous alpine scenery and a view of Mt. Katahdin.
The Katahdin Loop Trail was named the #1 Trail in the World by National Geographic, and it's absolutely stunning.
Griselle Piferrer/Alltrails
The loop trail is incredibly difficult, and not for inexperienced hikers or those afraid of heights. Along the 9.5-mile-long trail, you'll gain 3,900 feet of elevation, but you'll be at the top of the world when you reach the peak.
Baxter Peak on Mt. Katahdin marks the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Jeffrey Stylos/flickr
The sign at the peak marks the end of a six-month hike for those hardy souls who start in Georgia and hike all the way along the 2,200 mile-long-trail. As you can imagine, it holds a lot of significance for those who are completing this monumental goal. The Abol Trail takes hikers to this iconic sign and the trail's end.
No matter which trail you choose, this place is a hiker's paradise.
Mandy Sue/Alltrails
Hikers of all ages and abilities will find a suitable trail here, and you'll be surrounded by the incredible natural wonders that this part of Maine has to offer.

Learn more about Baxter State Park and its hiking trails on the park’s website. What’s your favorite hiking trail near Millinocket?

If you love hiking, you’ll want to check out this abandoned rail trail that’s one of the most unique hikes in Maine.

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