Saddle Trail
- 2.0 mi
- one way
- 1,786 ft
- climb
- 5,262 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
Is Saddle Trail open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It doesn't name Saddle Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.
List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Park closure covering Appalachian National Scenic Trail · NPS · Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park alert covering Appalachian National Scenic Trail · NPS · Appalachian National Scenic Trail
As of · Source: NPS · Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Saddle Trail is a moderate hike in Baxter State Park in Maine, on land that also falls within the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Managed by State Park and Recreation, the route covers about 2 miles point to point. The trail spans a big elevation range, from a low of about 2,900 feet to a high near 5,260 feet. One way, it climbs about 1,790 feet and drops about 530 feet. The profile is rolling rather than one steady grade. Plan for a shuttle or a connecting route, since it doesn't loop back to where you started. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Several other routes start close by. Knife Edge Trail is about 0.1 mile away and Cathedral Trail about 0.3 mile. Abol Slide Trail and the Chimney Pond ("South") Basin summer rock routes are each roughly 0.8 mile off.
Local outfitters
- Northeast Whitewater49 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: barry.pousman, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Baxter Peak Cutoff Trail
~1 min drive
0.92-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 291 ft elevation gain.
Photo: barry.pousman, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Abol Slide Trail
~1 min drive
2.87-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 192 ft gain and 3,388 ft loss.
Photo: davidwilson1949, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Dudley Trail
~2 min drive
Dudley Trail is a 1.56-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 2,358 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: Pat Spinney, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)North Basin Cut-Off
~3 min drive
North Basin Cut-Off is a 0.61-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 26 feet of elevation gain.
Photo: Pat Spinney, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)North Peaks Trail
~3 min drive
5.16-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 243 ft gain and 3,332 ft loss
Photo: Pat Spinney, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Chimney Pond Trail
~2 min drive
3.08-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 1,480 ft gain
Photo: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Rum Pond Trail
~8 min drive
1.88-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 434 ft gain
Photo: barry.pousman, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Hunt Trail
~7 min drive
9.42-mile out-and-back trail in Maine with 4,319 ft gain and 5,209 ft max elevation.
Photo: davidwilson1949, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)North Basin Trail
~2 min drive
0.79-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 260 ft gain.
Photo: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Kettle Pond Trail
~8 min drive
Kettle Pond Trail is a 1.79-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 324 ft of elevation gain.
Route details
- Distance
- 2.0 mi
- Climbing
- About 1,786 ft
- Summit
- 5,264 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Time
- About 1.5 hours
Other routes up Baxter Peak
Questions about this route
How long is the Saddle Trail on Baxter Peak?
About 2.0 mi.
How much elevation gain is on the Saddle Trail?
About 1,786 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Saddle Trail?
It is rated moderate.
How long does the Saddle Trail take?
About 1.5 hours round trip.
How many routes go up Baxter Peak?
3: Knife Edge Trail, Saddle Trail and Hunt Trail.
Conditions and forecast on Baxter Peak
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
