Hike Katahdin Via the Cathedral Trail in Baxter State Park, Maine
1.7 miles (one way; also doesn’t count the 3.3-mile hike in on the Chimney Pond Trail)
1-3 hours (ditto)
Difficulty: Pack the Aleve. Then double-down
Hike the Katahdin Knife Edge Trail in Baxter State Park, Maine
I’ve never considered myself afraid of heights. Cautiously reserved, perhaps. One could even say I have a strong sense of self-preservation. But downright chicken—who, me? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Katahdin, the crown jewel of Maine’s Baxter State Park, has a not-so funny way of testing this resolve.
Hike Katahdin Via the Hunt Trail in Baxter State Park, Maine
10.4 miles round trip
6-8 hours
Difficulty: Pack the Aleve
Recommended Gear: Hiking Boots or Trail Runners; Trekking Poles
Hike Mt. Liberty Via the Liberty Springs Trail in Franconia Notch, NH
8.6ish miles round trip
4-6 hours
Difficulty: Weekend Warriors; equivalent to five hours on a stair master
Winter Hike the Old Speck Trail in Grafton Notch State Park, Maine
The Old Speck Trail in Grafton Notch State Park is a near-perfect hike for intermediate hikers. Ascending Maine’s third highest mountain (fourth highest peak) at 4,180 feet, the trail itself has 2,700 feet of elevation gain featuring stop-and-stare scenery with steep climbs that will get your heart pumping and intermittent plateaus to catch your breath. In the winter, at the tail end of a three-snowstorm week, the morning after one of the storms, it’s a little more difficult. Interpretation of the word “little” is really something everyone has to judge for themselves—a key piece of information I may have left out of the sales pitch to my wife.
Hike Cadillac Mountain Via the Gorge Path in Acadia National Park
3.8 miles round trip 2ish hours Difficulty: Weekend Warriors Good for: casual hikers, anyone looking to hide from tourists The Gorge Path begins with a leisure half-mile walk through pleasant…