Maine Hiking - 100-Mile Wilderness - Lodge Based

Trip Length6 Days
Group Size4–9
Activity level
Starting from
$3,799for REI Members
$4,169 for non-members
DeparturesAug 2025-Oct 2025
Live Chat 1 (800) 622-2236
Mon–Fri 7am–5pm PT

Spend 6 days hiking in the heart of northern Maine's famed 100-Mile Wilderness.

We journey into Maine's wild northern woods and have selected some of the best daily hikes of the 100-Mile Wilderness. The 100-Mile Wilderness is the name given to the next-to-last section of the Appalachian trail on its 2,180-mile route from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Katahdin in Maine. It encompasses a 750,000-acre expanse of forests and mountains, lakes and ponds, and rivers and streams. Henry David Thoreau made three trips to these woods in the 19th century, climbing mountains and paddling a canoe. The Wabanaki have been at home in the terrain for thousands of years, and Thoreau's indigenous guides, Joseph Attean and Joe Polis, led the transcendental adventurer along old canoe routes. We will discover for ourselves why Thoreau was so fascinated with this beautiful terrain leading him to writing In The Maine Woods.

Quiet ponds, sheer gorges, and rocky summits await us on each day's hike. We will be hiking on some sections of the Appalachian trail alongside pristine lakes and streams, and along a deep river gorge, with many scenic waterfalls- also known as "The Grand Canyon of Maine". Be on the lookout for wildlife as moose, black bears, and bald eagles are all residents of these woods. Each day we return to our cabins with comfy beds and hot showers. We spend the first two nights at the Medawisla Lodge and the last three nights at Gorman Chairback Lodge, both set on the banks of beautiful and pristine ponds, where we can go fishing and paddling. Each lodge sports a spacious dining room and lounge with a woodstove. Meals are sumptuous and served family-style in the camaraderie of fellow travelers. At the day's end we share our stories around a waterfront campfire and a starlit sky.

Gulf Hagas, known as the “Grand Canyon of Maine,” is a deep, rocky gorge in the Moosehead Lake region. We hike along the rim of the gorge providing stunning views of the falls and the gorge’s fascinating geological formations.

Trip Highlights

  • Hike through lush forest to lakes, waterfalls, and grand views from rocky summits
  • Fish, swim, kayak or canoe in pristine ponds
  • Stargaze in a designated International Dark Sky Park
  • Journey along the northern most section of the Appalachian Trail
  • Hike to Gulf Hagas - "the Grand Canyon of Maine"
  • Stay in cozy cabins and enjoy hot-cooked meals

Activities

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be capable of hiking up to 10 miles while carrying a daypack that weighs 10-15 pounds on trails with elevation gains/losses of up to 1,300'. Trails will include some steep sections, rocky terrain, slippery roots, manmade wooden bridges and exposure. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your overall enjoyment is your overall fitness level.

  • Hiking

What's Included

Five nights rustic cabin accommodations; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; professional guide(s); roundtrip transportation from/to our meet location; all park entry & permit fees.

Accommodations

Rustic cabins, 5 nights

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Maine Hiking - 100-Mile Wilderness - Lodge Based
Day 1

Meet in Bangor, Maine and head off to the 100-Mile Wilderness

We meet our hiking companions and guides at our host hotel in Bangor, Maine, early this afternoon. After a round of introductions, we transfer to the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) office in Greenville where we stretch our legs before the final transfer to Medawisla Lodge set on the shore of a pristine pond in the 100-Mile Wilderness region. The 100-Mile Wilderness is a 750,000-acre expanse of forests and mountains, lakes and ponds, and rivers and streams, ranging roughly from the town of Monson to the West Branch of the Penobscot River. We have time to settle into our cabins and explore the grounds before meeting up for dinner in the lodge dining room. Enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal at a Maine-made modern farmhouse table. Dinner included.

Transfer: 2.5 hours

Day 2

Summit Shaw Mountain for views of Mount Katahdin

Early morning risers won't want to miss sunrise with views of the mountains over the glass-like pond. We fuel up on a hearty breakfast before heading out for the day's adventure. We begin our hike to the North and Middle Summits of Shaw Mountain via Emmit Brook Trail, which meanders through hardwood forests alongside a pristine stream. Then we connect to Shaw Mountain Trail which climbs to a sub-alpine habitat. The Middle Summit provides amazing views of Mount Katahdin which is the highest mountain in Maine at 5,269 feet. We return to the lodge in the afternoon with time to enjoy fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, or canoeing. Enjoy a waterfront campfire after dinner. All meals included.

Hiking: 7 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 1,300'. Terrain: Moderate trail with some rocks and roots; Optional (on own): Paddling (kayak, canoe, SUP), fishing. Note: fishing license and equipment not provided.

Day 3

Henderson Brook Trail to the Appalachian Trail

Today we say goodbye to Medawisla Lodge and hit road to our next lodge, Gorman-Chairback. Today we hike the Henderson Brook Trail which winds through a gorge  just east of Long Pond. We hike along a quiet brook until reaching the Appalachian Trail and then continue to East Chairback Pond with a beautiful view. We end our hike at the lodge in afternoon with ample time to be sure to take advantage of some water sports, or nestle into our cozy cabin. Dinner is sure to be a treat with a campfire and star gazing to end our day. All meals included.

Hiking: 6 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 1,200'; Terrain: Moderate trail with some rocks and roots; Optional (on own): Paddling (kayak, canoe, SUP), fishing. Note: fishing license and equipment not provided. Transfer: 1.5 hours.

Day 4

Gulf Hagas and waterfalls galore

Packing up our sack lunches after breakfast, we head out on the trail to Gulf Hagas, known as the "Grand Canyon of Maine". Gulf Hagas is a deep, rocky gorge in the Moosehead Lake region. The vertically walled, slate gorge is more than 4 miles long and features four waterfalls. We carefully navigate the technical, rocky trail along the rim of the gorge, stopping to take in the stunning views of the falls and the gorge's fascinating geological formations. The wooded trail is part of the Appalachian Trail, and the gorge is a National Natural Landmark. Back at the lodge, enjoy downtime, a visit to the wood fired sauna or various water activities like fishing for land-locked salmon and brook trout or kayaking before another homemade dinner in the lodge. All meals included.

Hiking: 7-11 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 500-1000'; Terrain: Rocky and steep in places with potentially slippery conditions. Optional (on own): Paddling (kayak, canoe, SUP), fishing. Note: fishing license and equipment not provided.

Day 5

Third Mountain and Gorman Loop Trail

Today's hike starts right outside our cabins. It is a beautiful loop that covers 7 miles of rugged Maine terrain over Third Mountain. The Third Mountain Trail is a blue-blazed trail crossing several streams with fantastic wooden bridges, and some wet areas with bog bridges. We gain elevation slowly over some switchbacks with viewpoints of the mountains and ponds along the way. Hardwood and softwood forests, beaver bogs, a section of the Appalachian trail and old logging roads are features of this hike. Our hike ends back at the lodge. Enjoy downtime and or various activities like fishing for land-locked salmon and brook trout or kayaking before another homemade dinner in the lodge. All meals included.

Hiking: 7 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 1,000'; Terrain: Moderate terrain with areas of rocks and possibly mud. Optional (on own): Paddling (kayak, canoe, SUP), fishing. Note: fishing license and equipment not provided.

Day 6

Goodbye 100-Mile Wilderness

Savor one last sunrise over the pond and a home-cooked breakfast before heading back to Bangor. We plan to arrive early this afternoon. Breakfast included.

Transfer: 2.5 hours

Itinerary map for Maine Hiking - 100-Mile Wilderness - Lodge Based

Gear List

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

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Travel documents

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Trip specifics may change over time. Reviews reflect the version of the trip that was active at the time the reviewer took it. Please review the itinerary as described above and call our team for any additional details.