Welcome to Maine, where the lobsters are plentiful and a few of the hiking trails can send you into existential dread.
If you’re eager to elevate your heart rate without visiting a seafood shack, join us as we explore the five most dangerous hikes in the Pine Tree State.
Strap on your boots, check your life insurance, and let’s get the adrenaline pumping!
Precipice Trail (Acadia National Park)
The Precipice Trail is essentially a vertical obstacle course. If you have a fear of heights, this one ain’t for you.
This isn’t just a hike, it’s an upper body workout that will have you scaling rocks, gripping iron rungs, and clutching at rope railings as you ascend cliffsides.
The thrill of conquering this beast is unparalleled, as evidenced by countless breathless TripAdvisor reviews warning that going down is even scarier than going up.
Remember, despite the name, this is not a Disneyland ride, but it will give your adrenal glands a run for their money!
Knife’s Edge, Mt. Katahdin (Baxter State Park)
Straddling the crest of Maine’s highest peak, Knife’s Edge is more than just a trail; it’s a rite of passage for thrill-seekers.
With a mere two feet of width in some spots, this hike involves a thrilling ballet of boulder-hopping and tightrope-walking along steep ledges.
It’s not for the faint-hearted or those with a dislike for heights, as it offers regular doses of vertigo.
The trail can be a no-go zone, closed off due to lethal winds that can hit over 70mph or sudden blankets of ice and snow.
Be sure and check the weather before you go so you aren’t quite literally blown away!
Maiden Cliff (Camden Hill State Park)
Maiden Cliff might be less demanding physically, but it demands absolute respect.
This picturesque trail leads to an 800-foot sheer drop, marked by a poignant 12-foot cross commemorating a young girl’s tragic fall in 1964.
It’s a stark reminder that beauty can be deceptive, and even the easiest trails require your undivided attention.
Perfect for a dramatic selfie, but make sure it’s not your last. After all, this isn’t a spot to lose your focus or, indeed, your footing.
Tumbledown Mountain Loop Trail (Tumbledown Public Lands)
Don’t let the name Tumbledown deceive you – there’s nothing rundown about this mountain’s loop trail.
Not recommended for children or dogs, this hike offers a buffet of natural obstacles from steep climbs to slippery descents.
One of the trail’s more challenging highlights is “the Chimney,” a vertical rock tunnel complete with iron rungs that demands climbers summon their inner spider.
It’s a smorgasbord of adventure with a new surprise around every corner, turning each hiker into a reluctant acrobat.
100 Mile Wilderness (Appalachian Trail)
Welcome to the 100 Mile Wilderness, where your endurance, wilderness skills, and sanity will be tested.
This is the longest stretch of untamed backcountry on the Appalachian Trail, notorious for its lack of civilization.
The dangers? They range from drowning to lightning strikes to simple yet brutal exposure.
But fear not, it’s not all doom and gloom as the breathtaking views of untouched ecosystems, wildlife, and hidden rock caves provide a stunning backdrop to your survival saga.
Bragging rights are included upon completion.