Why does this section need extra planning?

It is considered one of the most difficult sections of the Appalachian Trail. Plan conservatively, allow time for slow progress, and choose an itinerary suited to the least experienced member of the group.

Can it be planned as a day hike?

A day-hike plan depends on the approach, conditions, and the group's ability. Confirm access and the full route before deciding. The one-day itinerary is a planning framework, not an assurance that the outing fits everyone's available daylight.

Who manages land in the Mahoosuc Range?

Substantial parts of the range are publicly owned within the National Park Service Appalachian Trail corridor and Maine's Grafton Notch State Park. Confirm the responsible agency for each part of your planned route.

Mahoosuc Notch (AT)

The 'hardest mile on the AT' — a boulder-choked slot under Mahoosuc Arm.

Plan a trip to Mahoosuc Notch (AT)

Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Mahoosuc Notch (AT), Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.

Region: Maine, USA
Country: Worldwide
Biome: Boreal (600–1,200 m)
Best season: July – September
Difficulty: moderate

Known for

Backpacking
Hiking

Key takeaways

Biome: Boreal (600–1,200 m)
Best season: July – September
Difficulty: moderate
Top activity: backpacking

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Photos of Mahoosuc Notch (AT)

Topic summary

The 'hardest mile on the AT' — a boulder-choked slot under Mahoosuc Arm.

Key takeaways

Difficulty: moderate
Best season: July – September

Intended uses

backpacking

Climate suitability

Boreal (600–1,200 m)

Region

Worldwide

Biome

Boreal (600–1,200 m)

Difficulty

moderate

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How to get there

The regional Appalachian Trail corridor runs along the Mahoosuc main ridge between Shelburne, New Hampshire, and Grafton Notch, Maine. Mahoosuc Notch lies in the middle of the range between Mahoosuc Mountain and Fulling Mill Mountain. Confirm the exact trailhead and approach before traveling.

Shelburne, New Hampshire
New Hampshire endpoint of the described Appalachian Trail ridge traverse through the Mahoosucs; a regional planning anchor rather than a specified trailhead for the notch.
Grafton Notch, Maine
Maine endpoint of the described Appalachian Trail ridge traverse. Establish the specific approach to Mahoosuc Notch before using it as a starting point.

Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.

Driving directions ↗Open on a map ↗Plan the drive in the Trip Planner

Popular pursuits at Mahoosuc Notch (AT)

Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.

Animals around Mahoosuc Notch (AT)

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Maps, GPS & compass for this trip

Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.

Waterproof topo maps

GPS picks

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Compass picks

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Fishing at Mahoosuc Notch (AT)

Planning to fish Mahoosuc Notch (AT), Maine? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Maine are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.

Do I need a fishing license at Mahoosuc Notch (AT)?

A Maine fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
Read the current Maine fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.

Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife — official Maine licenses & regulations

The Fishing Guide — species, best times & gear Wild10 fishing guides, knots & lure planner

Hunting near Mahoosuc Notch (AT)

Thinking about hunting Mahoosuc Notch (AT), Maine? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Maine are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.

Is hunting allowed at Mahoosuc Notch (AT)?

Confirm the land around Mahoosuc Notch (AT) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.

What do I need to hunt in Maine?

A Maine hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.

Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife — official Maine licenses & regulations

The Hunting Guide — gear, permits & seasons Wild10 hunting guides & season calendars Best deer hunting broadheads Deer archery season gear list

A demanding cleft on the Appalachian Trail

Mahoosuc Notch cuts a deep cleft through the middle of the Mahoosuc Range, between Mahoosuc Mountain and Fulling Mill Mountain. It is considered one of the most difficult sections of the Appalachian Trail, making the terrain—not simply the destination name—the central consideration when planning a visit. The notch belongs to a larger mountain setting: the Mahoosucs extend north from the White Mountains and straddle the New Hampshire–Maine border. For hikers, the useful distinction is between visiting this particular section and undertaking a longer ridge journey through the range. Either plan should account for the notch’s demanding reputation. Avoid judging the outing by mileage alone, and choose an itinerary that matches the least experienced member of the group.

The notch within the Mahoosuc Range

The Appalachian Trail traverses the main ridge of the Mahoosucs between Shelburne, New Hampshire, and Grafton Notch in Maine. Those two places provide a useful regional frame for understanding where Mahoosuc Notch sits, but they should not be treated as interchangeable starting points for a notch-focused hike. The notch is in the middle of the range, rather than a description of the entire ridge crossing. Elsewhere in the range, Old Speck Mountain reaches 4,170 feet and is Maine’s fifth-highest peak. That broader mountain context matters when choosing the scope of a trip: a visit centered on the cleft and a traverse along the main ridge are different undertakings. Set the objective first, then establish the precise approach and exit before leaving.

Planning around terrain and public lands

Substantial parts of the Mahoosuc Range are publicly owned within the National Park Service Appalachian Trail corridor and Grafton Notch State Park in Maine. This is a landscape with more than one public-land context, so confirm which agency oversees the portions of the itinerary being used. For Mahoosuc Notch itself, the strongest planning cue is its standing as an especially difficult Appalachian Trail section. Allow room in the day for slower progress, carry the clothing and supplies appropriate to a mountain hike, and check weather before setting out. A longer ridge itinerary also calls for a clear exit plan rather than an assumption that reaching the notch completes the outing. Confirm current access arrangements and applicable rules with the managing agency before finalizing plans.

Route options

Mahoosuc Notch Appalachian Trail sectionConsidered one of the most difficult sections of the Appalachian Trail.
Focus the itinerary on the deep cleft between Mahoosuc Mountain and Fulling Mill Mountain. The approach and exit need to be established separately.
Mahoosuc main-ridge Appalachian Trail traverse
A broader ridge itinerary along the Appalachian Trail between Shelburne, New Hampshire, and Grafton Notch, Maine, with Mahoosuc Notch in the middle of the range.

Sample itineraries

Mahoosuc Notch–Focused Hike · 1 day
Plan a focused outing to the Appalachian Trail section through Mahoosuc Notch, between Mahoosuc Mountain and Fulling Mill Mountain. Treat this as a demanding objective, not a casual walk. Confirm an appropriate approach and turnaround plan before committing to a single-day schedule.
Two-Day Mahoosuc AT Section · 2 days
Build a short backpacking itinerary around Mahoosuc Notch and the adjoining Appalachian Trail ridge. Allow generous time for the difficult notch section rather than targeting high mileage. Choose start and finish points and confirm legal overnight options before setting the schedule.

Seasonal conditions

Spring

Spring; verify conditions before departure

For this Maine mountain route, check for lingering winter conditions and wet footing. The notch's difficult terrain makes conservative timing important. Do not assume a spring calendar date means the route is ready for ordinary hiking.

Summer

Summer; choose a suitable weather window

Plan water, weather protection, and extra time for strenuous travel. The Appalachian Trail follows the range's main ridge and passes through the deep notch; assess the forecast for the whole outing, not just the starting point.

Fall

Fall; plan around available daylight

Allow for colder mountain weather and shorter days. Carry warm layers and a headlamp, and set a turnaround time that accounts for slow progress through one of the Appalachian Trail's most difficult sections.

Winter

Winter; assess suitability carefully

Treat this difficult mountain section as a serious winter undertaking. Confirm snow, ice, and weather conditions before choosing equipment or committing to a route. A summer hiking plan should not be assumed suitable for winter.

Season	Window	Conditions
Spring	Spring; verify conditions before departure	For this Maine mountain route, check for lingering winter conditions and wet footing. The notch's difficult terrain makes conservative timing important. Do not assume a spring calendar date means the route is ready for ordinary hiking.
Summer	Summer; choose a suitable weather window	Plan water, weather protection, and extra time for strenuous travel. The Appalachian Trail follows the range's main ridge and passes through the deep notch; assess the forecast for the whole outing, not just the starting point.
Fall	Fall; plan around available daylight	Allow for colder mountain weather and shorter days. Carry warm layers and a headlamp, and set a turnaround time that accounts for slow progress through one of the Appalachian Trail's most difficult sections.
Winter	Winter; assess suitability carefully	Treat this difficult mountain section as a serious winter undertaking. Confirm snow, ice, and weather conditions before choosing equipment or committing to a route. A summer hiking plan should not be assumed suitable for winter.

Permits, fees & closures

Confirm current access requirements, overnight rules, and any permit requirements with the managing agency for your chosen Appalachian Trail section and any Grafton Notch State Park access.

Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.

Hazards & regulations

Mahoosuc Notch is considered one of the Appalachian Trail's most difficult sections; ordinary trail pace is a poor planning assumption.
Fatigue can undermine judgment on a demanding route. Leave enough energy and daylight for the return or onward travel.
Mountain weather can make an already difficult outing more serious. Check the forecast and carry protection against cold and rain.
Poor visibility can complicate navigation along the ridge and through the notch. Carry a map and an offline navigation backup.

What to pack for Mahoosuc Notch (AT)

Navigation and timing

Map covering the planned Appalachian Trail section and approaches
Offline navigation backup
Headlamp with spare power

Mountain weather protection

Rain shell
Insulating layer
Season-appropriate footwear

Self-sufficiency

Water and a replenishment plan
Food with an extra margin for slow travel
First-aid kit
Emergency shelter

Build this list in the gear builder →

Mahoosuc Notch (AT) FAQ

Where is Mahoosuc Notch?: Mahoosuc Notch is in Maine's Mahoosuc Range, between Mahoosuc Mountain and Fulling Mill Mountain. It forms a deep cleft along the Appalachian Trail.
Why does this section need extra planning?: It is considered one of the most difficult sections of the Appalachian Trail. Plan conservatively, allow time for slow progress, and choose an itinerary suited to the least experienced member of the group.
How does the notch fit into the wider Appalachian Trail route?: The Appalachian Trail traverses the main ridge of the Mahoosucs between Shelburne, New Hampshire, and Grafton Notch, Maine. Mahoosuc Notch lies in the middle of the range.
Can it be planned as a day hike?: A day-hike plan depends on the approach, conditions, and the group's ability. Confirm access and the full route before deciding. The one-day itinerary is a planning framework, not an assurance that the outing fits everyone's available daylight.
Who manages land in the Mahoosuc Range?: Substantial parts of the range are publicly owned within the National Park Service Appalachian Trail corridor and Maine's Grafton Notch State Park. Confirm the responsible agency for each part of your planned route.