Saddleback Mountain and The Horn via Appalachian Trail is a 6.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Rangeley, Maine that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
No permits or fees are required here.
From Route 4, 38 miles north of the town of Farmington, ME look for signs for the ski resort. Make a right on Dallas Hill Road just before you get to the town of Rangeley.
February 17, 2021February 7, 2021Uphill access to Saddleback is fantastic. If going in winter, get an uphill pass from the base for $15. Trail is amazing... sweet, winding trail through the trees. Very mellow ascent. The Horn is deceiving and whooped my butt! Be prepared for near 9 miles if you out and back with the Horn.
February 6, 2021Definitely need snowshoes! The snow is deep and the woods are beautiful.
January 30, 2021January 11, 2021Lost a dark green women’s arcteryx jacket on the trail 2 weeks ago! Still frantically searching for it, if found would definitely be happy to reward. Thanks!
January 9, 2021just a quick walk, packed by snowshoes. just booted.
November 29, 2020Hiking it tomorrow from Saddleback ski resort. I’ve hiked in from the Rte 4 side before & I agree about Moose on the Loose! I Arrived late 1am & slept in my truck to hike in at daylight. I saw/almost hit 13 Moose total on rte 4 between midnite and 1am. It’s the height of land and apparently their hangout! It Was insane. I’ve seen that many deer in a single field - but never more than 3 Moose anywhere else in an area. Was awesome but crazy driving in to finally some sleep after a long late drive!!
November 10, 2020November 8, 2020My girl's first 4k. Ski resort route; no horn. Excellent weather!
October 31, 2020October 23, 2020Trail up the Grey Ghost ski trail was not fun. It was poorly marked at the base, and with all the construction, vehicle tracks and road crossings, it was hard to tell where it was. The gravel was loose and muddy on the slope and construction work noisy. Signs say “Uphill Access” are the ones to follow. Once you get near the top of Saddleback, the very end of trail finally enters a natural forested Alpine environment which was very cool. It was completely clouded in with precipitation and high, cold winds so didn’t go to The Horn. I’d like to make the hike to The Horn because it sounds like the best part with great views and Alpine ecosystem, but not looking forward to going up the ski slope again. Pretty views of Rangeley Lake coming down, and hiking poles helpful on the loose gravel.
October 4, 2020Great hike, beautiful views, some small scrambles, take some caution if the rocks are wet. Easy to navigate, after you hike up the Ski Resort you are on the Appalachian Trail for the rest of the route which is marked. I liked the variety in the terrain on this trail, keeps thing interesting. A little short for me personally at 6.3 miles so you might want to plan something else for afterwards.
October 4, 2020Saddleback and the horn is one of the best hikes in Maine. It’s also the 3rd largest alpine zone in Maine. The flora above treeline is very rare and fragile, 5-6 footprints can kill 80% of it and it takes 20+ years to bounce back. Please be mindful and don’t love this place to death. Leashing dogs is REQUIRED above treeline.
October 4, 2020October 3, 2020Wonderful views once you get past the the ski slopes, they’re tough, but keep pushing. We began early, at 9 with mostly cloudy weather. By the time we got to the summit of saddleback it was a white out, cold and misty. We ventured to the horn and it amplified the hike by ten fold, not to mention the fog completely lifted. The hike became SO fun, the terrain changed from rocks, swamp, boulders, to thick Forest. And the sky opened up and we got the 360 views constantly on our ridge walk to the horn. The initial hike of saddleback can be a bit tedious, but there are good views at the top. Do yourself the favor and make this a full day trip and go to the horn.
October 3, 2020Didn’t continue to Jr. due to poor weather at summit but great hike
September 28, 2020Great hike! Like below, the ski slopes are the most rigorous part, the rest is a more fun. Colors were peak last weekend- get out there! Took us almost 5 hours to reach the horn and back- it’s a long hike.
September 25, 2020This is a beautiful mountain. If the weather had been better I could have seen much more from the ridge. The trail up this ski slope kind of sucks. Hard to find at the start and not clear where the trail started again once over a crossing trail/road. Beyond the highest chair lift the trail is off to the right and takes you up to the AT. Then head Left (north) to the summit. The trip over to the Horn was much more fun. Lots of scrambles with most of the trail above tree line.
September 25, 2020Steep start up the ski trail. At least there’s a good “goat path” to follow. Coming down was brutal on the knees.
September 23, 2020September 19, 2020September 17, 2020The ski slope part honestly sucks, straight up and mentally not fun but the rest is awesome. The peak is a five star and crossing over to the Horn is really cool. But be ware on the way back. Once we were back to Saddleback peak we followed the white trail markings onto another trail and had to turn around which made a fun 8 mile hike instead -_- there was an empty pole there that I assume USED to tell you which trails to follow back down to the ski slope. Worth it and ended up getting sunset on the way down but Next time we’ll do Berry picker trail instead.
September 15, 2020September 15, 2020beautiful views . awesome trail
September 13, 2020September 10, 2020I wasn’t super excited for this route but was very pleasantly surprised. Hiking up the ski resort part of the trail is pretty steep and the worst part of the route, if I’m being honest. Once on the ridge and on a real trail, the route is much more fun & enjoyable. Just under 1.5 hours to the summit of Saddleback. Great views! From there, the ridge to the Horn is super fun. Great ridge walk with spectacular views. One hour from Saddleback to the Horn - 1.7 miles. Returning back over Saddleback went quicker - 50 minutes back to the Saddleback summit. It was then super quick and easy going down the ski trail - from Saddleback summit to car in 38 minutes!! Bring poles as they’re super helpful on that part of the descent.
