One long-distance hiker has ticked off the final miles of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT), the extended route that carries on beyond the Appalachian Trail's traditional terminus at Mount Katahdin in Maine, through eastern Canada and out to Newfoundland. Writing in week nine of a bigger mission — an 'Eastern Continental Trail' push that will eventually continue down the Appalachian Trail toward Georgia — they hiked roughly 20 miles into Millinocket, racing a 4pm post-office deadline for a resupply box sent by their parents.
The verdict on the IAT is refreshingly honest. The hiker calls it their least favourite completed trail: endless road walking, swampy sections and patchy marking, with a finale at an unremarkable three-road junction marked only by a single blaze. The big exception is Quebec, which they rate highly for its trail quality, huts, national parks and food — they recommend the roughly 400-mile Quebec section to anyone wanting a taste of Canada on foot. What they will miss is the maritime stretch: icebergs drifting past in Newfoundland, lobster traps piled by the roadside, fishing boats and a steady diet of seafood.
After an odd 14-mile gap of unmarked no-man's land between the two trails, they reached Baxter State Park and climbed Katahdin via its quieter back side, crossing the Knife's Edge in a full whiteout — one short section required a steep climb with a single exposed rock move. They tagged Hamlin Peak and North Brother as side quests, then entered the famous 100 Mile Wilderness, sleeping at Hurd Brook Lean-to after a moose encounter (a protective cow staring them down behind her nervous calf) en route.
Their take on the 100 Mile Wilderness may surprise daydreamers: despite the name, it's busier than expected, crossed by active logging roads, and served by hostels offering slackpacking and even ten-day bed-and-meal packages. Add a campsite mouse that chewed a Butterfingers wrapper, and the 'pristine' myth takes a knock. Still, they found Maine gorgeous — moss, mushrooms, lakes and wild blueberries at every summit — and they are now heading south on the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail proper.
For travellers, this is a useful reality check on two bucket-list routes. The IAT works best as a Quebec-only trip, while Katahdin and the 100 Mile Wilderness are very doable as a standalone Maine adventure if you know what you're signing up for.
