Marston Trail

Marston Trail is a designated hiking route in Baxter State Park built for long day hikes and route loops. It’s managed by the Baxter State Park Authority and sits in the Park Tote Road / Nesowadnehunk area, with the trail blazed on approach and used as the main access corridor toward the Brothers (North and South) and Mount Coe. A common use is combining it with nearby trails to summit multiple peaks rather than hiking a simple single-purpose out-and-back.

From the Park Tote Road, the trail climbs steadily into forested terrain and repeatedly crosses and recrosses a brook as it gains elevation. The ascent continues toward the Mount Coe junctions; from there, the Marston Trail becomes the link that feeds into the Mount Coe/Brothers options. Expect the route to feel consistently uphill, with steeper climbing appearing as you work toward the ridge and summit country.

Near the core of the route network, Marston Trail provides the connection up to the Brothers and back down to link into the wider loop possibilities around Mount Coe. For peakbagging style outings, one frequently used pattern is hiking the Marston Trail up to North Brother as an out-and-back before returning, or incorporating Marston Trail into a longer Mount Coe & Brothers loop.

In terms of length, a full out-and-back to North Brother via the Marston Trail is about 9.2–10.5 miles total. If you’re building a loop, a segment of Marston Trail can be combined with the Mount Coe Trail for a loop option that’s about 3.1 miles as part of that combined itinerary (with other trail legs making up the full day distance).

The trail is treated as backcountry hiking, not an all-season shortcut: it’s specifically known for winter conditions with extremely deep snow that can cover the canopy, which raises the navigation skill requirement. That seasonal reality matters for planning, gear, and timing if you hike in colder months.

Maintenance and sustainability work has been ongoing on Marston Trail. Over multiple years, the Maine Conservation Corps has rehabilitated sections of the trail to improve durability and sustainability, including work relocating segments that had become unsustainable over time.

Because Baxter State Park is tightly managed, plan around park logistics that affect Marston Trail hiking: entrance registration is required when entering the park, camping is by reservation, groups have a maximum size limit, and pet access is restricted (service animals excepted). For longer route days, carry in/carry out trash and follow human-waste rules where toilets aren’t available (burial at least 200 feet from water and trails or carried out).

More information: Conditions, Conditions, Map