Sarah Holman, Registered Maine Guide & Wilderness First Responder
From Southern Maine’s mini mountain (Bradbury) to Baxter’s wild beast (Katahdin) and everything in between, I will be there to help you plan, hike, and safely complete your adventure. While Maine is my home, I also travel regularly to New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Vermont’s five 4000′ peaks.
Day hikes, camping overnights, and multi-day backpacking trips are offered and rental gear is available at a low cost through a partnership with Maine GearShare.
Custom trips are available.
Trip Planning Services
Don’t need a guide but want some help planning an amazing outdoor adventure in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont? I can help! From navigating the rules entering Baxter State park to planning a multi-day trip to finding a family-friendly hike in the Portland area, I’ve got the information you need to make trip planning a breeze (and if I don’t have it, I know where to find it!) Cost varies depending on the trip, email to schedule a free 15 minute consultation.
Guided Fall & Winter Hiking
Winter on the Bigelow range.
Hiking during New England’s colder months is a great way to stay active as the temperature drops. The trails are peaceful, restorative, and much less busy. Cold weather hiking also requires special considerations for safety and a much slower pace. Find more details about winter hiking, click here.
Guided day hikes range in distance from two to six miles, depending on your experience and interest. For new winter hikers, I usually start with Bradbury Mountain or Pleasant Mountain. Options are also available in the White Mountains and other parts of Maine. Rates range from $250-$400 per person depending on distance and location.
Hiking with Sarah was an absolute delight. She took the guesswork out of everything – helped us figure out what clothing to wear based on the weather, what gear to bring based on the hiking conditions, which trails to take based on our interests and skill level. She’s easy to talk to, highly knowledgeable, incredibly kind, and just one of those humans who are fun to be around. Spending a day on a mountain with Sarah is a five-star experience!
– Kate E, Yarmouth, ME
100 Mile Wilderness
Trail sign in the 100 Mile Wilderness
A bucket list item for many hikers, the 100 Mile Wilderness is the longest remote stretch of the entire Appalachian Trail. It begins in Monson, Maine and ends at the Golden Road, at the boundary of Baxter State park. It is challenging, peaceful, beautiful, and incredibly rewarding. You will pass pristine lakes, travel along streams and rivers, see amazing geological features, and experience views of the Maine wilderness seen by very few people.
On average, this hike takes between 7-10 days. The trip can be extended 2 days to include summiting Mt Katahdin (additional fee applies).
Cost: starting at $4000 per person (does not include transportation or accommodations in Maine). Contact me to discuss potential dates.
Mount Katahdin
Summit of Katahdin, Knife’s Edge
This wild, rugged mountain is the tallest peak in Maine and located in Baxter State Park. There are multiple trail options to reach the summit of Baxter Peak and neighboring Hamlin Peak. While some trails are easier than others, none are easy. This hike is hard no matter which way you go, and the payoff at the top is worth every step. Hiking Katahdin requires more planning than most hikes due to the requirements of entry to Baxter State Park. Maine residents have earlier access to trailhead parking, so plan ahead for your summer ascent by contacting me now!
Cost: starting at $500 for private trips, starting at $450 per person for groups
As soon as I discovered the website She Hikes Mountains, I knew I had found the perfect person to guide my brother and me back up Mt Katahdin. The trails and peaks I saw in Sarah’s pictures were impressive, but more importantly I recognized a deep passion and even greater respect for hiking and nature. I was convinced that my journey back to Maine and the Appalachian Trail would be best served with the guidance of Sarah Holman.
Climbing the tallest mountain in Maine is a real challenge, and I knew it would require serious preparation. From our very first correspondence, I noticed in Sarah the attention to detail and focus on planning and safety that assured me I would be hiking Mt Katahdin with a real professional.
Sarah led the way for literally every step of our journey to the summit, and carefully guided us back down to complete the 10 mile and 10 hour hike. She knew each section of the mountain in detail, every ridge and ledge that offered a grip or foothold to carry us across. Her instruction and guidance were crucial. Everything from hydration, nutrition, to overall positive mental attitude, it was all paramount to our success. Her expertise and knowledge of hiking and mountains is unmatched.
I cannot say enough about her leadership, strength and confidence as a hiking guide. Sarah is the consummate professional, and I highly recommend enlisting her to guide you on your next hike in the White Mountains, Appalachian Trail, or beyond.
-Wells W, New York, NY
New England’s 4000 footers
Summit of Mt. Washington
There are 67 mountains over 4000 feet in elevation in New England. Well, there are a lot more, but there are 67 that qualify for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s list. Some are easily accessible with well marked trails and others are pretty remote. I offer guided trips up all 67 peaks, including day trips and multi-day outings with camping in between for those traveling a long distance or wanting to check a few off the list at once. In many cases, multiple peaks can be covered in one hike. Check out my 4000 Foot Hikes page to read about each peak and multi-summit hikes, and contact me to start planning!
Cost: starting at $400 for private trips, starting at $350 per person for groups
Bradbury Mountain Adventure
Summit of Bradbury Mtn
Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal is less than a half-hour from downtown Portland, making it the closest mountain to the city. Exploring the park is a great way for visitors (and locals!) to see a different side of southern Maine. Trails meander through the woods, ranging in distance and difficulty, and the view from the top of Bradbury Mountain is lovely. 1-3 mile hikes are available and include plant and animal identification and fun Maine facts. As a long-time resident of Portland, I can also help you plan other activities in the area, including food, sights, museums, shopping, breweries, and family-friendly outings. Let’s chat!
Cost: starting at $200 for private trips, starting at $150 per person for groups
Mount Agamenticus Views
Mt. A trail maps!
This southernmost peak in York, Maine, is technically a monadnock – a small mountain that rises abruptly from surrounding level ground. At 692 ft, Mt. A is historically significant as a landmark for sailors approaching from the Atlantic. From the top, visitors can see the Mt. Washington, Casco Bay, many Maine islands, and (some say) even the skyscrapers of Boston on a perfectly clear day. The extensive trail system here offers hikes ranging from 2 miles to well over 8 miles. The summit hike can completed in as little as 2 hours. This is a great way to see southern Maine from a different view! Let’s chat!
Cost: starting at $250 for private trips, starting at $200 per person for groups
Pleasant Mountain Fire Tower Hike
Fire tower at summit of Pleasant Mtn
A trip up Pleasant Mountain is a wonderful way to spend a day outside! The views are incredible during the climb and at the summit. This hike is also a fantastic next step for new hikers – it is harder than Bradbury but easier and closer than most mountains in western Maine or the Whites. At just over an hour drive from Portland, Pleasant offers ‘big-peak’ views and some tougher terrain without the challenges of alpine zone exposure found at higher elevations. There are four trail options to reach the 2006′ summit, ranging in distance from 3.6 to 5.8 miles. We’ll choose the trail that best fits your goals and abilities! Reach out today!
Cost: starting at $300 for private trips, starting at $250 per person for groups
Intro to Backpacking
Grafton Loop Trail backpacking trip
Are you an experienced day hiker who’s ready to spend a night (or 2, or 3) in the woods? I was fortunate enough to have a friend (an AT thru hiker) show me the ropes on my first backpacking trip, and I’m excited to share that knowledge with other hikers. Backpacking requires careful packing to manage weight—you don’t want to carry anything you won’t absolutely need (except first aid supplies). There are also important things to consider when choosing a spot to camp for the night, mapping distances, estimating caloric needs, and refilling water.
Join me for an informative, safe overnight adventure!
We’ll meet at the Grafton Loop Trailhead on Rt 26 in Newry, Maine at noon on the first day of our trip. After reviewing gear and packing, we’ll hike 4.5 miles to the Stewart Tentsite. After a night in the woods, we’ll hike to the summit of Puzzle Mountain, around Woodsum Spur, and back to the trailhead to finish our 5.5 mile day by midafternoon! This is a perfect trip for anyone who wants to dip a toe in the backpacking experience without covering a lot of miles or difficult terrain.
Cost: starting at $750 for private trips, starting at $600 per person for groups This trip cost includes a trail dinner & breakfast (pack your snacks!) Email me to learn more!
The Grafton Loop has incredibly diverse terrain, from challenging scrambles to easy woods walking, many tentsites, and plenty of water. There are seven peaks along the way and wonderful views. This trip is best for experienced day hikers or backpackers looking to increase endurance or train for a longer backpacking adventure.
Cost: starting at $2000 for private trips, starting at $1600 per person for groups
Looking for more than one night but not ready for three? This hike is the right choice! Experience long miles, beautiful views, and significant elevation gain in a remote stretch of woods. The last day is shorter and we’ll be finishing up in time for lunch in town! This trip is best for fit hikers who can cover 8-10 miles a day carrying a 25-35 pound pack. **This can also be done as a one-day long distance hike. Experienced hikers only, 12-14 hours.
Cost: starting at $1500 for private trips, starting at $1200 per person for groups
I can provide high quality backpacking rental equipment at a very low cost through a partnership with Maine GearShare, so you won’t have to purchase a ton of equipment before you give backpacking a try.
