Baker Trail
~11 days · 145.5 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Baker Trail is known for
The Baker Trail runs about 132 miles point-to-point across western Pennsylvania, from Freeport on the Allegheny River north to the Allegheny National Forest, mixing woods trail, forest roads and rural road walking. A string of Adirondack-style shelters supports a 9-12 day thru-hike. The mapped line here cuts corners and reads shorter than the published mileage.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,552 ft to 5,479 ft over 145.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 38.9 mi · 27%
- Downhill 64.0 mi · 44%
- Flat 42.2 mi · 29%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Baker Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Baker Trail scores 40/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Baker Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Baker Trail in about 11 days (10 nights out) over its 145.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Baker Trail?
The Baker Trail climbs roughly 14,810 ft total — about 102 ft per mile, topping out near 1,768 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.