Lodge-to-Lodge Skiing:
Medawisla, Lyford & Gorman
A 4-Day Winter Adventure in the Maine Woods
The ultimate AMC lodge-to-lodge ski adventure, this trip connects all three of AMC's unique backcountry lodges in Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness and is the longest and most challenging option. Explore the snowy, breathtaking beauty of the Maine woods on miles of uninterrupted trail by ski, snowshoe, or fatbike, and let AMC take care of the rest.
Itinerary Overview
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Difficulty: Moderate – ideal for intermediate skiers
Season: January–March
Lodging: Rustic cabins at Medawisla, Little Lyford and Gorman Chairback Lodges
Book Your Adventure
Trip Highlights
- Explore AMC's Maine Woods conservation land by ski, snowshoe, or fatbike on a well-marked trail system that spans 130 miles (200 km), 98 miles (150 km) of which are groomed daily by PistenBully®, tractor, & snowmobile
- Eat hearty home-cooked meals at AMC lodges with all-inclusive, family-style dining
- Relax after your day of adventure in a wood-fired sauna
- Sleep in a heated private cabin or shared bunkhouse (dog friendly lodging is available!)
- Stargaze in the Northeast's only International Dark Sky Park
- A complimentary gear shuttle transports your luggage between lodges so you can explore with just a daypack
- Interactive trail maps for planning with daily updated trail conditions so you know what to expect
Medawisla, Lyford & Gorman Itinerary
Day 1: Pre-trip Day at Medawisla Lodge & Cabins
Before you hit the trail, park your car at AMC’s Winter Parking Lot, ensuring your vehicle is waiting for you at journey’s end. Our partners at Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville can shuttle you from the parking lot to Medawisla Lodge. Reservations are required — contact AMC’s Service Center at least two weeks in advance to book.
Once you arrive at Medawisla, settle into your cabin and enjoy a family-style dinner prepared by AMC’s talented kitchen crew. Before bed, don't forget to step outside and look up — AMC’s Maine Woods are a certified International Dark Sky Park, the first in New England. Here, you’ll find world-class stargazing and a reminder of why protecting this landscape matters.
Day 2: Medawisla to Little Lyford Lodge & Cabins (17 miles)
Your first full day is the longest mileage (17 mi/27.4 km), but the journey is almost entirely on flat, groomed trails — the miles will fly by! Starting near Medawisla, the well-marked Lodge-to-Lodge Trail winds through rolling forest terrain, frozen brooks and quiet glades, connecting each AMC camp. You can access the trail from Medawisla parking lot along the Emmit Brook Trail or Smithtown Road. For the final miles of the trip, the Lodge-to-Lodge Trail changes names to the Pleasant River Trail. The East Side Road is also a common option.
Note that the final 1.4 miles (2.25 km) to Little Lyford, whether you take the Pleasant River Trail or East Side Road, are rated as “intermediate.” For a slightly longer way that’s rated “easy,” you can loop around the Little Lyford Ponds on the Brook Trail and Upper Valley Road.
Arrive at Little Lyford Lodge by mid-afternoon and warm up by the fire before a well-earned dinner and sauna.
Want to shorten your mileage? Stop overnight at West Branch Pond Camps — an on-trail lodge not operated by AMC but conveniently located mid-route.
Day 3: Little Lyford to Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins (6.5 miles)
After a big first day, enjoy a relaxed morning at Little Lyford. Sleep in, savor breakfast, and grab your trail lunch for the scenic 6.5-mile (10.5 km) ski to Gorman Chairback Lodge.
The Lodge-to-Lodge Trail continues through quiet forest corridors with varied terrain — parts of this trail are rated "Intermediate." Skiers seeking more adventure can detour to Gulf Hagas, the “Grand Canyon of Maine,” via the ungroomed Head of the Gulf Trail. Ask AMC staff for current trail conditions before heading out.
Arrive at Gorman Chairback Lodge, perched on the shores of Long Pond, in the mid-afternoon. Enjoy a wood-fired sauna, then gather for a communal dinner with fellow travelers.
Day 4: Gorman Chairback Lodge to the Winter Parking Lot (6.7 miles)
Your final day of skiing begins with breakfast in the lodge, and then you have two route options back to your car:
- Direct Route (6.7 mi/10.8 km): Lower Gorman Lodge Trail → Long Pond Road → Upper Gorman Lodge Trail → KI Road to the Winter Parking Lot.
- Scenic Route (8 mi/12.8 km): Long Pond Trail → Trout Brook Trail → KI Road. This option traces the shoreline of Long Pond and offers breathtaking winter views.
Both routes are groomed and well-marked. Once you reach the Winter Parking Lot, you'll have completed a classic AMC lodge-to-lodge experience—one that blends outdoor adventure, community, and winter solitude in one of the Northeast’s most extraordinary landscapes.
Where You'll Stay
Medawisla Lodge & Cabins
Medawisla Lodge & Cabins, the newest of AMC’s Maine Wilderness lodges, sits on the quiet shores of Second Roach Pond and serves as a welcoming gateway to the 100-Mile Wilderness. Guests enjoy private cabins and bunkhouses heated by woodstoves, a modern central lodge near the lake, and direct access to a mix of groomed ski routes and backcountry trails ideal for winter exploration. With hearty, home-cooked meals, gear shuttle service, and a peaceful waterfront setting, Medawisla offers a comfortable and scenic base for the start—or finish—of your lodge-to-lodge journey. Linens and towels are provided here in winter, making it an easy and convenient launching point for your adventure.
Little Lyford Lodge & Cabins
A beloved historic wilderness destination for more than 140 years, Little Lyford offers rustic cabins, a central bathhouse with hot showers, and access to an extensive groomed trail network. With direct access to destinations like Gulf Hagas and Indian Mountain’s Laurie’s Ledge, Little Lyford is a favorite base for winter exploration. Cabins are woodstove heated, and guests supply their own sleeping bags or linens and towels.
Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins
Gorman Chairback Lodge, Est. 1867, sits lakeside in the heart of the 100-Mile Wilderness and provides cozy cabins heated by woodstoves, a central lodge for meals and gathering, and access to groomed trails. Winter stays include nightly sauna sessions and gear shuttle service. Cabins do not have electricity; charging is available in the lodge. Guests must bring their own linens and towels for winter visits.
Getting Here
Medawisla Lodge is accessible by car year-round, but Little Lyford and Gorman Chairback are ski-in only during winter. All trips begin at the AMC 100-Mile Wilderness Winter Parking Lot, located 11 miles up the Katahdin Iron Works Road from Greenville, Maine.
Travel Tips
- Plan for a 5–6 hour drive from Boston.
- Greenville is your last stop for gas, groceries, and gear rentals.
- Arrive before 2:00 p.m. to ensure your luggage can be shuttled in by snowmobile.
- Download directions in advance — cell coverage is limited.
- Contact AMC at (603) 466-2727 for up-to-date road conditions
Resources & FAQs
Use our trip planning resources, watch the video to learn about AMC's winter trail system, and expand the sections below to find answers to common questions about visiting the Maine Woods in winter.
AMC works with a local outfitter to shuttle you to the trailhead, allowing you to leave your car at the end of your lodge-to-lodge trip. Reservations for this service are required and should be made through the AMC Contact Service Center at least two weeks prior to arrival. The meeting location for car shuttles is at Northwoods Outfitters, and the shuttle will follow you to the location where you will leave your car and then drive you to the trailhead to start your adventure.
Either way is ok. We offer a car shuttle that allows you ski in either direction, so you can leave your car at the last stop on your trip and shuttle to the start. AMC’s Contact Service Center will help coordinate timing when you make a shuttle reservation (reservations are required for this service).
Our groomed trails are ideal for Nordic skis and snowshoes. If you are planning to ski lodge to lodge, you can travel on groomed trails the whole way on Nordic skis. Track is set where terrain allows. Please check our Weather Conditions and Trail Information page.
Northwoods Outfitters, in Greenville, Maine, offers skis, snowshoes, and more for rent, plus any last-minute gear items, clothing, or gifts. Reserve equipment by calling 1-866-223-1380.
Trails are groomed as conditions allow. Track is set as terrain allows. Please check our Weather Conditions and Trail Information page for up-to-date trail information. During your stay, lodges will post updated trail information. Please be sure to take a paper copy of a map. Cell reception is unreliable in the North Maine Woods.
Greenville, Maine is your last chance to top off your fuel tank, charge your EV, and purchase food or other last-minute items.
Break-ins at the lot are rare. We do not have any lights or surveillance in the lot, and it is remote. We recommend following standard protocols: remove or hide any valuables in your car and always be sure to lock your car. Store car keys in your day pack.
Variable. We advise you stay on the main roads. Once you depart Greenville, all-wheel drive or a vehicle with studded winter tires and clearance are highly recommended. Lodge access roads are remote with few cars traveling along them. Be sure you have a full tank of gas/charge, a snow shovel, and jumper cables. After a snow storm the parking areas will be plowed as conditions allow, but be prepared to shovel your car out.
It is unreliable. We recommend downloading and printing driving directions prior to your departure.
If you are not leaving Greenville by 12 p.m., call the lodge manager and inform them of your timeline.
With advance planning, custom gear or people shuttles may be possible. Extras fees and reservations are required.
Generally speaking, no. There are some areas where there is limited reception. However, guests should not plan on being able to make or receive calls. Guests can use the lodge phones to make or receive emergency calls.
The main lodges have standard outlets where guests can charge devices. Medawisla’s cabins all have electricity.
Each lodge offers a small selection of items including t-shirts and sweatshirts, books and maps, and toiletries.
For cabins that do not have a private bath, the shower/bath houses are centrally located and are a very short walk from your cabin. Bring a headlamp or flashlight for nighttime visits as paths are unlit.
Guests are welcome to enjoy a fire in the woodstove when temperatures are cool. Cabins have woodstoves and wall-mounted propane lights (electric at Medawisla). Staff can provide instruction on how to light and load the stoves. There is plenty of dry wood to keep you comfortable.
Yes! Reservations are required for dogs, and you must be booked at a dog-friendly cabin. Rates are determined per dog, per night. Be sure to clean up after your dog throughout your stay, and dogs should always be under voice command or leashed. Be sure your dog can handle the mileage required in various conditions while out on the trails. Dogs should be up to date on vaccinations.