Acadia Hiking Trails

Hike 125 miles of trails over 45,000 acres. You’ll climb over rocky shoreline, past ponds and lakes, and above tree line for views of Mt. Desert Island.

Overview

Hike a steep 1,530-feet up Cadillac Mountain or the flat loop around Jordan Pond. With 125 miles of trails and landscape that ranges from coastal to mountainous, its hard to get bored hiking in Acadia. Check out some of Acadia’s best hikes, below.

Bar Harbor Shore Path
A super easy coastal hike with harbor and island views, perfect for families. Trailhead: Bar Harbor Town Pier

• Distance: 1 mile
• Elevation gain: Level
• Difficulty: Very Easy
• Type of trail: Out and back

Cadillac Summit Loop Trail 
Drive to the top of Acadia’s tallest mountain, then walk this easy yet scenic trail around the summit for views of Frenchman Bay. Trailhead: Drive up Cadillac Mountain Road and park at the Cadillac Summit Parking Lot.

• Distance: .4 miles
• Elevation Gain: Level
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Trail Type: Loop

Wonderland Trail 
At the southern tip of the park, weave between rocky shoreline and evergreen forest on this easy there-and-back hike. Trailhead: Off of Route 102A, one mile south of Seawall Campground.

• Distance: 1.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: Level
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Trail Type: Out and back

Bar Island 
During the three hours when the tide is lowest, this sand bar trail appears out of the water. Take this easy yet fun path to reach the forested Bar Island. But don’t stay long – when the tide comes in, you could be stranded! Trailhead: Bridge Street (off West Street) in Bar Harbor.

• Distance: Varies
• Elevation Gain: Level
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Type: out and back

Great Meadow Loop
Connecting Bar Harbor to Acadia, this path is a short walk from town and goes through mainly flat terrain through forest and meadows. Trailhead: Off Cromwell Harbor Road in Bar Harbor.

• Distance: 2 miles
• Elevation Gain: Level
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Type: Out and back or loop

Ocean Path 
Hike by huge pink granite slabs and check out views of Gorham Mountain, the Beehive, Sand Beach, and Great Head on you way to Otter Cliff. At mile one, stop at Thunder Hole where, when conditions are right (usually after a big storm), water crashing through rocky chasms creates a thunderous boom. Trailhead: Park at Sand Beach , on your left off of the one-way Park Loop Road.

• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Type: Out and back

Ship Harbor Trail 
Hike to pink granite cliffs along the shoreline on this short but beautiful hike. The path is mainly flat but you’ll encounter one moderate hill and the path is often uneven. Trailhead: About five miles South of Southwest Harbor, the trailhead parking lot is off of ME 102A.

• Distance: 1.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: minimal
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Type: loop

Bear Brook Trail – to the top of Champlain Mountain and back
Walk along the open ridge of Champlain Mountain and spend time at the summit taking in expansive views of Frenchman Bay. The hike is uphill, but only moderately steep. Trailhead: Bear Brook Parking Area - 400 feet beyond Beaver Dam Pond – is just South of Bar Harbor off of Park Loop Road.

• Distance: 2.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 850 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Type: out and back

Bubble Rock Trail
Hike through the forest in between the rounded hills of South Bubble and North Bubble to the top of South Bubble with views of Jordan Pond. Trailhead: Bubble Rock Parking Area off of Park Loop Road.

• Distance: 1 mile
• Elevation Gain: 400 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Type: Out and back

Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail 
Hike along granite ledges and out of the trees on an open ascent with beautiful views of Frenchman Bay. Trailhead: North Ridge Trail Parking Area on the Park Loop Road.

• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,130 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Type: Out and back

Jordan Pond Shore Trail 
Skirt the edge of Jordan Pond and you circumnavigate its shores, then stop for lunch at the Jordan Pond House. Trailhead: Jordan Pond Parking Area (not the restaurant parking area).

• Distance: 3.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: Level
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Type: Loop

Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail 
Hike though forest and stop at the Featherbed, a small glacial pond, for a peaceful snack before joining the crowds on the summit. Break through tree line onto open granite for the final stretch. Trailhead: Park along Route 3, five miles south of Bar Harbor. The trailhead is located in the Blackwoods Campground.

• Distance: 7.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,530 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Trail Type: Out and back

Precipice Trail
Spot peregrine falcons as you climb up Iron rungs and ladders on exposed cliffs on this super-steep trail up Champlain Mountain. Trailhead: South end of Long Pond (near Southwest Harbor).

• Distance: 2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 930-feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Trail Type: Loop

Sargent Mountain
Take the Giant Slide Trail to Sargent North Ridge Trail and return on Grandgent Trail to Giant Slide Trail. You’ll encounter a ravine, evergreen forest, and open ledges before you reach the open summit for expansive views. Trailhead: Giant Slide Trailhead on Route 3/198 north of Northeast Harbor.

• Distance: 5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,170-feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Trail Type: Out and back

Notes: Plan ahead by packing water and snacks and grabbing a map at one of Acadia’s visitor centers.