A Hikers Paradise at Acadia

Acadia National Park is one of the most popular and well traveled National Parks in the country. Acadia’s 45 miles of carriage roads might take home most of the parks glory but let’s not be fooled, Acadia is an epic destination for hikers. Acadia Hiking Trails are some of the best routes in all of New England. Mount Desert Island, which Acadia National Park is located on is a large granite rock with wooded forests that hikers trek through and over.

The Island boasts stunning views from mountain summits and easy to difficult terrain so gear and appropriate clothing is a must when venturing out on your hiking journey. From my two visits and many adventures at Acadia National Park I was able to plan and do a handful of hikes so I have put together a list of my favorite hikes that hopefully will help you with your next journey to Acadia.

The Beehive Loop Trail at Acadia

One of the coolest and most difficult hikes in Acadia National Park is the Beehive Loop Trail. This 1.4 mile loop is an incredibly difficult hike and features steep inclines and bouldering to reach the top. The trail starts off the main road that runs parallel to the Ocean Path and the Sand Beach parking area. The hike features steep granite stairs, iron rungs, and a few areas where rock scrambling is necessary. This trail is designed for a challenging route and should not be done by those who are not able sustain steep and difficult terrain.

Most of Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island is granite and Beehive is no different. If you know granite, then you know that good hiking boots or shoes are required for best traction and granite is not to messed with during tines of rain and high precipitation. So be aware as to not do this hike if it is raining.

Jordan Pond Path

The Jordan Pond Path is a 3.5 mile hike around Jordan Pond and is accessible right south of the Jordan Pond House. This trail is rated as easy and is very popular with families and those looking to work off the dinner they scarfed down at the House. The trail offers views of the stunning pond and the mountains that overlook it. The terrain is mostly smooth with little elevation gain for the entire hike. Half of the hike is paved gravel with great viewpoints and side hikes to the shore and the other half is a raised wooden walking path.

If you plan on enjoying the hike in the evening like us, I recommend taking a right and start on the east side of the trail (gravel side) and finish on the west side (wooden paved path) as it is shaded and a great way to cool down from the sunshine and heat.

Valley Peak Trail at Acadia

One of the toughest hikes within Acadia National Park, The Valley Peak Trail is a true test to you hiking ability. This 3.1 mile out and back boasts an elevation gain of 1,200 feet all while trekking over granite rock faces and large tree roots. Valley Peak Trail runs into and intersects with multiple other trails in the area so there is an opportunity to take this hike further if you choose to. This hike is definitely one of the more scenic in the park and offers hikers stunning views of the bay and harbor on multiple occasions throughout the hike.

We took our dogs on this hike and they really enjoyed it. It was one of the lesser trekked hikes that we were able to do during our visit to Acadia. So if you are looking for a challenging dog friendly hike, that will give you some solitude, then this is definitely worth it.

Gorham Mountain Loop

Gotham Mountain Loop is a 3.5 mile moderately rated out and back trail located near the entrance to Sand Beach. The trail starts in the Gorham parking area and offers stunning views of Cadillac Mountain and the rocky coastline in the distance. The trail is relatively uneven and an be difficult for some hikers so be aware of that before venturing out.

2 Route to choose from

The Gotham Mountain Loop Trail offers hikers two options for their hike. You can choose to stay on the Gotham Mountain Loop Trail for the entirety of the 3.5 miles, or you can take a detour and hop on the Cadillac Cliff Trail for .3 miles. This section does not affect the length of the trail but offers sweeping views of the cliffs and challenging areas of granite ladders designed to help with he rock scrambling needed to complete this section of the hike before rejoining the main trail.

The Gorham Mountain Loop is hands down one of the coolest trails in the park.

Cadillac North Ridge Trail

One of Acadia National Parks main features is Cadillac Mountain which offers those willing to make the journey with the first glimpse of the sunrise in the United States. The Cadillac North Ridge Trail is my personal favorite route to the top of Cadillac Mountain. The trail is a 4.5 mile round trip journey that features rocky terrain, uneven footing, woods, and granite slopes. The route is definitely challenging and can be even more difficult before or after rain.

Hopefully Catch an Acadia Sunrise

The Cadillac North Ridge Trail starts in the parking area near Sand Beach and depending on the time of day can be limited parking and very busy. During your journey, the hike gives hikers amazing views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Schoodic Peninsula. Make sure that you dress appropriately and pack lots of water and any gear needed.

I will note that Maine and Acadia is typically foggy in the morning so if you choose to hike this trail to catch the sunrise, there is a strong possibility that you may never see the sun (happened to us twice). However, the hike is great and definitely worth a shot if you enjoy a challenging early morning or late evening hike to start or end your day.

Be sure to check out the 5 Epic Carriage Roads of Acadia National Park here: