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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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Acadia National Park better known as the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast” is one of the most popular National Parks in the country with amazing coastline, steep Rocky cliffs, hiking, biking, and water activities. Better yet Acadia is one of the most dog friendly National Parks in the country. There are endless activities and things to do when visiting Acadia and you could probably stay month and not even cover half of what it has to offer. Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island with the historic town of Bar Harbor, one of New Englands coolest towns, just outside of the park limits.
To go along with all that Acadia is home to many wildlife. birds, and whales. Not to mention Cadillac Mountain, the east coasts highest peak. I did not include Cadillac Mountain on the list not because it is not absolutely amazing, but because most people journey to the summit to catch a glimpse at the first sunrise in the United States, but due to Maine being Maine and the fact that it’s almost always cloudy.
We have had the pleasure of visiting Acadia and Bar Harbor twice and have been able to do a lot in those visits. While you can’t really go wrong with anything you plan to do we do have some favorites from our time spent in the park. I put together this list in hopes that maybe someone will find this insightful for their trip to Acadia.
Jordan Pond is one of Acadia’s most beautiful ales and offers visitors sweeping views of the mountains and the crystal clear water below. Jordan Pond is one of the clearest lakes in the country and is a haven for visitors to the park. The lake has a path that runs around the entirety of the lake and offers those willing to make the 3 mile journey some greta views and a good workout at the same time. To access Jordan Pond follow Park loop Road to the Jordan Pond House and park in one of the 3 parking areas to start your journey.
Jordan Pond is 150 feet deep and 187 acres long making it the deepest and second largest lake in Acadia National Park. The lake is a great spot to start your Acadia trip as it is near the intersection of many of the parks carriage roads, you can access the majority of the south eastern part of the park from here. Jordan Pond is also Seal Harbors water source, so swimming and motor boating above 10 horsepower are strictly prohibited and come with a hefty fine if caught in the water.
Access to other hiking in particular the Bubbles Nubble Loop, a 2.6 mile round trip to the North and South Bubbles Summit with views of Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, and more. If you are looking for a bite to eat before or after your hike, check out the Jordan Pond House and their outdoor seating and especially their popovers. A few things to note for your trip rio Jordan Pond is that during the summer months the trail and lake can be pretty busy and parking may be hard to come by so prepare accordingly to avoid an hassle.
Bike the Carriage Roads
One of the best features of Acadia National Park are the 45 miles of carriage roads that the park offers visitors to explore. Originally but of horse and buggies to access difficult parts off the parks, the carriage roads are a popular activity to bring your bikes out and enjoy the beauty of the park. The carriage roads range from easy to difficult and are primarily paved gravel and weave and bend through the mountains and forests of the park.
Some of the best biking on the carriage roads happens around sunset for majestic colors that illuminate the beauty of the lakes and trees. The carriage roads are primarily used for biking for most visitors of the park, but hiking and horseback riding are very common activities and are sure to be encountered on your trip. During winter the carriage roads turn into some of the best ross country skiing in New England. I definitely recommend a mountain bike for the rods and a helmet as the there are steep inclines, declines and narrow and windy turns that one up on you quick in some spots.
Check out our post on our top 5 carriage roads when visiting Acadia National Park here.
Hike the Ocean Path
Acadia’s most popular activity for visitors if the Ocean Path. This 4.4 mile round trip hike graces hikers with amazing coastal views, granite rock faces, rocky cliffs, and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. The trail runs along the coastal cliffs of the park and gives visitors access to Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Point. I highly recommend (time permitting) you make the detours to these detours as they truly are amazing and only a few of the majestic wonders Acadia offers.
As you walk the Ocean Path you’ll notice that about every 50 yards is an outlook with stunning views even better than the last, so no worries if you miss one. Good footwear is highly recommended for the hike as the path features paved and gravel areas but the further you trek the rockier and more uneven the ground becomes. Steep cliffs run the distance of the hike so please be aware of your surroundings especially with children and pets. There are some staircases and paths that leads to the rocky beaches below for you to enjoy some solitude during the hike.
One thing to note is that typically the path is pretty busy especially in the summer and mid day. Parking for the path is located at the upper parking fro Sand Beach and road parking is allowed along the entire route.
Grab some cookies at Hulls Cove General Store in Bar Harbor
One of my favorite stops at Acadia is located nearby Bar Harbor; The Hulls Cove General Store. This traditional general store is cozy, quaint, and has some of the best cookies in the region. No, that’s not an exaggeration, they typically sell hundreds of cookies per day! The store is covered with local signs, Florida State flags and is located directly next to the post office.
Hulls Cove General Store has a wide variety of sandwiches, pizza and their specialty cookies and desserts. The most popular cookie is their Lemon Blueberry cookie and trust me it is absolutely delicious. This place is worth the stop and also has the cheapest gas in town so that is a huge plus these days!
P.s. the owner is a great guy to talk college football with, so the place had me won over pretty early on!
Bar Harbor is filled with great food, local watering holes and plenty of breakfast joints, but Jordan’s Restaurant is our personal favorite. Now I was not aware before journeying to Acadia, but Maine is known for it’s local blueberries and Jordan’s Restaurant does it justice. As for the menu you can’t really go wrong. From the blueberry pancakes to the American breakfast and omelettes it’s all great. My personal favorite is the Pancake Club Special.
The most impressive part about Jordan’s Restaurant is that even when it is very busy (like every time I have been there) they pump the food out and have an incredible system of getting you’re food to you fast. As for the blueberries, they have great blueberry options, blueberry hot sauce among others. With plenty of seating options a wait is not common here even though they are one of the most popular joints in town.
So if you’re looking for a good breakfast to start your day, Jordan’s is your spot.
Trek to Echo Lake
Another amazing hie and area to explore in Acadia National Park is Echo Lake. This 237 acre lake is nestled at the base of Beech Mountain and tucked away in the forests of the park, Echo Lake is a prime spot for hiking, swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Similar to Jordan Pond, motors boats with over 10 horsepower are prohibited from entering the water. The lake features a great beach area for visitors to enjoy some sunshine, sand and fresh water.
Echo Lake according to locals is located on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park so solitude and less crowds are common here. Some of the hies near the lake with access to it are:
Acadia Mountain Loop: 4 mile loop with great views of the lake and the coast to the other side of the island.
Echo Lake is a prime destination for those looking for some peace and to clear their mind while enjoying the many activities this part of the park has to offer.
Enjoy Endless Tapas at Project Social Kitchen & Bar
Bar Harbor has some of the best restaurants in not only Maine but all of New England, and of all these places Project Social Kitchen & Bar takes the cake for us. Project Social specializes in delicious cocktails and tapas plates designed for sharing family style. For me these types of places hit home and are hands down our type of vibe, plus ever since I visited Spain I’ve been mildly obsessed with tapas.
Project Social has indoor seating in a quiet rustic house that take you back in time and outdoor seating with trees, plants, and greenery. We started outside and even though the restaurant is located right off the main drag of Bar Harbor we felt as if we were in the middle of nowhere eating farm to table deliciousness. This is the first place that I ever tried oysters as they are caught locally and they were absolutely delicious.
Let’s be honest, this should be an absolute must when visiting any part of Maine, especially you have a place to stay and cook. Maine is largest producer of lobster in the United States and they do it right. I admit on my last visit to Acadia I ate about 15 lobster rolls during the trip (not ashamed of that). If you’re looking to spend a nice family night in or with some friends than I definitely recommend swinging by one of the dozens of fresh caught seafood marts and picking up some lobsters and sides and enjoy home cooked lobster dinner.
We picked up our lobster from Parson’s Lobsters right outside of Bar Harbor and the woman behind the counter guided us through the boiling and cooking procedures which was not only helpful but absolutely spot on. Besides the lobster we picked up some fresh clams, oysters and sides that went perfect with the lobster dinner. Every time I visit Maine again I will most definitely be adding this into the trip.
Grab a drink at the Ivy Manor Inn Bar Harbor
Arguably the coolest little Inn Bar Harbor has to offer is the Ivy Manor Inn. The Inn features antique cottages and rooms for rent during your stay but that is not why it made our list. Located right outside of the entrance to the inn is the garden fixed with a full bar, tables, chairs and a fire pit for you to enjoy some drinks on the lawn.
The Ivy Many Inn garden is a prime spot to enjoy some drinks, conversations and is located right on Bar Harbor’s historic Main Street. The garden features live music daily for a few hours so it is definitely a popular sport especially on the weekends so plan your stop accordingly but it’s definitely a great spot to stop and take in bar Harbor.
We were lucky enough o beast the rush on our visit and snagged a prime table to enjoy ourselves for a few drinks.
Hike the Beehive Trail at Acadia National Park
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.
Other Activities at Acadia
Catch a sunrise at Cadillac Mountain: The first place to catch the sunrise the United States and also the East Coasts highest peak is Cadillac Mountain and arguably what Acadia National Par is most known for.
Travel out to Schoodic Point: Schoodic Point’s remoteness and limited accessibility was the only reason that this absolute gem didn’t make the list above. Most visitors who make the journey out here are blown away by the beauty, hiking, and solitude they get away form hustle and bustle of the park.
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is one of three lighthouses managed by Acadia National Park and a popular destination for tourists. Located in Tremont, Maine the Lighthouse marks the entrance to Bass Harbor and is a very cool spot to take in some views and check out an iconic lighthouse at the same time.
Sand Beach: Sand Beach is a tiny little beach nestled at the foot of the rocky cliffs and entrance to the Ocean Path. It is a great spot to cool off in the ocean and take your young ones to enjoy some sand time.
Thunder Hole: Thunder Hole is the best spot in Acadia to hear the waves crash against the cliffs. The sound the waves make is the reason why this amazing was given the name thunder.
Otter Cliff: Just long Park Loop Road is otter Cliff. This 110 foot spectacle is one of the highest coastal headlands in both North and South America.
Where to Stay in Bar Harbor and Acadia
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Ivy Manor Inn Village Center: Rustic, old and antique perfectly describes this gem. Also as mentioned above they have a killer beer garden.
Anchorage Motel: Located right in the heart of Bar Harbor, this is a popular stay for visitors to the park and town.
The Acadia Hotel Downtown: Located right in downtown in the shopping district of Bar Harbor this is a very popular choice for visitors to the park.
Acadia National Park is an absolute New England gem located on the coast of Maine featuring some of the most epic coastline views on the east coast. Maine boasts the highest rocky headlands on the Atlantic coast, protected habitat, and an old rich culture surrounding the park. Acadia National Park is in the top ten most visited National Parks in the United States. Most importantly to us, it is hands down one of the most dog friendly National Parks in the country and it is truly great that they are and that our pup children have the opportunity to experience that park like we can.
Acadia features 45 miles of carriage roads that are prime to take your mountain bike out and do some adventuring. Designed to support horse and carriage passes through the valleys and mountains of Acadia, the carriage roads of Acadia are truly special. During our visit to Acadia we were fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of time on the parks carriage roads. The carriage roads are filled with scenic views, stunning bridges, great foliage and tree lines.
During the spring and summer months, Acadia’s carriage roads are popular for hiking and mountain biking. During the winter, the carriage trails are incredibly popular for cross-country skiers.
Eagle Lake Carriage Road is a 6 mile trail that is rated as an easy ride for most riders. The trail is a loop that surrounds Eagle Lake and offers great views of the lake as well as the mountains in the distance. This is a fairly busy trail that is used for both biking and walking so you may encounter park goers out and about either biking or walking their dogs.
The trail starts just off of the Eagle Lake parking lot and heads right into the start of the trail. The trail has an average grade of 2% but does rise to 4% in some areas. It is easily the most popular carriage trail in the park but is never crowded or too busy. Eagle lake Carriage Road Trail is a must when visiting Acadia National Park.
Witch Hole and Pond Carriage Trail is a 7.8 mile trail that is. considered moderate and is popular for mountain bikers who love a great endurance workout and scenic ride. The trail features a 446 foot elevation gain during the hike with windy turns and steep downhill grades during the ride. This a popular hiking trail but is primarily used as a mountain biking route in the park. You won’t have to worry about dogs roaming the road on this trail as they are not permitted on the trail. This is a pretty cool ride and one of the best in the park.
Hadlock Loop is a 4 mile loop that can accessed from there park’s main carriage road entrance. This moderately rated trail features long stretches of road before boasting some windy turns and scenic views and offers riders a 285 foot elevation gain during the duration of the ride. The trail runs parallel in most parts to the Upper Hadlock Pond and is located right off Route 3 that runs just outside of the park. This is a popular trail for mountain bikers and is not as very flooded with foot traffic. Definitely check this trail out and give it a whirl.
Day Mountain Carriage Trail is a 8.7 mile moderate trail located right near the popular Jordan Pond House. This trail is incredibly popular with hikers and bikers but offers stretches of uninterrupted riding where you can take in all the views without others joining you. The trail features some of the best viewpoints in the park and overlooks of Seal harbor. Day Mountain trail is a great trail to take to Day Mountain and take in some of the best bird watching in the North Atlantic region.
Bubble Pond Carriage Trail is a 5.4 mile out and back located near the Bar Harbor side of Acadia National Park. The trail features a relatively smooth and easy ride and boasts a 314 foot elevation gain. This trail is rated as an easy route and is popular with hikers, bikers, and horse back riding. The trail starts near the Bubble Pond parking area and runs parallel to the pond for the better half of the trail. The trail offers many viewpoints of the pond, little detour hikes to the pond and shore, and viewpoints of the park beyond. Definitely give this a shot when visiting Acadia National Park.
Here is some gear we found helpful on the trails:
Smith Bike Helmet– I use this helmet and it fits absolutely perfect to my head.
Personally I’ma huge fan of Aesics shoes for outdoor activities but in particular mountain biking as the soles hold on to and catch my pedals comfortably and efficiently.
We always have our Northface Venture Raincoat especially in New England. Mens and Women’s
Be sure to check out the 5 Ultimate Hiking Trails at Acadia National Park here:
