Best Hikes Acadia National Park
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience Acadia National Park. There are trails of all difficulties making it easy for everyone to get outside of the car and explore. The carriage roads are flat, dirt roads that are mostly ADA accessible. The National Park website has a great list of ADA-accessible options with specific details for those who need it.
Easy
Jordan Pond Path
Length: 3.1 Miles
Elevation Gain: 42 Feet
Trailhead Location: Jordan Pond
This beautiful loop takes you around the edge of Jordan Pond. It is a mostly flat trail but it does have some logs to cover swampy spots in the trail. The view is amazing the entire way around the pond. The farther you get from the Jordan Pond House on the trail the less people you will run into.
Thunder Hole to Sand Beach
Length: 1.7 Miles
Elevation Gain: 196 Feet
Trailhead Location: Sand Beach or Thunder Hole
You’ll follow the coast between Park Loop Road and the cliffs. The trail can get a bit narrow at points because it gets pinched off by the road. It is an easy walk with stunning views.
Ocean Path Loop Trail
Length: 4.5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 375 Feet
Trailhead Location: Sand Beach
This trail follows the same path as the Thunder Hole to Sand Beach. Instead of ending at Thunder Hole you’ll continue along to Otter Point.
Eagle Lake Carriage Road
Length: 6 Miles
Elevation Gain: 337 Feet
Trailhead Location: Eagle Lake Parking Area
An easy path that takes you around the edge of Eagle Lake. You’ll cross under one of the famous stone carriage road bridges. This path is usually a little less crowded because it’s passed all the major park attractions.
Jesup Path
Length: 2.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 78 Feet
Trailhead Location: Parking Area off RT3
The Jesup Path is a beautiful and very accessible trail. It is wide, flat, and has a boardwalk. A lot of photographers love this trail and the diversity it offers.
Moderate
Gorham Mountain Loop
Length: 3 Miles
Elevation Gain: 583 Feet
Trailhead Location: Gorham Mountain Parking Area
The loop trail takes you up the side of Gorham Mountain, with beautiful views of Sand Beach at the top. You descend the other side of the mountain towards the Bowl Trail Junction. You’ll have the option of dropping by Sand Beach or continuing down the coast towards Thunder Hole to complete the loop.
Great Head Trail
Length: 1.8 Miles
Elevation Gain: 265 Feet
Trailhead Location: Sand Beach
This loop takes you up the rocky coast adjacent to Sand Beach up to a viewpoint where you can look over the entire beach. It is a truly beautiful loop and one you should certainly add to your itinerary.
The Bubbles
Length: 1.6 Miles
Elevation Gain: 515 Feet
Trailhead Location: Bubbles Parking Area
The first section of the trail will bring you up between the Bubbles until you make a turn for the North Bubble. North Bubble is taller and steeper than South Bubble, you can do either one first but I suggest you start with North. Both Bubbles have a great view of Jordan Pond. South Bubble has “The Bubble” which is just a cool rock at the peak.
Pemetic Mountain Loop
Length: 4.9 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1,040 Feet
Trailhead Location: Jordan Pond House
The trail can be done from either direction. You could start by taking the stretch along Jordan Pond first or for your cool down. The hike up Pemetic can be steep at points but there are no ladder rungs to battle. The peak has great views of the Atlantic, Jordan Pond and across the way is Cadillac Mountain.
Sargent Mountain
Length: 4.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1,466 Feet
Trailhead Location: Parkman Mountain Parking Area
One of the few trails with a 360 view at the peak. The trail is pretty consistent with other hiking trails in the area for difficulty and technicality. It can get a little steep in parts.
Difficult
Beehive Loop Trail
Length: 1.5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 508 Feet
Trailhead Location: Across the road from Sand Beach
Dorr Mountain Trail
Length: 2.7 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1,131 Feet
Trailhead Location: Parking Area off RT3
The beginning of the trail takes you directly to the top of Dorr Mountain. It is a steep climb with a lot of rock stairs and eventually ladder rungs. On the descent, you’ll end up taking a left to take a more gentle path down the mountain.
Precipice Trail
Length: 2.1 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1,053 Feet
Trailhead Location: Precipice Trail Parking Area
This trail adds thrill to the hike with the steep bouldering climb and ladder rungs you need to scale to complete the trail. Definitely not for those with a fear of heights. There is a very cool bridge you’ll get to pass over as you parallel the cliff face. The summit has beautiful views of the bay and you can see Bar Harbor in the distance.
Cadillac Mountain
Length: 3-8 Miles depending on trail
Elevation Gain: 1,128 Feet average
Trailhead Location: Multiple Locations
There are a few different trails you could take to summit Cadillac. Depending on the mileage, elevation change, and how long you want to be hiking there is a summit trail for everyone.
Gorge Path Trail
Length: 2.5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 797 Feet
Trailhead Location: Gorge Path Parking Area
This trail gets steep quick with rocky staircases to ascend. Awesome views at the peak, you can get a glimpse of Bar Harbor in the distance.
A few helpful notes: park in the designated parking areas or the closest one to the path that you’d like. The bus from the visitor center is a great tool when you’re in the park during peak hours. We have seen people parked in ways that completely block parking lot exits. Leave no trace, be respectful, and have a good time. Hopefully, our list of the best hikes in Acadia National Park helps you to pick the optimal trails for your trip!