21 nice hikes in Acadia Nationwide Park
This story was initially printed in June 2019.
Acadia Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the most well-known locations in Maine, and for good cause. It’s a spot crammed with pure magnificence. It boasts mountains of pink granite, pristine ponds, effervescent brooks, dramatic sea cliffs and one of many state’s sandiest seashores. Acadia is the outside fanatic’s dream, regardless of their talents or ability degree.
The park options greater than 120 miles of mountain climbing trails and over 45 miles of easy, gravel, vehicle-free carriage roads. This path system is a murals, with big stone bridges, rock staircases, picket footbridges and historic cairns. And the surroundings can’t be beat.
It’s no shock that Acadia can get a bit crowded. Yearly, the park sees greater than 3 million guests, with nearly all of folks visiting in the summertime and fall. On the top of vacationer season, parking at trailheads and historic websites throughout the park could be irritating, if not inconceivable. However don’t let that discourage you.
Listed here are some nice hikes in Acadia, from simple to most difficult, adopted by recommendations on tips on how to have a profitable mountain climbing expertise whereas within the park.
Ship Harbor Nature Path
A simple, family-friendly hike, the 1.3-mile path results in the rocky shoreline and thru a whimsical spruce forest-fir forest. Alongside the way in which, fantastically illustrated nature shows assist walkers interpret their environment.
The path is formed like a determine eight. The primary loop was designed to be wheelchair accessible, whereas the second loop is a bit more difficult. Needless to say this path is pretty well-liked.
Wonderland
One other family-friendly path, the 1.5-mile Wonderland Path is a straightforward hike via a whimsical habitat of granite and twisted pitch pines. The path ends on the excellent playground — seashores coated with sand and seashells, seaweed gardens and tidal swimming pools.
This path could be very well-liked, particularly amongst households with young children.
Flying Mountain and Valley Cove
Rising simply 284 ft above sea degree, Flying Mountain is without doubt one of the lowest peaks in Acadia, but from the uncovered bedrock at its prime, hikers are rewarded with an important view of Somes Sound, Northeast Harbor and the close by Greening Island, Sutton Island and Nice and Little Cranberry islands.
Situated in what is named a quieter a part of Acadia Nationwide Park, Flying Mountain is the right possibility for folks in search of a straightforward, brief hike. It’s an ideal introduction to mountain climbing for youngsters. It’s a 0.6-mile hike to the summit and again, or you possibly can lengthen the hike by persevering with on to a second overlook and descending the north slope of the mountain to go to Valley Cove. All the loop hike is subsequently 1.4 miles lengthy.
Day Mountain
Rising 583 ft above sea degree, Day Mountain is without doubt one of the smaller mountains in Acadia however nonetheless provides good views of the encircling terrain and ocean. From the trailhead to the summit, it’s about 0.8 miles.
Nice Head
Tracing the rocky coast, Nice Head Path provides distinctive views of Frenchman Bay and close by islands. Making a 1.4-mile loop, the path visits the very best level of Nice Head, a cliff that rises 145 ft above sea degree. The spot, marked with a cedar submit signal, can be the placement of the ruins of a 1900s tea home.
The tea home, as soon as often called Satterlee’s Tea Home or Satterlee’s Tower, is now a pile of rubble. Sections of the stone flooring stay, in addition to items of the wall and a touch at what was as soon as steps to the entrance door. A circa-1920 {photograph} of the teahouse present that it was a small, round constructing with a flat roof, small arched home windows with picket shutters, and a picket door reached by three stone steps.
As well as, Nice Head Path visits Sand Seashore, probably the most well-liked locations within the park. Needless to say canines are usually not permitted on the seaside.
Beech Mountain
Rising 839 ft above sea degree, Beech Mountain is topped by an statement tower that provides an unobstructed panoramic view of the area. There are a number of methods to hike the mountain. Relying on which path you select, the hike size could possibly be something from 0.8 miles to 2.4 miles.
The car parking zone for the hike is at a ship launch for Lengthy Pond. One of many mountain climbing routes — Valley Path to West Ridge Path — runs alongside the shore of the pond for a brief distance.
Mansell Mountain
Mansell Mountain rises 949 ft above sea degree and could be explored by plenty of mountain climbing trails. A preferred route is to begin on the Lengthy Pond Path, take the second left at about 0.2 mile to hike up the Perpendicular Path to the summit, and descend the mountain on the Razorback Path.
The summit of Mansell Mountain is wooded, however a number of nice outlooks are situated alongside the Perpendicular Path, Mansell Mountain Path and Razorback Path. The hike hovers round 2 miles in size, barely extra and barely much less, relying on the route you are taking.
The Bubbles
North Bubble and South Bubble are two small however distinct mountains in Acadia Nationwide Park. Rising over the north shore of Jordan Pond, these two humps within the panorama seem rounded — like bubbles — they usually’ve lengthy been a preferred mountain climbing vacation spot for park guests.
The shorter however extra well-liked of the 2 mountains is South Bubble, which rises 768 ft above sea degree and is house to a mystifying landmark referred to as Bubble Rock. Simply east of the mountain’s summit, Bubble Rock seems to be precariously balancing on the aspect of a cliff, however the boulder is definitely fairly steady.
North Bubble, rising 872 ft above sea degree, provides a shocking, open view of Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake and the mountains and glowing ocean past. Climbing each from the Bubbles Parking Space is 1.8 miles complete.
Beehive
At 520 ft in elevation, the Beehive provides beautiful views of Sand Seashore, the ocean and the terrain of the japanese aspect of the island. Although the granite hump is actually not the tallest peak on the island, it’s by far probably the most dominant geological function in close to the favored Sand Seashore. And its path jogs my memory of a jungle gymnasium.
The hike begins on The Bowl Path, which leads via the woods to the bottom of Beehive’s cliffs. You then flip onto the Beehive Path to move straight up the face of the cliffs. The path consists of a number of iron rungs, which hikers can use for assist, however for probably the most half, the path switchbacks, rising in a zig-zag sample. The path additionally has loads of granite steps. For a extra gradual, safer descent, take The Bowl Path. All the hike is lower than 2 miles.
Parkman Mountain and Bald Peak
Each rising over 900 ft above sea degree, Parkman Mountain and Bald Peak stand aspect by aspect on Mount Desert Island, east of Somes Sound, and their summits are so shut collectively that hikers normally go to each in a single outing. Situated in Acadia Nationwide Park, the mountains each present panoramic views of the beautiful panorama of MDI and the close by ocean, dotted with smaller islands.
Properly-maintained park trails climb each mountains and span between their peaks, permitting for a loop hike that may be a little lower than 3 miles lengthy.
Norumbega Mountain
Rising 852 ft above sea degree, Norumbega Mountain was named to honor a mythological metropolis of gold considered someplace across the forty-fifth parallel within the area of Maine. The mountain includes a good loop hike that’s simply over 3 miles lengthy. A quieter mountain within the park, Norumbega provides some good views alongside its ridge. It additionally options the rocky, steep Goat Path, which is kind of scenic.
Penobscot Mountain Path
Rising 1,194 ft above sea degree, Penobscot Mountain provides superb views from its summit and overlooks. And since a few of its neighbors are extra well-liked — for instance, Cadillac Mountain and The Bubbles — Penobscot Mountain is usually not too crowded.
The 1.5-mile Penobscot Mountain Path is only one of some methods to climb to the summit of the mountain. It follows the mountain’s lengthy southern ridge, often called Jordan Ridge. After its intersection with the Spring Path, it leaves the forest behind and continues alongside the ridge for about 1 mile to the summit. As a result of the ridge is generally bald, this hike provides views a lot of the way in which.
Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Path
Rising 1,530 ft above sea degree, Cadillac Mountain is just not solely the tallest mountain within the park, it’s the tallest mountain on the Japanese Seaboard. Whereas a number of mountain climbing trails result in this mountain’s prime (in addition to a highway), the two.2-mile North Ridge Path is by far the preferred mountain climbing path on the mountain.
Whereas a lot of the ridge is bald, there’s a wide range of flora to get pleasure from alongside the way in which, together with stunted pitch pine, wild blueberries, grasses, sedges different low-lying crops. Spectacular granite boulders additionally add to the surroundings alongside the path.
Steep sections of path are damaged up by degree stretches, which lets you catch your breath and stretch your legs a bit.
Acadia Mountain
Situated on what’s often called the quieter aspect of the park, Acadia Mountain rises 681 ft above sea degree, making it one of many smaller mountains on the island. However, it’s probably the most well-liked hikes in Acadia, maybe due to its identify.
The highest of the mountain is freed from vegetation in a number of locations, together with the summit, providing nice views of the area. The mountain additionally options lovely stands of twisted pitch pine bushes and an abundance of lowbush blueberries. The hike is 2 to three.2 miles, relying on the route you are taking.
Gorham Mountain
Gorham Mountain rises 525 ft above sea degree close to Sand Seashore and is a very talked-about hike within the park. Throughout the top of vacationer season, it’s typically crowded, however for good cause. This mountain provides beautiful views of the area.
A 4-mile loop hike of Gorham Mountain consists of three trails: Ocean Path, Gorham Mountain Path and Bowl Path. However from the car parking zone on the Loop Highway, it’s simply 0.9 mile to the bald summit of the mountain, so you possibly can go for a shorter hike if you happen to like.
Gorge Path up Cadillac Mountain
Operating via a dramatic gorge between Dorr and Cadillac Mountain, the Gorge Path is a particular mountain climbing expertise that features a whole lot of granite steps, tiny waterfalls and breathtaking views of Dorr Mountain and past that to Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands.
From the Gorge Path trailhead on Park Loop Highway, the path is 1.9 miles to the highest of Cadillac Mountain, making for an out and again hike of about 3.8 miles. The path begins out gradual however turns into very rocky and steep because it climbs the japanese slope of the mountain.
Jordan Cliffs Path
Climbing diagonally up the steep japanese aspect of Penobscot Mountain, Jordan Cliffs Path is without doubt one of the most difficult and thrilling trails in Acadia. All through a lot of the hike, the path provides beautiful views of Jordan Pond and past, to Seal Harbor and the Cranberry Islands.
Measuring 1.4 miles in size, the path is ever-changing, presenting completely different challenges, together with a bit of steel rungs and rails that hikers should use to scale the steepest part of the path. The path is just not for individuals who are afraid of heights, since portion of the path travels alongside the sting of the cliff, with a sheer drop to at least one aspect and a rock wall rising to the opposite aspect. It’s also not a spot for canines.
Pemetic Mountain
Rising 1,248 ft above sea degree, Pemetic Mountain is without doubt one of the taller peaks within the park. Its bald summit provides panoramic views that embrace close by Jordan and Bubble ponds, Cadillac and Penobscot mountains, and the Cranberry Isles.
One wonderful thing about Pemetic Mountain is that its trails could be accessed from three completely different parking areas – Jordan Pond North Parking Lot, Bubble Pond parking space, and the Bubbles parking space. This may occasionally show you how to out when planning to hike the mountain throughout the busy season. This hike can fluctuate from 2.2 miles to over 5 miles relying on the route you are taking.
Dorr Mountain
Historic mountain climbing trails made up of a whole lot of granite steps lead steeply up Dorr Mountain, a peak named after “Father of Acadia” George B. Dorr. This mountain options a number of the most spectacular path engineering within the Acadia Nationwide Park, and from its summit, hikers are rewarded a 360-degree view of Mount Desert Island.
A number of mountain climbing trails discover the rocky slopes of Dorr Mountain and result in the picket signal at its summit. Trails run up the mountain’s north ridge, south ridge and steep west slope, however the preferred trails for mountain climbing Dorr are on the mountain’s east face, beginning at Sieur de Monts Spring. The shortest route to the highest of the mountain, out and again, is slightly below 3 miles, and it’s fairly steep. Needless to say canines are usually not permitted on a number of the trails.
Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Path
Of all of the mountain climbing trails on Cadillac Mountain, the three.5-mile South Ridge Path is the longest and gentlest. The path regularly climbs the mountain’s lengthy, south ridge, which is uncovered bedrock for a lot of the way in which, providing beautiful views of Mount Desert Island, the ocean, close by islands and coastal Maine as you hike.
Rising 1,530 ft above sea degree, Cadillac Mountain is the tallest and hottest mountain in Acadia Nationwide Park. It’s additionally the very best level alongside the North Atlantic seaboard and the primary place to view the dawn in the USA from early October via early March. Be ready for the truth that there’s a car parking zone on the summit.
Precipice
Zigzagging up the cliffs of Champlain Mountain, Precipice Path is named probably the most difficult and harmful path in Acadia Nationwide Park. In lower than a mile, it ascends practically 1,000 ft. A number of sections of the path are so steep that hikers have to be aided with steel rungs, rails and ladders bolted into the granite cliffs. And in lots of locations, the path is slender with a vertical rock wall to at least one aspect and a sheer drop to the opposite. However, it’s probably the most well-liked hikes within the park.
It’s particularly essential to notice that Precipice Path is normally closed from late spring via mid-August to guard the peregrine falcons that nest on the cliffs. Additionally, canines are usually not permitted on this hike for apparent causes.
Suggestions for mountain climbing in Acadia Nationwide Park
First, think about using the Island Explorer somewhat than driving into the park. Properly-behaved, leashed canines are permitted on the bus, and every bus has a motorbike rack.
Whereas the Island Explorer is free, entrance to the park is just not. Park passes are $30 per automobile or $15 per pedestrian (for instance, if you happen to take the bus) and could be bought on-line or in a number of places via the park and neighboring cities. Annual passes are $55, and $20 for seniors. In the event you do drive a automobile into the park, go away your go within the automobile. It doesn’t should be on you whereas mountain climbing.
Earlier than planning your hike or visiting the park, verify the park web site for path closures. Usually plenty of trails are closed for restoration or to guard wildlife throughout sure instances of yr. Path closures will probably be proper on the prime of the park’s most important web page.
After you’ve checked what trails are closed, examine a park map and choose a number of hikes that curiosity you. Choose a plan A and a plan B, and perhaps a plan C. This manner, if a car parking zone is full, you possibly can proceed to your subsequent possibility with out frustration. Don’t park illegally. You can be ticketed.
In the event you’re a first-time customer to the park or uncertain about the place to hike, go to the Hulls Cove Customer Heart, the place a ranger might help you intend a hike utilizing a large map of the park.
Additionally, whereas on the customer heart, you should purchase a path map, which is extraordinarily essential for any hiker within the park (until you actually know your method round). Park trails intersect everywhere. It will possibly get very complicated and not using a good map. Maps can be found for buy at Acadia customer facilities.
A phrase of warning: The free path maps supplied at customer facilities are supposed for driving solely. They don’t embrace path names, contour traces or path mileage. Subsequently, they aren’t in any respect useful for navigating trails.
Don’t underestimate Acadia trails. A few of them are fairly difficult. Carry a backpack that accommodates loads of water and snacks, insect repellent and sunscreen. A primary assist package and different survival gear can be beneficial. It will assist you’ve a safer and extra fulfilling mountain climbing expertise. Operating out of water isn’t any enjoyable, and it’s simple to get a sunburn as you hike alongside the lengthy, bald ridge of Cadillac Mountain.
Canine are permitted in Acadia, however they have to be leashed always, and that leash can’t exceed 6 ft in size. As all the time, decide up after your canine. Depart no hint. Additionally, take into account that some Acadia trails are closed to canines as a result of they function ladders, rungs and different obstacles that may’t be navigated safely with a canine in tow. Right here’s a listing of these trails.
To keep away from the most important crowds, plan your hike early within the morning or later within the afternoon, suggests Gary Stellpflug, Acadia path foreman. Folks flock to the park in late morning and lots of go away in time to prepare for dinner.
For extra suggestions, try the Acadia Nationwide Park Climbing web page.
