HIKES ALONG THE POPULAR OCEAN SIDE:
The eastern side of Mount Desert Island south of the vibrant tourist town of Bar Harbor is the most popular section of Acadia National Park. The one-way Park Loop Road offers amazing views of the rugged coastline and tourists who hike the Ocean Path are treated to a more intimate experience along the pink granite formations. Famous landmarks include Sand Beach (the only sandy beach on Mount Desert Island), Thunder Hole (a spot where waves often crash loudly), and the Beehive (one of Acadia's signature hikes for those who can control their fear of heights).
OCEAN PATH (Sand Beach to Otter Point)
Easy family stroll.
One of the crown jewel features of Acadia National Park is the beautiful coastline with its jagged pink granite formations standing up to the never-ending assault of the ocean's waves. Ocean Path is a family-friendly trail that follows a dramatic stretch of coastline between Sand Beach and Otter Point with Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff along the way.
SAND BEACH and GREAT HEAD TRAIL
Fairly easy family-friendly hike.
Nestled in a nice little cove protected from the Atlantic Ocean, Sand Beach is Acadia's only sandy beach and is a popular spot for people to relax and play along the shore. Just to the east is the Great Head peninsula; a hike around Great Head is a great 1-2 hour diversion to see some of Mount Desert Island's most impressive sections coastline.
THE BEEHIVE (The Beehive Trail, The Bowl Trail)
Fairly strenuous and exposed hike with iron aides.
The Beehive is the majestic peak that overlooks Sand Beach from the northwest. The hike up the Beehive Trail is a thrilling Acadia classic that heads right up the steep south face of the peak and includes granite steps, iron rungs to climb up, and several handrails for exposed rock scrambling sections. The views from the summit are incredible.
GORHAM MOUNTAIN TRAIL (and Cadillac Cliffs Trail)
Moderately strenuous day hike.
With its close proximity to the popular Ocean Path trail, Gorham Mountain is a popular peak for hikers even though it isn't the tallest or most noticeable mountain in the park. The trail up to Gorham Mountain has relatively modest elevation gain and is a fairly easy family-friendly hike. Despite the ease of the hike, tourists are still treated to wonderful views from the summit.
THE PRECIPICE TRAIL
Strenuous and exposed route with iron aides.
The Precipice Trail is an ingenious route that heads up the steep cliffs of Chamblain Mountain, navigating the various fault lines and shelf systems. Numerous iron rungs, ladders, handrails, and wooden bridges help hikers at the more difficult and exposed sections. As such, this trail may seem more like a via ferrata climbing route than a simple hike.
CHAMPLAIN SOUTH RIDGE TRAIL
Fairly strenuous day hike.
While the Precipice Trail is the most thrilling way to hike to the top of Champlain Mountain, the Champlain Mountain South Ridge Trail also offers hikers some amazing views, but without the need for any exposed scrambling. The trail loops around The Bowl and then heads up the south ridge of Champlain Mountain and can be combined the Beehive or Precipice Trail.
BEACHCROFT PATH (Huguenot Head to Champlain)
Fairly strenuous day hike.
Heading up the west face of Champlain Mountain is the Beachcroft Path, a relatively short but fairly strenuous trail that loops around Champlain's smaller companion peak, Huguenot Head, offering some wonderful view of the valley below before summiting Champlain. The final steep push to the top of Champlain Mountain, however, is hardly a "path."
DORR MOUNTAIN EAST FACE TRAILS
Moderately to fairly strenuous day hike.
While the majority of Acadia's peaks have multiple trails that lead to the summit, the east face of Dorr Mountain may be the winner as far as hiking options go. From the Sieur de Monts Spring and Nature Center parking area, there are three separate routes that start climbing the base of the mountain: the Emery Path, Homans Path, and Kurt Diederich's Climb.
DORR MOUNTAIN via LADDER TRAIL
Fairly strenuous hike with iron aides.
Dorr Mountain has four separate trails that lead up to the summit, but the most interesting route is known as the Ladder Trail--a challenging trail that works its way up the steep east face with the help of a few ladders and iron rungs. Despite its ominous name, this trail is a bit less exposed and intimidating than the Beehive or Precipice Trail.
BAR ISLAND and BAR ISLAND TRAIL
Easy family-friendly hike.
Located in Frenchman Bay just north of Bar Harbor are several small islands including the Porcupine Islands and Bar Island. Bar Harbor's namesake feature is the long shallow bar that runs through the water between town and Bar Island. During low tide, the bar becomes dry land allowing tourists to hike onto the island, which is officially part of Acadia National Park.
BAR HARBOR SHORE PATH
Family-friendly stroll.
Starting at the pier in downtown Bar Harbor, Shore Path is a well-groomed walkway that follows the rocky coastline for roughly half a mile, passing by the Bar Harbor Inn and several historic mansions along the way. This path is not a part of Acadia National Park, but it is definitely worth the time to take a leisurely stroll to soak up the scenery, especially at sunrise or sunset.
COMPASS HARBOR TRAIL (Dorr Point and Old Farm Estate)
Easy family stroll.
Located less than a mile south of downtown Bar Harbor, George's Dorr's Old Farm property is protected as a small isolated section of Acadia National Park. The Compass Harbor Trail is a short and family-friendly walk that heads through the forested old estate and ends at Dorr Point, a granite outcropping that overlooks Compass Harbor and the Porcupine Islands.
HUNTERS BEACH TRAIL
Easy family-friendly hike.
A trip to Acadia National Park would not be complete without doing a hike to one of Mount Desert Island's cobblestone beaches. Located on the southern coast of the east side of the island, the Hunters Beach Trail heads through thick forest scenery to reach a beautiful cove covered with ocean-tumbled rocks and a babbling brook flowing through the rocks into the ocean.
LOWER DAY MOUNTAIN and HUNTERS CLIFF TRAIL
Moderately strenuous hike.
Located on preserved land just outside of Acadia National Park proper, the Lower Day Mountain/Hunters Cliff Trail is a mile-long stretch of trail that connects the Day Mountain Trail with Hunters Beach. Starting at the Day Mountain parking area, the trail heads southeast up the barely noticeable Lower Day Mountain and then down to the cliffs above Hunters Beach Cove.
LITTLE HUNTERS BEACH
Quick easy stroll.
Little Hunters Beach is a quaint little cobblestone beach located west of Otter Point, along the south-facing coastline of Mount Desert Island. This spot isn't really a hike per se, but it is a fun little shoreline stroll. To find the trailhead, drive along the one-way Park Loop Road. Roughly 1.5 miles past Otter Cove, the road crosses a stone bridge; this is Little Hunters Beach!
COOKSEY DRIVE OVERLOOK
Quick easy stroll.
Located just outside of Acadia National Park near the town of Seal Harbor, Cooksey Drive Overlook is a short family-friendly stroll to a great little viewpoint. This trail is maintained by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and offers a wonderful dramatic view from the top of some sheer granite cliffs with the Atlantic Ocean pounding at the coastline below.
