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Top 8 Easy Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
1. Ocean Drive Trail
This popular walk is a four mile round trip between Sand Beach and Otter Cove, passing features such as Thunder Hole
and Otter Cliffs. It is such a scenic area of the park that several major car companies have filmed commercials along
the section of Park Loop Road that runs parallel to it.
2. Jordan Pond
This 3.2 mile trail tkes you around Jordan Pond, probably the most famous body of water in Acadia. The trail was just
refurbished in 1998. It is such a unique area of the park because mountains rise from all sides of the pond. These
peaks include the Bubbles, Pemetic Mtn. and Penobscot Mtn.
3. Flying Mountain
Flying Mtn. is only 284 feet high, but the views from the top are spectacular due to its proximity to Somes Sound.
This hike makes a 1.5 mile loop over a well-constructed trail with views of Acadia Mtn, St. Sauveur Mtn, Somes
Sound and Norumbega Mtn. There are also falcons that live near this location.
4. Long Pond
The Long Pond Trail is a 3.8 mile long stretch along the shore of Long Pond. The path was built with a retaining wall on
one side to keep the scenic boulders on slope of Mansell Mtn. from crashing down onto the path. It is an extremely easy
and relaxing walk because of the breaking waves of the pond and the trial is quite level and wide enough for two people
to walk next to each other.
5. Great Head
This is a unique network along the rocky peninsula off southeastern coast of Mount Desert Island near Sand Beach. It is a
good way for people to escape from the frenziness of the beach and go for a relaxing 1.3 mile hike. At the highest point,
the crumpled base of the Saterlee Mansion lies.
6. Shore Path
The best thing about this hike is its convenience. It starts at the town pier and runs along the coast for 1.3
miles and then heads back inland, eventually ending on Main Street. On the way back to the pier, people can go shopping or
stop for a bite to eat as they head through town.
7. Wonderland / Ship Harbor Nature Nature Trail
These trails form an 2.3 mile figure eight that goes through a unique mix of shrublands and Acadian granite shorelines
before fianlly ending on a stone beach that has an excellent view of many offshore islands. This final beach makes an excellent
place for a picnic before heading back to your car.
8. Bar Island
This is an interesting 1.7 mile hike that actually goes to Bar Island at low tide. From the highest point on the island,
have a unique view of Bar Harbor, as it seems to spill into the bay. The island also boasts some wonderful collections
of wildflowers.
Top 13 Moderate Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
1. Beachcroft Trail / Bear Brook Trail
This 3.5 mile loop has a little bit of everything. The Beachcroft is an amazing feat of construction because the whole treadway
was laid with large boulders that dig into the side of the 731 foot Hugenot Head. This semi-exposed trail is complete with switchbacks and
rock stairways. It also has amazing views of the East side of Dorr Mtn. and the Tarn, a glacial pond. Once hikiers
complete this ection of the loop, they will be greeted with amazing views of the ocean and the Porcupinre Islands from the 1058 foot
Champlain Mtn. To descend, follow the tree lined Bear Brook Trail down the North Ridge of the mountain.
2. Perpendicular / Razorback Trails
The Perpendicular trail is well regarded as "A Masterpiece in Trail Building." The whole trail was built into a talus slope
on the eastern side of Mansell Mtn. As the trail continues to rise up the mountain, the views of Long Pond, Beech Mountain,
Somes Sound and the ocean get better and better. Near the top of the trail, the talus slopes becomes a wooded forest,
and hikers eventually reach the wooded 949 foot summit of Mansell Mtn. From this point, continue down the wooded
(and very steep) Razorback Trail to complete the 3.5 mile loop.
3. Pemetic Mtn.
Pemetic Mtn. is a fairly central point in Acadia. To the east of this 1248 foot mountain is Bubble Pond and Cadillac Mountain.
To the west is Jordan Pond and Penobscot Mtn. There are about three different ways to scale it. This version goes up the Northeast Ridge
Trail, starting from the Bubble Pond parking lot. This semi-wooded trail has excellent views of Bubble Pond as it climbs higher and
higher. At the top, views of Penobscot Mtn, Jordan Pond and the South Bubble await. The extra steep Ravine Trail, descends toward
Jordan Pond. Hikers will actually be in a small strem gorge as they travel down this trail. It is complete with ladders and large
boulders. The Jordan Carry Trail and the Eagle Lake Trail, along with a carriage road will take hikers back to Bubble Pond.
4. The Bubbles and Conner's Nubble
This is a 4 mile hike that offers some very unique vistas. It starts at the Bubble Rock parking lot nd proceeds over the the
766 foot South Bubble, the 872 foot Notrh Bubble and the 588 foot Conner's Nubble. The views from the tops of these
peaks are some of the best in the park. This hike offers a nice mix of wooded trails and open ledges. Amazing views
of Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake is one best parts about this hike.
5. Acadia / St. Sauveur Mtn.
This is a 4.2 mile loop hike on the western side of the mountain. It rises over the 681 foot Acadia Mtn. and the
679 foot St. Sauveur Mtn. The views from the top of these mountains of Somes Sound are magnificant. When not traversing
summits and exposed granite, this loop will take hikers along an oceanside trail, past an old pirate den and
up some very impressive slopes where Pergrine Falcons can often be sighted.
6. Gorham Mtn.
Part of this 4 mile loop runs along the Ocean Drive Trail and the other part travels over the 525 foot Gorham Mtn.
There are great vistas of Great Head, Sand Beach Otter Cove and Champlain Mtn, Dorr Mtn, and Cadillac Mtn. It offers
an enjoyable Acadian mix of features for those ho wish to complete the relatively easy climb.
7. Giant Slide / Grandgent Trail
The Grandgent and Giant Slide Trail are probably the two mos difficult hikes in this category, but hiking hem is quite an experience.
The landscape on the northwestern slopes of Sargent Mtn are truly unique. As one progress along this 5.4 mile hike,
they will see huge boulders, mountain streams and quite a challenge of obstacles as they traverse their way to the
Summit of the 1373 foot Sargent Mtn. The hike also shows some of the stark contrasts between the wildlife below the
treeline and above the treeline. From the bare top of Sargent Mtn, one can see the Northern section of the island very well.
8. Canyon Brook / Gorge Path
This is a 6.5 mill hike that takes hikes to the top of Cadillac Mtn. and goes all of the way around Dorr Mtn.
Some of the highlights include the peaceful Jesup Path, the steep Canon Brook trail and the secluded Gorge Path.
This is a great hike for a hot day because it stays quite cool on the Gorge Path, even when the temperature in other
sections of the park may rise above 90 degrees.
9. Maple Spring / Hadlock Brook Trail
As one might expect, one of the great benefits of this 4.4 mile trail is its foliage. Especially in the fall, the leaves that fall
along the treadway will explode with color. Don't be fooled though, this is a very steep hike in places. It follows the Maple
Spring Trail to the top of Sargent Mtn. and descend along the Hadlock Brook Trail. One of the high points about this loop
is the Carriage Road Bridges that can be viewed while hiking.
10. Sluiceway / South Face
This is a great 3.5 mile loop for the person that appreciates coniferous forests. The southern slopes offer some
of the best old growth scenic forests that can be found on the island. It is not traveled by many hikers because it is
so remote. Don't expect great views though, but this is an enjoyable hike even without them.
11. Hadlock Ponds / Parkman Mtn. / Bald Peak
Parkman Mtn, standing at 941 feet and Bald Peak, at 974 feet are very close to each other, both of them located
just to the south of Bernard Mtn.It is a quiet 3.3 mile loop that takes hikers along the shore of the Hadlock Ponds
and then offers a view of the from the top of the peaks.
12. Norumbega Mtn
Norumbega is a wooded 862 foot high mountain, just to east of Somes Sound. It also has some of the steepest slopes in the park.
This 3.6 mile loop takes hikers to the top and then returns them via the unique Goat Trail.
13. Cadillac South Ridge
This is the longest hike in the park. Out and back, it is over 10 miles. The hike is also great because of its simplicity.
Hikers simply rise higher and higher with each step and the views get better but there are few recognizable landmarks along
this ridge trail.
Top 7 Difficult Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
1. Jordan Cliffs and Bluffs
This is a 4.3 mile loop that traverses the cliffs above Jordan Pond on Penobscot Mtn. Some sections of the trail
are downright scary but it is not physically demanding hike. Eventually, hikers will reach the 1194 foot summit of
Penobscot Mtn. Most will choose to return to their car via a more gentle route, depite the amazing views along this
path.
2. Precipice Rail
As scary as hiking the Jordan Cliffs trail can be, this one is probably even more scary because it times the trail
gives the impression that a 600 ft drop occurs right off the ledge where they are standing. This is complete with
iron rungs and handholds to assist hikers over th very steep sections. It is a 3 mile loop on the eastern face of
Champlain Mtn. It was created by famed trial maker Waldron Bates and is often closed because of the peregringe
falcons that live on the same cliffs.
3. Ladder Trail
This is a trail makes traversing the beastly eastern slope of Dorr Mtn. into a pleasureable climb. It is a 4.6 mile
loop that is another masterpiece in trail building. The east face of Dorr Mtn. has a long history, with the first
trails being built here in the late 1800's.
4. Beehive
The Beehive is small mountain that looms above Sand Beach. It rises to about the same height as Gorham Mtn, but in
a much more dramatic fashion. This hike, also built by Bates, offers many amazing views and a thrilling climb in a
compact 2.1 mile loop.
5. West Face Cadillac
This is a 3.3 mile trail for the purist because it does not employ anything but the bare granite of Cadillac mountain
to help hikers up this steep slope. It offers great views of Bubble Pond and eventually reaches the Cadillac summit
after merging with the South Ridge Trail.
6. Beech Cliffs
This is not so much a trail as a series of ladders and a short detour that take hikers to see some amazing views of
Echo Lake. It rises away from the Echo Lake Beach and reaches the 839 foot summit of Beech Mtn. There is an abandoned
fire tower at the top. Hikers can make a 3.5 mile loop and return to their car by going down the Bech Mtn South Ridge
Trail.
7. Deer Brook Trail
This is a very steep trail that rises awy from Jordan Pond. The trail was just repaired in 200 because it was badly eroded.
It makes a nice 5.6 mile loop that goes to the top of Penobscot and Sargent Mtns. Most of the trail resides in a
stream bed, making for a unique experience.
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