Difficulty Ratings of Acadia Hiking Trails

Unless otherwise indicated, distances are for round trip up and down the same trail. However, many trails can be combined to make loops and longer routes. For more details, refer to a map, guidebook, or National Park Ranger. Parking areas are on the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park unless otherwise indicated. Trails are listed alphabetically within difficulty groupings.

Very Easy: (smooth path over level ground)

Bar Harbor Shore Path

Beginning at the Bar Harbor Town Pier, the Shore Path runs along the shore offering great views of the harbor and out islands. The path crosses private property and access is granted by owners providing that hikers respect their residences and stay on the path. Park on the Town Pier in Bar Harbor. - 1.0 mile/1.6 km

Cadillac Summit - Paved path encircling the summit

Offers panoramic views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay and out islands - Parking on the Cadillac Mountain 1,530 foot summit - 0.3 mile loop/0.5 km loop

Jordan Pond Nature Trail

Forest and pond setting - Park at Jordan Pond parking area - 1.0 mile loop/1.6 km loop

Ocean Trail

Begins near Sand Beach and runs parallel to the Park Loop Road on its east side past Thunder Hole all the way to Otter Cliff - Park at the Sand Beach or Otter Point parking lots - 3.0 miles/4.8 km

Wonderland

Unique forest to rocky shoreline setting with tidal pools located on the western side of Mount Desert Island near Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - Parking is 1 mile south of Seawall Campground on Route 102A - 1.4 miles/2.2 km

Easy: (uneven ground but fairly level)

Bar Island - Accessible 1-1/2 hours either side of low tide

A sand bar leads to the forested island. Be aware of the time and tide schedule as there are no public facilities on the island. - Park on Bridge Street off West Street in Bar Harbor - Distance varies

Most Carriage Roads - Check with park staff on specific routes

Varied Acadia National Park settings concentrated on the eastern side of Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island - Parking & access at Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond, Eagle Lake, Brown Mountain Gatehouse, visitor Center, or Parkman Mountain - Distance varies

Ship Harbor Nature Trail

Forest to rocky shore setting on the western side of Mount Desert Island near the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - Parking is located in the Ship Harbor area off Route 102A - 1.3 mile loop/2.1 km loop

Moderate: (some steep grades, some level stretches)

Beech Mountain Trail

Located on the western side of Mount Desert Island near the Pretty Marsh Road offering a vista of Great Long Pond on the Northwest route - Follow signs from Somesville to Beech Mountain - 1.2 miles/1.9 km

Bowl Trail

Forest to granite ledges and pond setting - 100 feet north of Sand Beach parking area - 1.4 miles/2.2 km

Bubble Rock Trail

Forest setting with occasional open views and Jordan Pond views - Park in the Bubble Rock parking area just north of Jordan Pond near North Bubble and South Bubble Mountains - 1.0 mile/1.6 km for each mountain

Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail

Open ascent with great Bar Harbor and Frenchman Bay views - Park at the North Ridge Cadillac Mountain parking area - 4.4 miles/7.0 km

Champlain Mountain - Bear Brook Trail

Pine slop with vistas of Frenchman Bay - Park at the Bear Brook parking area, 400 feet beyond Beaver Dam Pond - 2.2 mile /3.5 km

Gorham Mountain Trail

Spruce forest setting opening to a granite ascent of 525 foot Gorham Mountain - Park in the Gorham Mountain parking area just past Thunder Hole - 1.8 miles/2.9 km

Great Head Trail

Sea Cliffs on the east side of Sand Beach - Park at the eastern edge of Sand Beach - 1.4 mile loop/2.2 km loop

Jordan Pond Shore Trail

Follows water's edge with rocky sections - Jordan Pond parking area (not the Jordan Pond Restaurant parking area) - 3.3 mile loop/5.3 km loop

Strenuous: (steep grades, many steady climbs)

Acadia Mountain Trail - Return via fire road

One of the most popular hiking trails in Acadia National Park offering views of Somes Sound and Southwest Harbor, National Park Rangers often lead hikes up Acadia Mountain as part of their regular summer program. The steep 700 foot climb can descend to a fire road or continue up St. Sauveur then down to a parking area about 1/2 mile south of the Acadia Mountain parking area (Route 102) - 2.5 miles/4.0 km

Beehive Trail - Iron rungs on ledges

Woods to exposed cliffs - 100 feet north of Sand Beach parking area - 0.8 miles/1.3 km

Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail

A Forest setting opening to a gentle granite ascent - Located 100 feet south of Blackwoods Campground entrance (Route 3) - 7.4 miles/11.8 km

Champlain Mountain - Beachcroft Trail

Rocky open slops - Parking at north end of The Tarn (Route 3) - 2.4 miles/3.8 km

Dorr Mountain - Canon Brook to Murray Young Path to Dorr Summit

Forest setting to steep granite ascent - Canon Brook parking area (Route 3) - 4.8 miles/7.7 km

Mansell Mountain - Perpendicular trail to 946 foot summit

Located on the Western Side of Mount Desert Island and Great Long Pond, it has a rocky stair step climb offering spectacular pond views. - Parking near south end of Great Long Pond near Southwest Harbor - 2.0 mile loop/3.2 km loop

Norumbega Mountain - Goat Trail

Steep ascent with wooded summit - Parking north of Upper Hadlock Pond (Route 198) - 1.0 mile loop/1.6 km loop

Pemetic Mountain Trail

Forest setting to ocean and lake views - Bubble Pond parking area - 2.4 miles/3.8 km

Precipice Trail - Iron rungs & ladders, very steep

The is the most challenging and well known hiking trail in Acadia National Park with an exposed and almost vertical 1,000 foot climb that's only recommended for physically fit and experienced hikers with no fear of heights. It is sometimes closed late spring through mid-August due to returning and endangered peregrine falcons. So, check with the National Park Service on this. The Precipice parking area is north of the Schooner Head entrance fee station on the Park Loop Road before Sand Beach - 1.6 mile/2.6 km