Off The Trails: A Hiker's Guide to the Outdoors

Located along the central Atlantic coast of Maine, Acadia National Park attracts nearly 4 million visitors a year. Spread out nearly 50,000 acres, the park mostly encompasses Mount Desert Island and an additional 60 miles of coastline. Visitors also have more than 150 miles of hiking trails and 33 miles of scenic roads available to see the wonderous landscape of Maine. The best time to visit is between April and October.

One of the top attractions at the park is Cadillac Mountain. Accessible by vehicle, this mountain is the highest peak in the park (and eastern seaboard). Sitting at 1,530ft this mountain offers a spectacular view of the coast once carved out by glaciers and island landscape. Most guidebooks and tourists will tell you this is the first place in the continental United States to see the sunrise. However, this is only true between October 7th and March 6th. The first place to consistently see the first sunrise in the continental U.S is West Quoddy Head in Lubec, Maine (about 2.5 hours or 108 miles northeast).

Another popular trail is Great Head Trail (Full Loop). This loop will take you to Sand Beach and Thunder Hole. This trail is only ~2 miles in length and is popular among all skill levels. High tide can affect access to Sand Beach, so plan an excursion accordingly. There are also plenty of boulders and rock faces that dot the hiking scenery.

The Beehive Loop Trail is another popular hiking spot among visitors. However, this hike is considered challenging and should only be attempted by experienced hikers. The trail follows a near vertical climb up a rock face using metal rungs and along a steep cliff edge. Falls resulting in serious injury and death have occurred and dogs are prohibited on this trail. If you are looking for an easier trail while still getting the thrill of an Acadia mountain, check out Gorham Mountain Loop. This trail is rated as moderate and is ~3 miles in length.

These are just some of the hiking trails Acadia has to offer. There is something for everyone here in coastal Maine. You can drive Park Loop Road and admire the beauty from the safety of your car if you choose. Once you finish your excursions for the day, don’t forget to stop by the town of Bar Harbor and support the local businesses and restaurants. It is the local seafood and cuisine that make a trip to Acadia National Park so special!

Parking: Parking depends on what trail and region of the park you plan to visit.

AllTrails: Search Acadia National Park to see the various trails. Trail maps are also available at the visitor centers across the park.