12 Beautiful Hikes in Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a stunning park on the coast of Maine. Although many of the must-see sights are along the scenic drive, hiking is one of the best ways to experience the even more beauty of the area!
Every time I visit Acadia National Park, I add a new hike to my itinerary. Some of the best views in the park are on hikes, and there are so many to enjoy.
There are hikes in Acadia National Park for all levels, so you can find some that work best for you. This guide reviews everything you need to know about the best hikes in Acadia National Park!
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Tips for Planning Hikes in Acadia National Park
Start your day early. Acadia National Park is one the most visited national parks in the US, so during summer and fall, there are many people in the park. I recommend starting your day as early to avoid long wait lines to enter the park and have an easier time finding parking. Some of the best hikes in Acadia National Park are popular, so arriving early will allow you to enjoy the trail with fewer crowds.
If the park is busy, use the Island Explorer Shuttle. Some trailheads are on the Acadia’s Island Explorer Shuttle route, so you don’t have to deal with parking. The Island Explorer Shuttle is free and runs from late June to early October.
Be flexible. There may be times when you arrive at a full parking lot, so I recommend having a backup hike planned just in case. Since Acadia National Park has over 2.5 million visitors each year, it’s important to stay flexible on your trip!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Many of these trailheads have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away when you finish the hike. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
When to Hike in Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a four-season national park and has trails you can hike year-round! Here are some things to consider and expect for hiking in Acadia National Park in each season:
Summer is one of the best times to hike in Acadia National Park because the weather is beautiful, and the days have long-lasting daylight. Summer is also one of the busiest times to visit Acadia National Park, and it can have over two million visitors! I highly recommend arriving at trailheads early because some trailheads can fill up before 8 am.
Fall is another busy time to visit Acadia National Park because of the vibrant fall foliage. Many people from all over the world visit Acadia National Park in the fall to experience the fall foliage so trailheads can fill up very early in the morning. Similar to summer, I recommend arriving at trailheads early to secure a parking spot and hike with fewer crowds.
Winter is an underrated time to hike in Acadia National Park, and it is one of the least visited seasons. Winters in Acadia National Park are cold and snowy, so it’s crucial to pack warm layers and appropriate winter hiking gear. Part of the Park Loop Road is closed in the winter, making some trailheads inaccessible by car.
Spring is a beautiful time to hike in Acadia National Park after the snow melts! Some trails can be icy in early spring, but late spring brings gorgeous hiking weather. Spring is also one of the least visited times to visit, so it’s a great time to hike without the crowds.
What to Pack for Hiking
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Map of Hikes in Acadia National Park
The Best Hikes in Acadia National Park
Ocean Path
Trail: Ocean Path Trail
Length: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Ocean Path is one of the best hikes in Acadia National Park for those looking for an easy trail with stunning ocean views. The Ocean Path Trail travels from Sand Beach along the coast to Otter Point. You can begin the trail at either end since it is an out-and-back trail, but I recommend starting near Sand Beach.
The Ocean Path not only provides beautiful views of the rocky cliffs and ocean, but it also passes through some of the must-see sights in Acadia National Park, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, and Otter Point. I love hiking Ocean Path during peak season to see these must-see attractions.
If you visit Acadia National Park on a busy day, the Ocean Path is a great way to explore some of its must-see sights without worrying about parking. It is a fantastic hike for all hiking levels and will quickly become one of your favorite hikes in Acadia National Park!
Precipice Loop
Trail: Precipice Trail > Champlain North Ridge Trail > Orange & Black Path
Length: 2.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Difficulty: Difficult
The Precipice Loop is one of the most popular hikes in Acadia National Park because it offers incredible views and a fun trail that includes climbing iron rungs. The hike is strenuous and is not suitable for anyone afraid of heights.
I recommend hiking this as a loop because I would not recommend hiking down the Precipice Trail. The Precipice Trail brings you to Champlain Mountain, offering beautiful views of the surrounding area. This section of the trail is the most adrenaline-pumping because of the icon rungs and steep climb. But it is fun!
Since this is one of the most popular and best hikes in Acadia National Park, it will have crowds. I recommend arriving at the trailhead as early, so you can avoid being in a line of people climbing the trail.
Note: The Precipice Trail is closed during certain parts of the year for falcon nesting.
Beehive Loop
Trail: Beehive Trail to Bowl Trail
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
If you are looking for another exhilarating hike similar to the Precipice Loop, the Beehive Loop is for you! The Beehive Loop is known as one of the best hikes in Acadia National Park because it offers stunning views along the trail. The Beehive Loop is another trail that is not for those afraid of heights because it travels along a cliff and iron rungs.
The loop travels counterclockwise to ascend the steep Beehive Trail and descend the more gradual Bowl Trail. The entire trail has beautiful views, so you will be in awe while you hike. If you are up for a challenge, the Beehive Trail will become one of your favorite hikes in Acadia National Park!
Cadillac North Ridge Trail
Trail: Cadillac North Ridge Trail
Length: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain in Acadia National Park and is one of the most popular places because of its beautiful views. It also is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise during certain times of the year.
Although you can drive to the summit by making a reservation, I highly recommend hiking to it instead! Many trails lead to Cadillac Mountain, but the Cadillac North Ridge Trail is a popular route (and my favorite!) because it is shorter than others and offers stunning views along the way.
The trail travels along the north side of Cadillac Mountain through a forest before traveling above the treeline. There are many overlooks along the way, some of which are my favorite in Acadia National Park.
Once you are at the summit, you can enjoy the beautiful 360-degree views! Every time we visited Acadia National Park, we always had a cloudy sunrise (photo below), but it’s a beautiful hike regardless!
Cadillac South Ridge Trail
Trail: Cadillac South Ridge Trail
Length: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
If you are looking for an alternative route to the Cadillac North Ridge Trail, the Cadillac South Ridge Trail is perfect! The Cadillac South Ridge Trail travels along the south side of Cadillac Mountain and is a stunning hike, with diverse scenery and incredible views of the surrounding area.
Since the Cadillac South Ridge Trail is longer and gains more elevation than other trails leading to Cadillac Mountain, it tends to be less crowded. If you are up for a longer hike to Cadillac Mountain, the Cadillac South Ridge Trail will be one of the best hikes in Acadia National Park for you!
Gorham Mountain Trail
Trail: Gorham Mountain Trail
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Gorham Mountain Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Acadia National Park, especially for sunrise or sunset. There are a few ways to get to Gorham Mountain, with the most popular being from the Gorham Mountain Trailhead parking lot. This beautiful trail gradually gains elevation and offers stunning views once you hike past the treeline, so it is a hike for all hiking levels!
Since the Gorham Mountain Trail is relatively easy and offers beautiful views, it tends to have crowds. However, if you hike it for sunrise or sunset, you will be treated to a peaceful hike and a quieter summit.
I have hiked Gorham Mountain a few times, and the views always leave me in awe. It is easily one of my favorite hikes in the park, so I know you will love it.
Jordan Pond Path
Trail: Jordan Pond Path
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
If you are looking for one of the best hikes in Acadia National Park that is easy, the Jordan Pond Path is perfect! Jordan Pond is one of the most popular areas in Acadia National Park because it offers stunning views of the Bubbles.
The Jordan Pond Path travels around Jordan Pond along an easy path, making it great for all hiking levels! It is one of my favorite easy hikes in Acadia National Park. You can also enjoy a yummy meal or tea at the Jordan Pond House after your hike.
Since Jordan Pond is one of the most popular areas in Acadia National Park, I recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The parking lots fill up quickly during peak season!
Beech Mountain Loop
Trail: Beech Mountain Loop Trail
Length: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 350 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Beech Mountain is on the left side of Acadia National Park which many people do not visit. Most visitors stay along the Park Loop Road, but some of the best hikes in Acadia National Park are on the other side of the island.
The Beech Mountain Loop is a fantastic hike that offers beautiful views of Long Pond and has a fire tower. The trail is relatively easy, making it great for all hiking levels, too!
I recommend hiking the loop clockwise, so you can ascend on the steep section of the trail and have an easy descent. If you travel to the western side of the island to hike Beech Mountain, you will quickly realize why it’s one of the best hikes in Acadia National Park!
Great Head Trail
Trail: Great Head Trail
Length: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Sand Beach is one of the most popular areas to visit in Acadia National Park, but many people only enjoy the beach and not the beautiful hiking trail!
The Great Head Trail hikes across the beach and up to a cliff overlooking Sand Beach, the ocean, and the Beehive. The Great Head Trail also passes by the ruins of an old tea house from the 1900s, which is a fun addition to the hike!
Hiking the Great Head Trail is a fun way to escape the crowds at Sand Beach!
Acadia Mountain Loop
Trail: Man O War Brook Trail > Acadia Mountain Trail
Length: 2.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Acadia Mountain is easily one of my favorite hikes in Acadia National Park! Although Acadia Mountain is not the tallest mountain in the park, it does not lack stunning views.
There are a few ways to hike Acadia Mountain, and one of the most popular is via Man O War Brook Trail. The hike travels along an easy path leading you to a beautiful overlook where the brook meets the ocean.
The trail then begins to gain elevation over a few steep sections before leading to Acadia Mountain. Acadia Mountain offers beautiful views of Somes Sound and Echo Lake. I recommend following the loop counterclockwise because the east side of Acadia Mountain has rock scrambles that are easier to ascend and descend.
Alternative hike: If you are looking for a longer trail, you can hike a loop with Acadia Mountain and Saint Sauveur Mountain. I recommend hiking the 4-mile loop counterclockwise to head to Saint Sauveur Mountain first.
North Bubble and South Bubble
Trail: Bubbles Divide > Bubbles Trail
Length: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
My favorite hike in Acadia National Park is the Bubbles. North Bubble and South Bubble sit at the edge of Jordan Pond and offer beautiful views of the surrounding area. These viewpoints are some of my favorites in the entire park.
And the best part? The hike is not too strenuous! The trail travels through a beautiful forest, gradually ascending to the Bubbles Trail junction. You can hike to the left to reach South Bubble and Bubble Rock or right to North Bubble. It does not matter which you choose to visit first because you’ll have to hike down to the junction before heading to the other Bubble.
Also, the trailhead parking lot is small, so if there is no parking, you can park at Jordan Pond and begin the hike on Jordan Path instead. The North Bubble and South Bubble hike will quickly become one of your favorite hikes in Acadia National Park!
Six Summits
Trail: Hadlock Brook Trail > Bald Peak Trail > Parkman Mountain Trail > Grandgent Trail > Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail > Penobscot Mountain Trail > Sargent South Ridge Trail > Amphitheatre Trail > Hadlock Brook Trail
Length: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Last but not least, we have one of the most fun hikes in Acadia National Park! Six Summits is a strenuous hike, bringing you to Bald Peak, Parkman Mountain, Gilmore Peak, Sargent Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, and Cedar Swamp Mountain. If you are up for an incredible and strenuous hike, you will not be disappointed with Six Summits.
I recommend hiking it clockwise to climb the rock scrambles first and have an easy descent. Six Summits is one of the most epic day hikes in Acadia National Park that rewards you with some of the most beautiful views in the park!
If you are looking for the best hikes in Acadia National Park to add to your bucket list, this guide is a great place to start! It has everything you need to know about the best hikes in Acadia National Park.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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