Acadia National Park Hikes

Hikes in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is often described as a hiker’s paradise, offering more than 150 miles of trails, a landscape where rugged mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean and where forests, lakes, cliffs, and granite trails come together to create one of the most memorable hiking destinations in the United States. 

The hiking experience in Acadia is unique because the trails are not only naturally beautiful but also historically significant, many of them crafted from hand-carved granite steps, iron rungs, and old carriage paths that have been part of the island’s story for more than a century. Hiking here is not simply a physical activity but an immersion into the wild beauty and cultural heritage of Mount Desert Island.

What makes Acadia’s hiking system so loved is the diversity in its trails. A single park offers everything from gentle woodland walks to heart-pounding cliffside scrambles, making it suitable for every type of visitor. Easy paths that wind around ponds and through forests give newcomers and families a comfortable introduction to Acadia’s scenery.

Quick Reference: Hikes in Acadia National Park

Hike Category	Trail Name	Distance	Elevation Gain	Starting Point	What Makes It Special
Easy	Ocean Path	4.4 miles round trip	Minimal	Sand Beach Parking	Flat coastal walk with views of Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Point.
Easy	Jordan Pond Path	3.3-mile loop	Minimal	Jordan Pond House	Scenic loop around Jordan Pond, views of The Bubbles, mix of boardwalks and rocky shoreline.
Easy	Wonderland Trail	1.4 miles round trip	Minimal	Wonderland Parking	Gentle forest walk leading to rocky coastline; excellent for tide-pooling and birdwatching.
Easy	Ship Harbor Trail	1.3-mile loop	Minimal	Near Bass Harbor	Quiet coastal loop with coves, tidepools, and interpretive signs.
Moderate	Gorham Mountain Trail	3.5 miles round trip	525 ft	Gorham Mountain Parking	Forest and granite climb to sweeping views of coastline, Sand Beach, and Otter Cliff.
Moderate	Bubble Rock Trail	1 mile round trip	300 ft	Bubbles Parking	Short climb to iconic Bubble Rock glacial erratic overlooking Jordan Pond.
Moderate	Penobscot & Sargent Mountain Loop	5.4 miles loop	1,280 ft	Jordan Pond House	Two-peak loop with panoramic summit views, Sargent Pond, and rugged granite sections.
Challenging	Precipice Trail	2.5 miles round trip	1,053 ft	Precipice Parking	Acadia’s most thrilling cliff climb with iron rungs, ladders, and exposed ledges.
Challenging	Beehive Trail	1.5 miles round trip	450 ft	Sand Beach Parking	Steep iron-rung route with dramatic views of Sand Beach and the Atlantic coastline.
Challenging	Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail	7.1 miles round trip	1,528 ft	Blackwoods Campground	Long scenic climb to Acadia’s highest summit with open granite ridges and ocean views.
Family-Friendly	Jesup Path & Hemlock Road	1.5 miles	Minimal	Sieur de Monts	Flat, boardwalk-style trail through wetlands; excellent for birdwatching.
Family-Friendly	Wonderland Trail	1.6 miles round trip	Minimal	Western MDI	Gentle shoreline walk ideal for families and kids exploring tide pools.

Easy Hikes in Acadia National Park

These trails are perfect for beginners, families with kids, or anyone looking for a relaxing hike.

1. Ocean Path

Distance: 4.4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Trailhead: Sand Beach parking area

Description: Ocean Path is a leisurely hike along the rugged Atlantic coastline, perfect for those looking for breathtaking views without much elevation gain. The trail follows the shoreline from Sand Beach to Otter Point, passing notable landmarks like Thunder Hole and Monument Cove. The path is mostly flat and well-maintained, making it accessible for all skill levels. With panoramic views of the ocean and rocky cliffs, it’s a great choice for families or those looking to experience the park’s coastal scenery.

2. Jordan Pond Path

Distance: 3.3 miles loop

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Trailhead: Jordan Pond House

Description: This loop around Jordan Pond offers picturesque views of the Bubbles (two rounded peaks) and the serene waters of the pond. The path is mostly level, with a combination of boardwalks and dirt trails. The western side of the pond features a rocky path that provides a more adventurous feel. After your hike, consider stopping at the Jordan Pond House for their famous popovers and tea.

Jordan Pond Path

Jordan Pond Path

3. Wonderland Trail

Distance: 1.4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Trailhead: Wonderland parking area

Description: A short, family-friendly hike that leads to a beautiful rocky coastline, Wonderland Trail is perfect for those wanting a peaceful, easy walk through a coastal forest. The trail meanders through woods and opens up to stunning views of the ocean. It’s also an excellent spot for birdwatching and tide-pooling at low tide.

4. Ship Harbor Trail

Distance: 1.3 miles loop

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Tidepools, quiet coves, interpretive signs

Located near Bass Harbor, this loop takes you through coastal forest to a picturesque cove and is great for spotting seabirds and crabs.

Moderate Hikes in Acadia National Park

These trails are slightly more challenging but reward you with stunning views and fewer crowds.

1. Gorham Mountain Trail

Distance: 3.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 525 feet

Trailhead: Gorham Mountain parking area

Description: Gorham Mountain offers a moderate climb with rewarding views of the coast, the surrounding islands, and the nearby Cadillac Mountain. The trail winds through dense forest before opening up to exposed granite ledges, offering spectacular views along the way. The summit provides sweeping vistas of Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff. Hikers can return via the same path or create a loop by connecting with other nearby trails.

2. Bubble Rock Trail

Distance: 1 mile round trip

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Trailhead: Bubbles parking area

Description: This short but rewarding hike leads to one of Acadia’s most iconic landmarks—Bubble Rock, a large glacial erratic perched precariously on the edge of South Bubble Mountain. The trail features a steady ascent, and the summit offers expansive views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding area. Though the hike is relatively short, the steep climb near the end can be a bit challenging, making it a great option for hikers seeking a moderate trail with an exciting finale.

3. Penobscot and Sargent Mountain Loop

Distance: 5.4 miles loop

Elevation Gain: 1,280 feet

Trailhead: Jordan Pond House parking area

Description: This loop trail takes hikers to the summits of both Penobscot and Sargent Mountains, providing some of the best views in the park. The climb up Penobscot Mountain is steep in sections, but the summit rewards hikers with panoramic views of the surrounding lakes, mountains, and ocean. The trail continues to the summit of Sargent Mountain, which is the second-highest peak in Acadia, offering a similarly breathtaking 360-degree view. The descent takes you past Sargent Pond, a serene and secluded spot, before returning to the Jordan Pond area.

Challenging Hikes in Acadia National Park

These trails are for experienced hikers ready for steep climbs, exposed ledges, and big rewards.

1. Precipice Trail

Distance: 2.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,053 feet

Trailhead: Precipice parking area

Description: The Precipice Trail is one of Acadia’s most famous and challenging hikes, known for its steep ascent up Champlain Mountain via iron rungs, ladders, and narrow ledges. This trail is not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights, but for experienced hikers, the adrenaline rush and panoramic views from the summit make it well worth the effort. The trail climbs sharply right from the start and offers spectacular views of the surrounding cliffs and the ocean below. Due to its difficulty, the Precipice Trail is typically recommended for experienced hikers and is best avoided in wet or icy conditions.

Precipice Trail

Precipice Trail

2. Beehive Trail

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 450 feet

Trailhead: Sand Beach parking area

Description: Often considered a less daunting version of the Precipice Trail, the Beehive Trail is still an exhilarating hike that features iron rungs, narrow ledges, and steep drop-offs. The trail ascends Beehive Mountain and provides thrilling views of Sand Beach, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding area. Though short in distance, the trail is steep and exposed, requiring hikers to use both hands and feet at times. Those seeking a less intense descent can return via the Bowl Trail, which passes by a peaceful pond nestled between the mountains.

Beehive Trail

Beehive Trail

Beehive Trail

Beehive Trail

3. Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail

Distance: 7.1 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,528 feet

Trailhead: Blackwoods Campground

Description: Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak in Acadia and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast, making it a popular destination for hikers. The South Ridge Trail offers a long, gradual ascent through forests and open granite sections, eventually leading to the summit, where hikers are rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of the ocean, nearby islands, and the park’s lakes and forests. The trail is challenging due to its length and elevation gain, but the steady climb and incredible vistas make it one of the most rewarding hikes in the park.

Family-Friendly and Accessible Trails

Acadia National Park is known not only for its challenging summit hikes but also for its generous offering of family-friendly and accessible trails that welcome visitors of all ages and abilities.

1. Jesup Path and Hemlock Road

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip

Difficulty: Easy and accessible

Highlights: Boardwalk, wetland views, wildlife

This flat, stroller-friendly trail near Sieur de Monts is great for birdwatching and fall foliage.

2. Wonderland Trail

Distance: 1.6 miles round trip

Difficulty: Easy

Highlights: Tidepools, quiet shoreline, wildflowers

On the western side of Mount Desert Island, this gentle trail leads to scenic tidal pools, perfect for kids and nature lovers.