10 Best Acadia Hikes For Every Skill Level (PLUS Complete Trail Description)

Acadia National Park is home to over 150 miles of the most incredible and awe-inspiring hikes. Acadia offers the ultimate outdoor adventure with options for all skill levels and stunning landscapes like granite peaks, ocean views, and serene forests. Find your perfect trail with our guide to the best Acadia trails.

Our top Acadia NP Hikes

The Beehive Loop Trail

The Beehive Loop Trail is a short but steep trail that goes right up the southern face of the Beehive and has features such as narrow, cliffside ledges and iron rungs. At the summit are spectacular views of Sand Beach, Great Head, Frenchman Bay, and the surrounding mountains. It is recommended to descend the Bowl trail due to the ladders.

• Distance: 1.4 miles round trip

• Rated: Very Difficult

• Ave Duration: 1-3 hours

• Pets: Not allowed

• Trail Specifics:

  • Ascends 450 ft

  • Rocky and uneven

  • Must climb a rung ladder

  • Granite becomes very slippery when wet.

Bowl Trail

Bowl Trail is an easier hike that goes up the backside of the Beehive to reach the summit with the same views. “The Bowl” refers to the pond, one of the most photographed in Acadia. It is nestled between several peaks, including Champlain Mountain, Enoch Mountain, Halfway Mountain, and The Beehive.

• Distance: 1.24 miles round trip

• Rated: Easy/Mod

• Ave Duration: 1-3 hours

• Pets: Allowed

• Trail Specifics:

  • Ascends 350 ft

  • The pond may contain leeches

Precipice Trail

If you are an experienced hiker, the Precipice Trail is definitely for you. It is the most challenging and dangerous hike in the National Park, with an almost vertical 1,000-foot climb. The many iron rungs, bridges, metal ladders, and switchbacks will challenge you. Check the National Park Service website for trail closures due to nesting Peregrine Falcons.

• Distance: 3.2 miles round trip

• Rated: Very Difficult

• Ave Duration: 2-3 hours

• Pets: Not Allowed

• Trail Specifics:

  • Ascends 1000 ft

  • Granite stairs and slopes, iron rungs, sheer cliffs, and rocky trails

  • Descending precipice is dangerous and not advised

  • Not recommended for young children

Ocean Path Trail

I would be remiss if I didn’t include the Ocean Path Trail on this list of things to do. This mostly-level hike takes you along the coastline from Sand Beach to Otter Point. Kids will love exploring Sand Beach and climbing the rocks for great ocean views. If you can, get there in time to see the sunrise. 

Along the way, there are many paths off the main trail to climb the rocks, check out the tidepools, or sit and rest. One of those stepping-off points will take you to Thunder Hole, which is best viewed at high tide. The steps to view the opening are easy, and there are also restrooms and a gift shop. 

• Distance: 4.4 miles round trip

• Rated: Easy

• Ave Duration: 2-4 hours

• Pets: Allowed

• Trail Specifics:

  • Starts at the beach

  • Concrete and packed gravel surfaces

Bar Island Trail

During low tide, a dry sand bar connects the town of Bar Harbor to the forested Bar Island in Frenchman Bay. You can hike across the bar along Bar Island Trail. Along the way, explore tide pools or hike to the high point on the island for great views of Bar Harbor and the nearby mountains.

Plan ahead because the trail is only accessible 1.5 hours before and after low tide. If the tide comes in and you get stuck on the other side, you will have to pay the ferry to get you back.

• Distance: 1.9 miles round trip

• Rated: Easy

• Ave Duration: 45-90 minutes

• Pets: Allowed

• Trail Specifics: Time your hike carefully to allow adequate return time based on the tides.

Jordon Pond Loop Trail

The Jordan Pond Loop is an easy hike that starts on the south shore of Jordan Pond and travels along its shoreline. This trail will take you to one of the most iconic Acadia landscapes. Views include a steep valley carved out by the retreat of glaciers. Along the trail, you will find a combination of dirt paths, raised log planks, and some boulder scrambling at the far end of the lake. 

• Distance: 3.3 miles loop

• Rated: Easy

• Ave Duration:1-3 hours

• Pets: Allowed

• Trail Specifics:

  • Uneven footing on wooden boardwalks, rocks, and footbridges

  • Jordan Pond is a public water supply, so wading and swimming are prohibited 

Bubbles Hike

The Bubbles hike allows for some of the most famous views in the park. This moderate hike provides views overlooking Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. Grab a selfie at Bubble Rock on this easy and popular hike. Perched on the eastern edge of South Bubble’s summit is this geological example of a glacial erratic—a giant boulder moved and left by ancient glaciers. It is considered the most famous rock in all of Maine. This trail also provides easy access to North Bubble.

• Distance: 1.5 miles loop

• Rated: Easy

• Ave Duration:60-90 minutes

• Pets: Allowed

• Trail Specifics:

  • Forested path

  • Steep rocky sections

  • Exposed granite

  • Wide stairs

Gorham Mountain Trail

The Gorham Mountain Trail passes through spruce forests before climbing above the Cadillac Cliffs to the 525-foot summit. You can see Otter Point to the south, Sand Beach to the east, the Beehive to the north, and Cadillac Mountain to the west.

• Distance: 3.5 miles loop

• Rated: Moderate

• Ave Duration:1-3 hours

• Pets: Allowed

• Trail Specifics: The trail is rocky with uneven footing.

Cadillac Cliffs Trail

Connect to the Cadillac Cliffs Trail from the Gorham Mountain Trail for a short hike. On this trail, you will find an old sea cave and pass through a granite tunnel. The spur reconnects with the Gorham Mountain Trail at the Waldron Bates memorial plaque. This section of the trail is much more challenging to navigate than Gorham Mountain Trail. You will need to navigate rungs and ladders and scramble over rocks. At the end, you will encounter a steep granite stair climb as it meets up with the Gorham Mountain loop. You can stay on Gorham Mountain Trail to skip this more difficult section.

• Distance: 0.3 miles

• Rated: Very difficult

• Ave Duration:1-3 hours

• Pets: Not Allowed

• Trail Specifics:

  • Rung and ladders

  • Steep grade

  • Rocky uneven surfaces

Acadia Mountain Trail

Acadia Mountain Trail is a great hiking option on the quieter west side of the park. It offers fantastic views of Mount Desert Island, Echo Lake, and Somes Sound. This popular hike includes rock scrambling and granite formations.

• Distance: 2.5 miles

• Rated: Difficult

• Ave Duration: 2-4 hours

• Pets: Allowed

• Trail Specifics:

  • Ascends 700 ft

  • Rocky, uneven surfaces

  • Steep grades

  • Steady climbs

Acadia National Park Hikes

As you can see, Acadia National Park has something for everyone! Whether you want to take an easy stroll, a moderate hike, or an intense full-day adventure, there is something to fit your abilities. So, no matter your skill level, be sure to check out one of the hikes listed here next time you are in Acadia National Park. One thing is for sure: nature and beauty await! Most importantly – make memories that will last a lifetime as you experience the beauty of Acadia first-hand with one of these amazing hikes.

So Much More in Acadia

Now that you have chosen your next Acadia National Park hike, be sure to check everything that Acadia has to offer below!

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