The Best Hiking in Bar Harbor

The Bar Harbor shore path is a simple walking trail that runs along the eastern shore of Mt. Desert Island. There's little to no elevation change since it's on the water's edge, but the views of this picturesque harbor are always worthwhile.  Despite being a mellow walk, this is something you really have to do with each visit to Bar Harbor. If you've never visited before, there are signs along...

The Bar Island Trail is something I was a little hesitant to do at first, mainly because of my tendency to wander and take a lot longer on a trail than I anticipate. This trail is unique in that you can only access it and Bar Island at low tide by foot (crossing the sand bar) or if you have 4 wheel drive, you can drive out to the island.  A warning in advance: the tide comes in extremely fast ...

The Cadillac North Ridge Trailhead is accessible through Paradise Hill Road once you enter the park through the Hulls Cove Entrance. When driving on route 3 in Bar Harbor, keep an eye out for a sign that says "Acadia National Park Hulls Cove Entrance, Visitor Center Right Lane". Stay in the right lane and drive a little farther down and the lane turns into the Hulls Cove Entrance. Take a left o...

This hike starts from the parking lot of Sieur de Monts Nature Center parking lot, walking on the Wild Gardens Path to the Tarn Trail.  This is a section of the Kane Path so you will not see any mention of a Tarn Trail on the maps for Acadia National Park. The trail runs right along the lake edge which is very rocky the entire length. However, the park service has done a great job moving large ...

This easy hike starts over a wooden foot bridge to the left of the Wild Gardens Of Acadia.  Here you will take a right on the Jesup Path paralleling the gardens.  You will soon cross the Hemlock Road which will be where you return.  The path now becomes a boardwalk taking you along a boggy area of white birch.  The boardwalk will end as the trail passes the Hemlock Road again.  Here you will ta...

To find the trail head, drive out of Bar Harbor down Route 3. There are no signs for the trailhead or for parking, so as soon as you pass Tarn Lake on the right, you can pull off and park on the side of the road. Elevation on the ladder trail starts immediately and doesn't let up until you reach the summit, which is the downside of summiting a 1200ft mountain in one mile. The trail is 90% rock...

Seeing the sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain is an absolute must when in Acadia National Park. Not only is it awesome to catch the first sunrise in the U.S., but the views from Cadillac Mountain are unparalleled. At 1,532 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, and because of it's close proximity to the ocean, it feels even higher than inland mountain t...

The Precipice Trail is one of the most well known trails in Acadia, probably for its difficulty and the fact that it is along the exposed edge of Champlain Mountain.  Much of this trail is more of a climb rather than a usual hike.  You will have to climb and scramble over large rocks as well as climb iron rungs and ladders.  Additionally, there are sections where you are just standing on a smal...

Bubble Rock is a well-known natural wonder in Acadia National Park.  This large boulder, which was carried by powerful glaciers, is resting precariously on the edge of the summit of South Bubble.  Due to its fairly accessible location, it is a common stop for visitors to the park. The trail begins at The Bubbles Parking lot along the Park Loop Road.  The lot is small and will fill up quickly, ...

This 1.6 mile round trip trail starts with a moderate grade as you leave the sand beach parking area. After a half a mile you will see a rock pile and you have the option of heading strait for the slower sloping (but less views) trail ahead of you or you can turn to the right and see the steep trail up the Beehive. If you look hard you will be able to make out some of the hikers scrambling alon...

The Bowl is a small pond nestled in the mountains of Acadia National Park.  Although it is a great way to relax after completing the challenging Beehive Trail, it can also be reached via a less strenuous out-and-back hike that is just under 1.5 miles. The trailhead is located on Park Loop Road, just across from the Sand Beach parking lot.  After 0.2 miles on the Bowl Trail, you will reach a ju...

To begin the Great Head Trail hike, you'll want to park at the parking lot for Sand Beach located on the Park Loop Road. From the parking lot, you will cross the beach entirely, which is a nice morning walk in itself, especially on the foggy days Acadia is famous for. When you reach the end of the beach, the Beehive (small mountain beyond the tidal pools) will be to your left. There is a sign ...

Sand Beach is located off the Park Loop Road on the east side of Mt. Desert Island. Signs for the beach will make it difficult to miss.  Once there you can park your car and walk down some steps to the beach. There are restrooms and changing areas close by. On the beach you will be able to lay under the sun, or check out the nearby tide pools and rocks. Checking tide times and sunrise times...

A natural phenomenon caused by waves crashing into a narrow inlet, Thunder Hole is a sight worth seeing in Acadia National Park.  As the waves rush in and out of the small cavern at the end of the inlet, the water collides with trapped air, creating a loud thunderous sound.  The splash of the water can reach up to 40 feet when the elements are just right.  The best conditions for experiencing t...

Gorham Mountain Trail is one of the relatively shorter and easy trails in Acadia National Park, and it's a perfect morning spot to catch a sunrise in Acadia (much less crowded than the highly-visited Cadillac Mountain). To access the trail head, you'll need to drive into the park and down the Park Loop Road. A good access point if you're driving out of Bar Harbor on Route 3 is to turn left ont...

Pemetic Mountain is a challenging hike in the Jordan Pond area of Acadia National Park.  There are several route options to the summit, with varying levels of difficulty.  The most common route is a loop hike starting from the Jordan Pond parking lot.  This option ascends the South Ridge Trail, which involves a longer, steadier climb to the top.  Be aware that although the trail starts on a mai...