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Southwest Harbor, Maine

Looking for the best hiking in Southwest Harbor? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Southwest Harbor. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Southwest Harbor

  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Hike Sargent Mountain via South Ridge Trail

    4.4 mi / 1400 ft gain
    This has been one of my favorite winter adventures that I have had in a long time. There were gorgeous views of Somes Sound, we saw three snowy owls and there is a gorgeous  frozen waterfall on the way up to the summit! Because much of the Park Loop Road is closed in winter, we started our hike ...
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  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Hike around Jordan Pond

    4.8
    3.23 mi
    If you ever find yourself in Acadia National Park, be sure to check out Jordan Pond. Jordan Pond is a 3.6 mile long pond sitting in the heart of Mt. Desert Island. The shoreline of the pond has amazing views of the The Bubbles, which are two similar mountains that resemble "bubbles". The pond has...
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  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Hike Pemetic Mountain in Acadia NP

    5.0
    3.81 mi / 1000 ft gain
    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, w...
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  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Hike Parkman Mountain

    4.0
    3.06 mi / 748 ft gain
    Parkman Mountain is already a lesser-hiked trail in the summer, and if you snowshoe it in the winter, it is very likely you’ll have the entire mountain to yourself. It offers exceptional views, a good amount of exposure, and solitude that is inspiring. From Parkman Mountain Parking area, walk pa...
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  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Hike Acadia's 6 Peak Circuit

    6.26 mi / 1373 ft gain
    Park yourself at Parkman Mountain Parking Area, a small lot located off of Route 3.  Remember to arrive early as this parking lot fills up quickly.  Load up your pack, grab your water, and maneuver your way through the carriage roads until you reach the Bald Peak Trailhead.  After a mile climb up...
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  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Camp at Blackwoods Campground in Bar Harbor

    5.0
    Blackwoods Campground is one of two campgrounds located within Acadia National Park. Since the park does not permit backcountry camping, options to stay outdoors in the actual park are limited to this campground and the Seawall Campground further south on Mt. Desert Island. There are places to ca...
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  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Off-season Camp at Blackwoods Campground

    0.75 mi
    When we saw that the weather in Acadia was going to be mid 40's and sunny in March, we decided we had to go. However, when you go in March there are a lot of different things about Acadia National Park that are helpful to know.First of all, it is recommended that you camp at Blackwoods Campground...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Explore Otter Point

    5.0
    1.1 mi
    If you only have an hour or so left to your day in Acadia, Otter Point offers some amazing views of the coastline, without being on a crowded beach. An easy mellow trail just inland from the shore allows you easy access to iconic places such as Otter Cliffs, Thunder Hole, and Monument Cove. Hike ...
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  • Mount Desert, Maine

    Hike the Bubbles Divide Trail to Bubble Rock in Acadia NP

    4.7
    1.16 mi / 300 ft gain
    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 begi...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Gorham Mountain Trail

    4.7
    1.64 mi / 525 ft gain
    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 Pa...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Thunder Hole

    3.8
    0.17 mi / 29 ft gain
    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 wat...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Ocean Path and Gorham Mountain Loop Trail

    5.0
    3.14 mi / 692 ft gain
    Ocean Path and Gorham Mountain Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Bar Harbor, Maine.
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Hike the Great Head Trail in Acadia NP

    5.0
    1.9 mi / 275 ft gain
    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 t...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Relax at Sand Beach, Acadia National Park

    4.5
    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 la...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Hike the Beehive Trail, Acadia National Park

    4.9
    1.35 mi / 512 ft gain
    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 tr...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Hike to The Bowl in Acadia NP

    4.5
    1.24 mi / 350 ft gain
    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, ...
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