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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

    Camp at Mount Desert Campground on Somes Sound

    5.0
    Being in the center of Mt. Desert Island, you are just a quick drive to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor.This campground offers waterfront and off-waterfront sites.  The waterfront is right along Somes Sound and offers amazing views at anytime of the day.  We went during off season (no reserva...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Summit Dorr Mountain via the Ladder Trail

    5.0
    3.6 mi / 1100 ft gain
    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...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Precipice Trail of Champlain Mountain

    5.0
    2.0 mi / 1000 ft gain
    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 c...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Hike the Jesup Path & Hemlock Road Loop

    1 mi
    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 o...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    HIke the Dorr Mountain Loop via the Tarn Trail

    4.75 mi / 1100 ft gain
    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...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Cadillac North Ridge Trail

    5.0
    4.15 mi / 1530 ft gain
    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...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Bar Island Trail

    5.0
    1.9 mi / 160 ft gain
    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 anticipated. 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-wh...
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  • Bar Harbor, Maine

    Walk the Bar Harbor Shore Path

    4.0
    1.21 mi / 30 ft gain
    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 re...
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  • Winter Harbor, Maine

    Ravens Nest, Schoodic Peninsula

    4.5
    0.12 mi / 20 ft gain
    Ravens Nest is located east of Mt Desert Island south of Winter Harbor Maine. Taking the Schoodic Loop Road will get you to the pull off that you need to find Ravens Nest. There will be three pull offs on the side of the road, the third one will be for Ravens Nest that has a little unmarked trail...
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  • Blue Hill, Maine

    Hike Blue Hill Mountain

    2 mi / 600 ft gain
    There are two main trailheads to access the mountain, both of which have various ways of getting up. One easy trail that has only a few steep sections is the Osgood trail. Start by parking at the Osgood parking lot. Cross the street, and follow the well marked trail up. Cross a small bridge, and ...
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  • Isle au Haut, Maine

    Camp at Acadia National Park's Duck Harbor

    8.85 mi / 150 ft gain
    Introduction Didn't think there was backpacking to be done in Acadia National Park?  Think again!  Isle au Haut (pronounced "isle ah ho") is a little island off of Stonington, Maine.  Half of the island is a quiet and quaint New England island community and the other half is part of Acadia Natio...
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  • Dedham, Maine

    Bald Mountain Loop

    5.0
    1.55 mi / 505 ft gain
    Bald Mountain Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Holden, Maine.
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  • Camden, Maine

    Hike Mount Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park

    2.9 mi / 1000 ft gain
    After driving in to Camden Hills State Park, there is a fork where you can go straight (to the campgrounds) or left (to head up Mount Battie). Take a left and then park in the parking lot immediately on your right. That is the trailhead to Mount Megunticook! The trail itself winds through the tre...
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  • Camden, Maine

    Explore Mount Battie

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 669 ft gain
    The summit of Mount Battie is accessible from either the front trail that is located just outside of the state park, or there is an auto road that leads up to the summit within the park (the location drop pin reflects the route within the park). To access the front trail, the trailhead is on moun...
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  • Mariaville, Maine

    Mariaville Falls

    1.3 mi / 180 ft gain
    Mariaville Falls is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Ellsworth, Maine.
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  • Clifton, Maine

    Eagle Bluff North Summit

    5.0
    0.57 mi / 213 ft gain
    Eagle Bluff North Summit is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Eddington, Maine.
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