Acadia National Park Hikes

Acadia National Park Hikes: Trails for Every Adventurer

Acadia National Park in Maine is a hiker’s paradise, offering more than 150 miles of trails through rugged coastline, granite peaks, quiet forests, and scenic lakes. Whether you're a seasoned trekker seeking adrenaline-pumping ascents or a family looking for a gentle walk with ocean views, Acadia has a trail for you. This guide covers the best hikes in the park—from iconic summits to serene nature strolls.

Why Hike in Acadia?

Hiking is one of the best ways to explore the diversity of Acadia’s landscapes. The park features an extraordinary mix of mountain and ocean scenery. Trails here range from short, family-friendly walks to steep climbs with metal rungs and ladders bolted into rock faces. Few national parks offer such a rich variety in such a compact area.

Best 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 Loop Trail

Jordan Pond Loop Trail

Jordan Pond Loop Trail

Jordan Pond Loop Trail

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: The Best of Both Worlds

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

Precipice Trail

Precipice Trail

Precipice Trail

Precipice Trail

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 Loop Trail

Beehive Loop Trail

Beehive Loop Trail

Beehive Loop Trail

Beehive Loop 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

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.

Final Thoughts

Hiking in Acadia National Park is an unforgettable way to experience the park’s natural beauty—from its soaring granite peaks to its tranquil forests and dramatic coastline. With trails suited to every level of hiker, Acadia is a destination that rewards both the adventurous and the contemplative.

Whether you're scaling the iron rungs of the Beehive, circling Jordan Pond on a peaceful afternoon, or catching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain’s summit, Acadia’s trails promise unforgettable moments around every bend.