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5 Mountains in Mount Desert Island That You Shouldn't Miss
Mount Desert (pronounced “dessert”) Island is the largest isle in Maine and the second largest on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Though it boasts a small residential community, Mount Desert claims more than two million visitors each year; all of whom are enamored with its quaint feel, stunning beaches, and access to saltwater and freshwater lakes. Popular water activities include kayaking, fishing, and canoeing, though many prefer to take in amazing sunrises and scenic vistas while exploring one of the island’s 25 trails.
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1. Cadillac Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,467 reviews
The East Coast's highest mountain at 1,530 feet and Acadia's best known sight.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island is, at 1, 532 feet, the highest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard and the first place in the United States to be touched by the light of a rising sun from October 7 through March 6 of each year. How's that for a notable piece of trivia? It also is the only mountain on Mount Desert Island--there are more than 20 of them--that has a road that travels all the way to the summit. The 3.5-mile road to the top opened in 1931. Cadillac Mountain is composed largely of pink granite, giving it a strong reddish appearance at sunrise or sunset. Spruce and pitch pine are the dominant trees on the mountain combined with tiny subalpine plants and wild blueberries. Views? Look in every direction. To the East, there is the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland. There are several islands off the coast of Mount Desert Island, including Sheep Porcupine and Bald Porcupine. To the Northeast is the business district of Bar Harbor. To the North is Trenton. To the South is Islesford. To the Southwest is Southwest Harbor. To the West is Eagle Lake and Blue Hill Mountain. Yes, it is more scenic than a trip to the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado.
2. Penobscot Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By JCWillow
We took Spring Trail from Jordan Pond House to Penobscot Mountain Trail and returned via Sargent South Ridge and Amphitheater Trails. It was a beautiful, moderately strenuous hike with some steps, scrambles, and a few brook crossings. Beautiful views from the summit and all along the walk up. We are in our 50s and hike regularly, recommend poles especially for tricky knees.
3. Mansell Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By mynameispaulie - Shelton, United States
First off I have never been to the main Acadia island, my wife and I stayed on the quiet side during our first visit as the Island shuttle bus was not running which hindered our plans. However, we covered pretty much all the trails on the quiet side during our 3 day stay (with the exception of Bernard Mountain). For this hike we started at the long pond parking area. We started along the Long Pond Trail before ascending up the Perpendicular Trail to Mansell Mountain, then came down the Mansell Mountain Trail. Next, we went along the Gilley Trail and up the Razorback Trail before a slight descent to Great Notch. Then we took a detour up to Knight Nubble and back to Great Notch before returning on the Great Notch Trail and the Gilley Trail. All the trails were great and had their own distinct features, the only one I didn't really enjoy was coming down the Great Notch Trail, perhaps I was just tired at this point but it was mostly rocks and roots and felt like being in a river bed with nothing really exciting to see, I just wanted it to be over. I think if I were to do it again I would continue from Knight Nubble to Little Notch and try coming down the Sluiceway Trail instead. The whole trip took about 5 hours. Anyway, the Mansell Mountain peak had some okay views to the east, and the Mansell Mountain Trail itself was a pretty steep decent over a string of domes. It was enjoyable without being too difficult. I was surprised by how steep some of the descent was. I also have a crippling fear of heights but I survived. Throughout the whole hike the only part that I struggled was some sections of the Razorback Trail (where you climb over a slippery dome), and going up to Knight Nubble and back has some hairy sections where you need to use roots and careful stepping and maneuvers, so I would say maybe skip that part (another reason to push on to Little Notch so not having to climb back down). Overall the Mansell Mountain Trail was an enjoyable section in order to connect going to the Perpendicular Trail and the Razorback Trail and it was different from anything else we had done.
4. Pemetic Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By jamieleigh84 - London, Canada
There are 4 routes up to the summit, and we chose the most difficult, the Northwest route, up from the Bubbles parking lot. This was a very challenging hike/climb, with a lot of scrambling over rocks. We took the ravine path going up (which was very cool), and came down the ledge route (which I slid down on my butt). This was quite a hard hike, but we were rewarded by the amazing views at the top.
5. Day Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Acadia National Park mountain where visitors can take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Reviewed By LoneStarDad
The Day Mountain trail is fairly easy and even though the summit is barely under 600 feet above sea level, the views to the south overlooking the Cranberry Islands are worthy of a much more difficult climb. The best views are actually before you reach the actual summit from an outcropping near the top. A carriage trail also winds up the side of Day Mountain and the trail crosses the road two or three times on the way up. There are no real challenges along the way so the trail is suitable for anyone in reasonably good health and fitness level.
