Top Things to do in Acadia National Park
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Things to do in Acadia National Park, DownEast and Acadia Maine: The Best Hiking Trails
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1. Precipice Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 251 reviews
Half-mile long trail for experienced hikers at Acadia.
Reviewed By SteelCity13 - Austin, United States
Really enjoyed the workout that I got this morning but I didnt expect to climb a mountain when I set out to do some hiking. This trail is INTENSE! Dont go if its raining or has been raining, get there early! Like 7 AM early. You dont want to do this trail when tons of people are on it. Its challenging but do able. You CANNOT be afraid of heights and do this trail. I think this trail is the craziness hike i have every done or will ever do. The one great thing about the hike is that there are metal rails everywhere to help you get up the straight up parts of the hike. If you want a challenge a big challenge then try this hike. Also remember that this hike is only one way!
2. Great Head Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By JC-Meg - Baltimore, United States
We thoroughly enjoyed this hike! Fantastic views. Well maintained portion until you reach the section which brings you onto the beach. At this point, our our local friend returned to the parking lot and drove to the beach area lot to pick us up. We managed the decent to the beach without too much difficulty but would warn less steady hikers to consider if this portion is necessary. As mentioned, you can easily drive to the other side. Beach area has parking and restrooms.
3. Heart of Acadia Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 87 reviews
Scenic 22-mile loop through Acadia National Park welcomes hikers, horseback riders and bikers along its scenic route.
Reviewed By kenj531 - Manalapan, United States
This can be done in about 4 hours seeing the main spots. You don't want to miss Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, and the cliffs overlooking Sand Cove especially. The gardens near the entrance are also worth seeing.
4. Beachcroft Path Trail
5. Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 564 reviews
Reviewed By 130ashleyb - Yountville, United States
Fun hike! After reading many reviews, my husband and I took this hike on our recent trip to Acadia. We knew that we needed to get there early, and so glad we did! If you get there any later than 10am you'll be less likely to find parking and the trail starts filling up- which means you'll be hanging on the side of a mountain waiting for 200 other people to scramble up the ladders. Quick warning for the fair skinned - this trail is 75% exposed to the sun, so make sure to apply sunscreen before you go.
6. Gorham Mountain Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 303 reviews
Reviewed By Cari93 - Lawrenceville, United States
This is an excellent moderate hike for those just starting off on Acadia's mountains or wanting something interesting without too much exertion of challenge. The trail is not that steep and although you are walking on rocks, it is never perilous. There are a couple of false summits with nice views. The top rewards you with views of the loop road and surrounding islands. For added adventure, you can take Cadillac Cliffs trail at the junction 3/4 way through; however, be aware there are some stone step climbing areas and 2 iron rungs you must climb up. The Cadillac Cliffs trail rejoins the Gorham Mountain Trail before the summit. You can hike back down the way you came or head down in the opposite direction, which will take you by the entrance to the Beehive trail. Be aware there are quite a few rocks to walk over here. Overall, it's a fun moderate hike for families, beginners, older hikers, or anyone wanting something fun but not too difficult.
7. Jordan Cliffs Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By melissabubash - Cincinnati, United States
Probably my favorite hike while in Acadia. Like others, I'd recommend going Jordan Cliff, Sargent, Penobscot. This allows for a steeper climb up and gradual descent down. Also, I enjoyed seeing panoramic views while going down Penobscot that you wouldn't see if going uphill towards Sargent. Plus, you would need to navigate steep grades and ladders going down Jordan Cliff. I don't do well with heights but after feeling confident on Precipice the day prior, I figured Jordan cliff would be about equal. Jordan Cliff has more spots that are exposed cliff ledges without handholds, so it was mentally a little challenging for me. Other sections do have ladder rungs to climb. Sargent was extremely windy (gale winds this day) but a fun experience. We did make one small turn which is easy to do because so many trails intersect, so I'd recommend a map. It ended up being much longer than 4.6 miles for us. Bonus was seeing a Porcupine on penobscot and watching him awhile.
8. Cadillac South Ridge Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Reslimpan - Boston, United States
Very nice hike with incredible views along the way. One of the better hikes I have been on. Some sections more challenging than other others, good shoes with good support recommended as well as a water bottle. Being preseason I had the trail pretty much to myself until lunchtime or so when more and more people showed up.
9. Penobscot Mountain Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By LoveAcadia123
A steep uphill climb, strenuous, lots of rocks to maneuver around/through. The view was stunning and so worth the tough climb up. There was a nice breeze at the top as well as yummy blueberries.
10. Long Pond Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Louetta - Georgetown, United States
There are two other reviews here, one on Long Pond and the other on Little Long Pond, both nice places, so I'll do both. Little Long Pond is along Rte. 3. Leave Seal Harbor heading toward Asticou and you'll see a little parking lot for the pond on your right. The ocean is on your left. For a small pond there's quite a few trails, some of which go some distance. Great for dog walking which is what the other reviewer did. Just start down a trial on either side of the pond and see where it leads. No facilities, moderate difficulty. Long Pond is quite different, maybe ten times larger, at least. You can access it at either end off Rte. 102. We go to the end down on the Southwest Harbor side. There are two ways to do this. First is to park at Echo Lake and enjoy that then we run out the entrance road where you pick up Lurvey Springs Rd., a dirt road which leads over to Long Pond. You can drive or bike it. Approaching Long Pond you get back on a paved road and go down a steep hill where you find the parking lot for Long Pond. Second way is to drive out to Rte. 102, turn right, right again on Seal Cove Rd. and right finally on Long Pond Rd. bringing you into the parking lot. Once there if we're alone I strip and skinny dip in the pond but you need a guard because people suddenly appear coming down that hill. I've gotten caught. There are plenty of trails. On the left is a trail along the pond and a separate trail heading off to Mansell Mountain and Great Notch. On the right there are trails which will end up near the entrance to the Beech Mountain trail. This is also a great place to kayak. You can go all the way up to Northern Neck and then much further all the way to the canoe and kayak center on the other end where you hit 102 again. You really need a map to see all the places you can walk and go on the water. No facilities so bring whatever you need though you are close enough to town to even go in an stop for lunch.
