Top Things to do in Acadia National Park
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What to do and see in Acadia National Park, DownEast and Acadia Maine: The Best Things to do Good for Couples
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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. 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. Carriage Roads
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 539 reviews
Reviewed By LPLoveToTravel - Ocala, United States
The carriage road system's intent was to provide access to the inner beauty of Mount Desert Island. Designed with the natural contours of the land to minimize impact and to maximize views it's the perfect place to hike or bike ride and really enjoy the solitude of nature.
4. 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.
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. 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.
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. Acadia Mountain Trail
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). We did this trail on our first day, going along the St Sauveur Mountain Trail which I believe is the easiest incline, before going around the Valley Peak loop and along the great views eastward on the Valley Peak Trail before a pretty hefty descent. I actually didn't realize the the Man O War Truck road and brook are at the low level, so we essentially hiked 2 mountain peaks as after crossing the brook we went up the big ascent to Robinson Mountain and Acadia Mountain. The Acadia Mountain peak being the best view of all in most Southern and Eastern directions, before the sharp descent back to the parking lot. The whole hike took about 5 hours but I enjoyed it all and would do it that way again. I feel like going to Acadia Mountain towards the end was more enjoyable followed by a quick descent to the parking lot. Whereas going in the other direction would be just as tough but would get slightly less interesting as it went along. We didn't get a chance to come back and do the Flying Mountain or Valley Cove Trails but we did go down to the Man O War Brook "overlook" down by the water. I also have a crippling fear of heights but had no problem at all on this trail, there are no real cliff edges to speak of.
