Walks and Hikes

By chy Posted on Nature

Nature Trails and Short Hikes

Jordan Pond Nature Trail. There are two self-guided nature trails in the park. The Jordan Pond Nature Trail begins and ends near the Jordan Pond House, making a smooth 1-mile loop along the shore and through nearby fields and wooded areas. Interpretive pamphlets provide information on natural and park history at selected points along the loop, which takes about 45 minutes to complete.

Ship Harbor Nature Trail. This 1.3-mile loop covers slightly hilly ground; it begins off Route 102A on the island's western lobe, not far from the Seawall Campground. This trail cuts through the woods to the shore and follows a section of pink granite shoreline along an inlet filled with striking deep-green water. Pamphlets are available for this trail, which takes close to an hour to hike.

Bubble Rock Trail. The 1.2-mile round-trip Bubble Rock Trail is accessible from the Park Loop Road at the north end of Jordan Pond. The trail climbs over steep grades and level areas to the top of South Bubble Mountain, where the famous Bubble Rock perches on the edge of a cliff. The view of Jordan Pond is outstanding.

Jordan Pond Shore Path. A slightly longer trail in the same area as the Bubble Rock Trail is the Jordan Pond Shore Path, a moderately strenuous 3.3-mile loop that essentially follows the pond's shoreline.

Longer Hikes

Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail. Acadia is better known for short to moderate hikes than for long ones, simply because the lay of the land is not conducive to extensive hikes or backcountry expeditions. By combining several shorter trails, however, one can hike for miles. One of the longest trails is the strenuous Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail, which begins just south of the entrance to Blackwoods Campground. The 7.4-mile (round-trip) trail heads north and climbs steadily through the woods, eventually cutting above the treeline to the summit of Cadillac. This isn't a loop, so prepare for a long day of hiking unless you have a car waiting for you at the summit parking area.

North Ridge Trail. A more moderate route to the top of Cadillac is the 4.4-mile North Ridge Trail, which includes some steep grades and level stretches through woods and over rocky areas. The trail begins at the North Ridge Cadillac Parking Area, on the Park Loop Road just after it becomes one-way; this, too, is not a loop.

Sargent and Penobscot Mountains. A good loop to do in a less-trafficked part of the park is the 7-mile climb over Sargent and Penobscot mountains from the trailhead off Route 198/3, 3 miles north of Northeast Harbor. The trail climbs over the exposed rocky peaks, which are 1,373 and 1,194 feet, respectively, providing ocean views and a good workout. The park staff gives this hike a strenuous rating.

Champlain Mountain. A somewhat shorter hike is the ascent up Champlain Mountain, which is 3.2 miles round-trip. Hikers park their cars on Route 3 near the Tarn, a small reservoir, and hike on a gently switchbacking, stone-lined path through a young birch forest. The trail gains elevation quickly but fairly effortlessly to a small summit known as Huguenot Head, and becomes more rigorous as it climbs to Champlain Mountain, elevation 1,058 feet. Some hand-over-hand bouldering is required near the top.

Precipice Trail. The trail to Champlain Mountain connects with several others at the summit, including the fabled Precipice Trail, which is extremely exposed and not recommended for timid climbers. The panoramic view at the top of Champlain includes a fine vista of the ocean and looming Dorr Mountain to the west.

Beech Mountain. A beautiful hike near Southwest Harbor and Seawall Campground is the ascent of Beech Mountain. Two trails depart from the south shore of Long Pond (not to be confused with the Long Pond near Seal Harbor). One follows the lakeshore for a distance, then climbs steeply up to the summit on a loose, rocky trail. There is an old observation tower at the summit, which is 839 feet above sea level. To descend to the same parking area, a slightly longer and definitely more beautiful trail winds down the mountain through rich forest strewn with interesting large boulders. The hike is roughly 3 miles round-trip.