Acadia Nation Park Hikes
 

There are occasional requests for Acadia hiking information, so I thought I'd write a list of the hikes we did on our 10 day Sept. trip. We have been going to Acadia bi-annually for nearly 20 years, but usually for 5-7 days. We were concerned that 10 days might be too long...it was NOT!

<b>Hiking Acadia National Park</b>
by Delores Kong and Dan Ring

Just before our trip, I found that the book we had used for 4-5 trips had been updated. We found it very useful, and the color maps in the new version are very readable, the old book had b&w maps.

<b>Ocean Trail</b>
This is always our arrival day, ahhh...we are really here, hike. it's really more of a walk, but the scenery, plus the smell of ocean and pine can't be beat.

<b>Stratheden Trail & Hemlock Rd.</b>
A new one for us. Good for a foggy or drizzly day, walk in the woods.

<b>Beech Mountain, South Ridge, and Valley Trail loop</b>
One of our favorites. On the quiet side of MDI, good variety, great views from top.

<b>Deer Brook Trail via Jordan Pond Trail</b>
Another new one for us, and wins my vote for best hike if you only have one day and you
want variety and don't mind a bit of a challenge (more than 5 miles, and some steep areas and 3-4 point scrambling). Goes to top of Penobscot.

<b>Gorham Mountain Trail</b>
One of our favorites. Moderate hike, great views.

<b>Great Head Trail</b>
One we had done before, but not for a while. Really a great hike...wonderful views almost
the whole way.

<b>Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail</b>
Fairly long and somewhat strenuous to the 2nd tallest point in Acadia.

<b>Beehive Trail</b>
My husband wanted a challenge for his birthday, so chose this very vertical trail. He felt it
was less challenging than he had expected, but he doesn't have height issues. I walked
with the dog on the Ocean Trail while he did Beehive.

<b>Carriage Road above visitors center</b>
Great place to hike on a day rain is in the forecast (even though it didn't really
materialize). Fairly steep part to get up to road, but the rest is fairly flat 3-4 mile loop
around Witch Hole Pond. There are some great views at Paradise Hill. Other than squirrels, and a porcupine we saw one day near the loop road, this was the place we saw the most wildlife; frogs, turtles, and various birds.

<b>Cadillac South Ridge Trail</b>
Our typical last day "tough" trail. 7 mile round trip, some scrambling required, but the views are unbeatable, and there's a bathroom at the top...
Last time we did an up SR and down NR Cadillac hike, but I felt the NR part wasn't as scenic, and we opted for the round trip this time.

~Liz

We did Beehive over 6 years ago...I feared for my life. :-(

Goreham and Great head were my favsthis year.

We did Bubble rock before and did not do it this time.

Was a bit leary of Beehive before we started, but one we got into it, it was a great hike, or should I say climb. One member of our group was fairly short and she had more trouble reaching the ladders. Great views from top.

Clousie, that was my problem too with Beehive.
I did not think I would be able to pullmyself up ay one spot.
Thought I would have to call a helicopter in to rescue me.

Needless to say I made it, but it was a near thing. ;-)