elberko

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!

Hiking Acadia National Park
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.

Ocean Trail
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.

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

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

Deer Brook Trail via Jordan Pond Trail
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.

Gorham Mountain Trail
One of our favorites. Moderate hike, great views.

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

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

Beehive Trail
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.

Carriage Road above visitors center
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.

Cadillac South Ridge Trail
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

Judyrem

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.

Clousie

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.

Judyrem

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. ;-)