Acadia National Park, located in Maine, is famous for its rocky coastline and fall foliage. The best part about this park is that there is truly a trail for everyone. From flat, easy walks along the water to scrambles up cliff faces, Acadia has it all. The best time to visit is October, when the leaves are at their peak. But regardless of the season, here are the best hikes in Acadia National Park.
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5 Best Hikes in Acadia National Park
1. Ocean Path
Difficulty ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Elevation Gain – 375 ft
Total Length – 4.5 miles out and back
Ocean Path is a must- do for all trip itineraries. It’s an easy, flat trail that runs along the coastline and has spectacular views of the rocky shore. Ocean Path runs from Sand Beach to Otter Point and has multiple lookout points along the way, the most notable of which are Thunder Hole and Boulder Beach. This is a dog and family friendly trail that is great for all ages. If you’re planning to walk the whole trail, the best place to park is in the parking lot at Sand Beach. Otherwise, you can drive along the coastline and park at the look-out spots along the way.
2. North & South Bubbles
Difficulty ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Elevation Gain – 870 ft
Total Length – 1.6 miles out and back
The North and South Bubbles are two look-out points over Jordan Pond. The trail to them is an easy hike and is one of the best spots for leaf-peeping in the fall. I recommend hiking both Bubbles, but if you have to choose one, the South has superior views. The parking lot at the trailhead is tiny and fills up very fast, since this hike is so popular. It’s always best to get there early, but if you arrive and it’s full, I recommend staying there and waiting it out. Since the trail is so short, the parking turnaround is pretty fast.
3. Beehive
Difficulty ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Elevation gain – 450 ft
Total Length – 1.0 mile loop
The Beehive trail is the easier of the two most technical hikes in the park. The trail is full of narrow switchbacks that have you clutching iron rungs as you walk along the edge of the mountain. There are also vertical ladders and patches of scrambling that keep you constantly on your toes. This trail is not for you if you’re scared of heights. However, it’s a great trial run if you’re thinking of hiking Precipice. At the summit, there’s a great view out towards the water, but the best lookouts on the hike are along the steep drop-offs on the climb up. Thankfully, this hike is a loop and has a gently sloping walking trail on the way down.
4. The Bowl
Difficulty ★ ☆☆ ☆ ☆
Elevation Gain – 450 ft
Total Length – 1.3 mile loop
This trail is an easy loop that takes you to see The Bowl, which is a picturesque lake hidden up in the mountains. You can hike this as a stand-alone trail, or add it on as an extension of the Beehive. I recommend taking this loop in the early evening when the sun is low in the sky. The Bowl looks the most beautiful at golden hour, and the trail is short enough that you won’t have to hike back in the dark.
5. Precipice
Difficulty ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Elevation Gain – 1,400 ft
Total Length – 2-2.5 mile loop
Precipice is the most adventurous and technically challenging hike in Acadia. It has you scrambling up boulder fields, climbing up iron rungs and skirting along rock faces. If you’re up for this type of challenge, this trail is a ton of fun. I’d equate it to a large jungle gym for adults.
The trail immediately starts off strong with a steep boulder field to warm you up. It then continues as a narrow pathway along the side of the mountain with sweeping views of the foliage below. The hike ends with iron rungs on an almost vertical smooth rock slab and takes you up to enjoy the summit of Champlain Mountain.
Like The Beehive trail, this trail is a loop, so you don’t have to traverse the same technical challenges on the way down. The best way to get down is by taking the Champlain North Ridge trail to the Orange & Black Path. Soon after starting the Orange & Black Path trail there is a fork where the path splits. Take the left! This will lead you onto Park Loop Road and enables you to avoid climbing down the boulder field at the start of the hike.
Acadia is the perfect park for all ages and athletic abilities. One of the great things about it is that the best hikes in Acadia National Park are all under 5 miles. This is one of the top spots in the US for family-friendly hiking and is a place that I recommend for everyone’s bucket list.
Happy Hiking,
Kira
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