Amazing Acadia: Best Hikes for Everyone (13 Top Trails)

Acadia is one of the highlights of the Maine Coast and is full of fun and short little hikes. This article, Amazing Acadia: Best Hikes for Everyone, includes the 13 best trails including coastal strolls, challenging rock scrambles, and lovely lakeside walks. I’ve also included some general information about hiking in Acadia to make the most of your time in this beautiful place.

Looking for more to do in Acadia? Check out 15 Absolute Top Things to do in Acadia National Park for an Amazing Visit or The Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary For 1-4 Amazing Days.

As our closest National Park, we’ve visited Acadia many times over the years. This article outlines the best hikes based on our experience in the park.

Quick Look at the Best Hikes in Acadia

This list shows the best hiking trails in Acadia National Park. Read more below for details on each hike and suggestions for the best hikes for each person, such at the top easy hikes in Acadia National Park or the best hikes in Acadia with dogs.

Acadia Best Hikes

Below you can find details best trails in Acadia. You can find a variety of trails from mellow coastal walks, to steep hikes with built-in rungs and support. Scroll down for recommendations for the best day hikes in Acadia National Park for you.

Beehive Hike

The 1.5-mile Beehive Loop Trail is a classic Acadia hike and scales a small rocky outlook for incredible views out over the ocean. This trail is a challenging hike and ascends the rocky outcropping via a series of steep switchbacks, rung ladders, and some scrambling. This hike is for you if you are up for some adventure and don’t mind a bit of exposure and some steep drop-offs.

Many people consider this the best hike in Acadia. Due to its popularity, this trail can also get very crowded! The best time to do the Beehive hike is in the early morning or later in the day when the trail is dry.

To get to the beehive hike, park in the Sand Beach parking lot and cross the street to the trailhead. Hike this trail in a counterclockwise direction so you are ascending the steep section. The trail down from the top is much more gentle.

See more about hiking the Beehive Hike.

Precipice Trail

This 2.5 mile trail is challenging and involves several sections of vertical climbing with the use of rungs. Like the Beehive Trail, this is short and steep hike, offers tremendous views of Acadia, and has seen its share of injuries and falls. Use caution when hiking here.

The Precipice Trail takes you to the summit of Champlain Summit and ascends about 1000 feet over a mile. This trail is not for you if you have a fear of heights and you should plan to leave your dog and young kids behind.

The best wayt to hike the trail is as a loop – go up the Precipice Trail and down the Champlain North Ridge Trail to the Orange and Black Trail. This avoid downclimbing some of the steep section.

Great Head Trail

The Great Head Trail is one of the best hiking trails in Acadia if you are looking for a path along the rocky shore. The trail is under 2 miles depending on the exact route you take and winds along the shoreline with views out over the rocky shoreline to the crashing waves and ocean below. The trail is relatively easy, with some small rocky sections.

To access the trail, park at Sand Beach or the end of Schooner Point Rd and follow the trail along the coast. This is a popular trail so expect to see plenty of other people enjoying the walk as well.

Learn more about hiking the Great Head Trail in Acadia.

Ocean Path

The Ocean Path runs alongside the Park Loop Road for about 2 miles (making this a 4 mile round trip hike). This is one of the most crowded hikes in Acadia and is an easy, flat walk with paved and well-packed trails. The Ocean Path offers some of the best coastal views in Acadia. If you don’t want to do the entire walk, there are several parking lots along the way and you can hike as much as you like.

To walk the whole trail, park at Otter Cliffs or Sand Beach. If you time you visit for 2 hours before or after high tide, make sure to stop at Thunder Hole.

South Bubble Trail

Perched over Jordon Pond, the scraggly bald top of South Bubble provides and excellent view out across Jordon Pond to the ocean. You can hike the trail directly from the lot on the Park Road and make a nice loop, going up the steep section and down the more gentle trail (take a clockwise direction on the loop. You can also combine this short loop trail with a hike around Jordon Pond.

This is a steep little trail with a few extra handholds and rungs in the rock, but it’s not nearly as hard as the Beehive or Precipice Trail.

Learn more about hiking the South Bubble Trail.

Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain is famous for being one of the first (if not THE first) place in the United States to see the sunrise. Watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain is an Acadia right of passage. There are several ways to get to the summit and explore Cadillac Mountain.

The best way to hike is up the South Ridge Trail Loop. The trail is about 4 miles each way (8 miles round trip) and is considered moderate. You can also drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain but you will need to make a reservation in advance through the National Parks Service.

From the summit, enjoy panoramic views in every direction!

Ship Harbor/Wonderland Trail

To the West of the more popular part of the park, the Wonderland Trail is a short and easy walk out to the water. Try to visit during low tide and enjoy tide pooling and exploring, or pack a picnic to enjoy in the rocks. Since it’s a bit further out of the way, it is often less crowded. We were there on a weekend afternoon in August and while the parking lot was mostly full, it never felt crowded and we hung out for a long time on the rocks.

Beech Cliff Ladder Trail

This 2.2 mile trail is a wonderful little hike and also a bit more off the beaten path. A challenging hike with some ladders and rungs to help with the climbing, this hike is not as difficult as the Beehive or Precipice Trail. The Beech Cliff Trail is also not as exposed as these hikes.

Park at the Echo Lake Beach entrance and hike up the Beech Cliff Trail to the summit. From here you can make it a loop by coming down the Canada Cliffs Trail.

Jordon Cliffs Trail

Located over Jordon Pond, the Jordon Cliff Trail is a steeper option with views out across the water. The trail is steep but far less crowded than the Jordon Pond Trail described below. You can also combine with trail with the Jordon Pond Trail and even the South Bubble Trail to link together a longer hike.

Jordon Pond Trail

The Jordon Pond Trail is a 3.2 mile trail that goes right around the lovely Jordon Pond. The trail is easy walking and has views out across the water the entire hike. You can park near the Jordon Pond House or at the parking lot for South Bubble.

Our favorite way to enjoy this walk is to finish the hike with a stop at Jordon House Pond Restaurant to get some fresh popovers and tea. From this lovely spot set amid wildflowers, you have lovely view out across the lake towards South Bubble.

Sundew Trail

The Sundew Trail is definintely off the beaten path on the Schoodic Penninsula. You can drive to the penninsula or take a ferry and this short 2 mile hike is the perfect way to see the wild coast. A lovely little wander through the forest with views back toward Mount Desert Island, this is a great addition to your visit to the Schoodic Penninsula.

Bass Harbor Head Trail

This is a wonderful walk along the coast with the bonus a beautiful lighthouse. This is one of the most photographed lighthouses in New England and worth a visit.

This is a very short 15 minute hike and mostly an easy trail. Enjoy the rocky coastline and crashing waves.

Acadia Mountain

Acadia Mountain is a bit off the beaten path, making it less crowded than some of the other hikes. The trail itself winds its way up to a craggy peak from the shores of Echo Lake. From the top, you have views down into the lovely Somes Sound.

The trail can be done as a 2.5 mile loop, but there are many other ways to link this together into a longer hike. We like this trail because it offers a bit of everything and gives you so many options for hiking!

Recommendations of the Best Hikes in Acadia National Park

Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Acadia National Park

• Wonderland Trail
• Jordon Pond Trail
• Cadillac Mountain
• Great Head Trail

Best Easy Hikes: Acadia National Park

• Coastal Trail
• Wonderland Trail
• Jordon Pond Loop Trail
• Bass Harbor Head Trail

Best Hikes in Acadia for Views (Mountains)

• South Bubble
• Cadillac Mountain
• Jordon Cliff Trail
• Acadia Mountain

Best Hikes in Acadia for Views (Coast)

• Ocean Trail
• Great Head Trail
• Wonderland Trail
• Bass Harbor Head Trail

Top Hikes in Acadia National Park for a Challenge

• Beehive Trail
• Precipice Trail
• Jordon Cliff Trail
• Beech Cliffs Trail

Things to Know About Hiking in Acadia National Park

When is the Best Time of Year to Hike in Acadia?

Acadia offers year round appeal for exploring and hiking, although you will find the best hiking in the late spring until the snow falls in late fall. Sept and Oct are a wonderful time to explore Acadia when the leaves change colors. You can see the table below with the average temperature and precipitation during the year as well as the visitors.

Can you Hike with Your Dog in Acadia?

Acadia is one of the few National Parks that allow dogs. Dogs are primarily allowed on leash. There are a few hikes that don’t allow dogs, so always check before heading off. Trails like the Beehive and Precipice Trail are steep and don’t allow dogs.

Is Hiking in Acadia Hard?

There are many easy hikes in Acadia if you are looking for short trails that leas to incredible views. On the other hand many of these short trails are also steep and in some cases involve some scrambling and climbing. Compared to other National Parks, we found the hiking trail in Acadia to be easier.

Where to Stay When Hiking in Acadia

Acadia has many options for places to stay in every price range. If you are camping, there are a few campgrounds inside the park. Our favorite is Blackwoods as it is well located.

There are also many other nearby campgrounds many of them private with excellent facilities. We really loved camping at Mount Desert Campground. We stayed on a site right near the water. Book well in advance as they tend to fill up. Below are a few options of places to stay that get excellent reviews and are also well located near Bar Harbor:

• Atlantic Oceanside Hotel
• Bar Harbor Villager Motel 
• Chiltern Inn 

Acadia: Best Hikes