Acadia National Park packs over 150 miles of hiking trails into a relatively compact stretch of Mount Desert Island and the surrounding coastline. That density means you can hike a heart-pounding iron rung route in the morning and stroll a flat lakeside path after lunch, all without moving your car.
We have spent years hiking every corner of this park. Here are the 12 trails that keep us coming back, ranked by the experiences that make them worth the trip.
1. Precipice Trail
Distance: 1.6 miles round trip | Difficulty: Strenuous (Class 3 scramble) | Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
Precipice is the most exhilarating hike in Acadia, period. Iron rungs, ladders, and narrow ledges carry you up the east face of Champlain Mountain with exposure that will test your nerve. The views from the top stretch across Frenchman Bay to the Schoodic Peninsula.
Know before you go: Precipice closes from mid-March through mid-August for peregrine falcon nesting. Check the NPS website for current status. This is not a trail for anyone uncomfortable with heights or for young children.
2. The Beehive Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles round trip | Difficulty: Strenuous (exposed scramble) | Elevation Gain: 450 ft
The Beehive delivers a Precipice-like experience in a shorter, slightly less intense package. Iron rungs and ladders guide you up exposed cliff faces with Sand Beach directly below. On a clear morning, the contrast between turquoise water and pink granite is unforgettable.
Tip: Start early. The parking lot at Sand Beach fills by 9 AM in summer, and this trail gets crowded fast.
3. Cadillac South Ridge Trail
Distance: 7.4 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 1,350 ft
Most people drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Walking up the South Ridge is a completely different experience. The trail crosses open granite ledges for much of its length, offering panoramic views that gradually expand as you climb. On clear days, you can see Katahdin to the north.
Why we love it: The long exposed ridge walk feels more like the Scottish Highlands than the Maine coast. It is the most rewarding moderate hike in the park.
4. Acadia Mountain Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles loop | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 700 ft
Acadia Mountain sits on the quieter west side of Mount Desert Island and delivers the best views of Somes Sound, the only fjord on the U.S. East Coast. The summit ledges face west, making this an exceptional sunset hike.
Pro tip: Combine with the connecting trail to St. Sauveur Mountain for a longer loop with added solitude.
5. Pemetic Mountain
Distance: 4.4 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous | Elevation Gain: 1,150 ft
Pemetic is the most underrated summit in Acadia. Standing between Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain, it offers views in every direction with a fraction of the crowds. The trail from the Bubble Rock parking area crosses open slabs with blueberry bushes that fruit in late July and August.
6. Gorham Mountain Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles loop (via Cadillac Cliffs) | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 525 ft
Take the Cadillac Cliffs variant on the way up for a dramatic passage through narrow crevices and sea caves, then summit Gorham Mountain for wide-open coastal views. This loop connects to Sand Beach, making it easy to pair with a swim on a hot day.
7. Champlain North Ridge Trail
Distance: 2.2 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous | Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
This trail climbs the exposed north ridge of Champlain Mountain with nearly continuous views of Frenchman Bay. It is less crowded than the Precipice and Beehive routes on the same mountain, and the wide-open granite ridge walking is some of the best in the park.
8. Dorr Mountain
Distance: 3.6 miles round trip (via Dorr North Ridge) | Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous | Elevation Gain: 1,270 ft
Dorr stands right next to Cadillac but sees a tiny percentage of the traffic. The north ridge approach passes through beautiful birch forest before breaking onto open ledge. You can traverse to Cadillac via the A. Murray Young Path for a point-to-point option.
9. Jordan Pond Path
Distance: 3.3 miles loop | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: Minimal
A flat loop around one of the clearest lakes in Maine, framed by the rounded summits of the Bubbles. The northern end has a short boardwalk section over rocky terrain, but the rest is smooth gravel. Stop at the Jordan Pond House afterward for their famous popovers.
Best for: Families, anyone wanting a peaceful walk with world-class scenery.
10. Ocean Path
Distance: 4.4 miles out and back | Difficulty: Easy | Elevation Gain: Minimal
Ocean Path follows the rocky coastline from Sand Beach to Otter Point, passing Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Boulder Beach along the way. This is the quintessential Acadia coastal walk. The trail is paved and mostly flat, making it accessible to nearly everyone.
11. Bubble Rock Trail
Distance: 1.0 mile round trip | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Elevation Gain: 300 ft
A short climb to one of Acadia’s most photographed features: a glacial erratic balanced on the edge of South Bubble. The rock looks like it could tip off at any moment (it cannot, it has sat there for roughly 18,000 years). The view over Jordan Pond from the summit is worth the effort even without the novelty.
12. Great Head Trail
Distance: 1.7 miles loop | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Elevation Gain: 200 ft
Great Head is a short loop on the peninsula east of Sand Beach that delivers dramatic cliff-top views over the Atlantic. The trail passes the ruins of a stone teahouse and granite outcrops that are perfect for watching lobster boats work the bay. It is one of the park’s hidden gems, often overlooked because of its proximity to the busier Sand Beach trailhead.
Planning Your Acadia Hikes
When to go: Late September through mid-October brings peak foliage and smaller crowds. Summer (June through August) has the best weather but the biggest crowds. May and early June are excellent if you can tolerate blackflies.
Parking: The Island Explorer shuttle is free and connects major trailheads from late June through Columbus Day. Use it. Parking in Acadia is the single biggest headache, especially at Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac.
Gear: Maine granite gets dangerously slippery when wet. Waterproof hiking boots with good tread are essential, not optional. Check out our hiking boot guide for recommendations tested on these exact trails.
Permits: A park entrance pass is required ($35 per vehicle for 7 days). No separate hiking permits are needed, though Cadillac Summit Road requires a vehicle reservation from late May through October.