Located off and along the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is characterized by shimmering lakes and tranquil ponds, rocky coastlines, pine forests, and granite mountains.
Those mountains are, in fact, the highest on the entire Atlantic seaboard in the United States. Although it’s not the biggest of national parks in America, Acadia National Park does offer a wide variety of attractions and activities.
Along with scenic drives and enjoying breathtaking fall foliage, one of the most popular things to do in Acadia is hiking.
Numerous day hikes in Acadia National Park, from short seashore strolls to lengthy mountain climbs, bring outdoor enthusiasts to beautiful surf-pounded beaches, to the bare summits of coastal mountains, or deep into the forests that cover parts of Mount Desert Island near Bar Harbor.
Additionally, people with dogs will be excited to know that Acadia National Park allows dogs on most of its trails and carriage roads, too. See the dog rules in Acadia here.
Below, you’ll find a selection of my personal favorite Acadia National Park day hikes. They’re based on my own experiences in the park across different seasons.
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Hiking Acadia National Park
The hiking trails in Acadia National Park below are divided into three categories—easy, moderate and challenging.
Because everyone has their own understanding of what “easy” or “challenging” implies, often based on their own experiences and fitness level, I’d like to explain how I’ve categorized them.
- Easy hikes in Acadia National Park: Shorter than 5 miles AND minimal elevation gain (flat).
- Moderate hikes in Acadia National Park: Shorter than 5 miles AND some elevation gain (minor ascent).
- Challenging hikes in Acadia National Park: Longer than 3 miles AND significant elevation gain (major ascent to a summit).
12 Best Day Hikes in Acadia National Park
Before we get to the trail descriptions and photos, here’s a quick overview of what I consider the best day hikes in Acadia National Park (plus their distance and difficulty).
- Great Head Trail (1.9 miles, easy)
- Ocean Path (4.4 miles, easy)
- Jordan Pond Loop (3.3 miles, easy)
- Bar Island Trail (1.9 miles, easy)
- Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop (1.5 miles, easy)
- Bass Harbor Head Light Station Trail (0.5 miles, easy)
- Carriage roads (various, easy)
- Bubbles Divide Trail (1.5 miles, moderate)
- Bubbles Nubble Loop (2.6 miles, moderate)
- Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail (7.1 miles, challenging)
- Pemetic Mountain Loop (4 miles, challenging)
- Precipice Trail Loop (3.2 miles, challenging)
Best Easy Day Hikes in Acadia National Park
1. Great Head Trail
Looping around Great Head, a rock-covered peninsula to the east of beautiful Sand Beach, the Great Head Trail runs through a scented pine forest and follows a section of the rocky coastline that is so typical of New England’s only national park.
This is one of the best easy day hikes in Acadia National Park, suitable for children as well as adults. Its east-facing location near the park’s most popular beach makes it a wonderful place to go for a walk in the morning.
Additionally, relaxing on this beautiful sandy beach after your hike is absolutely delightful, too. And if that’s not enough, this area is a great base for other fun Acadia day hikes as well. The Ocean Path, for example, also starts at the Sand Beach parking lot.
- Distance: 1.9 miles (shorter option of 1.3 miles available, too)
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Type of trail: Loop
- Trailhead: Far end of Sand Beach
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
2. Ocean Path
The wonderful Ocean Path is an easy 2.2-mile one-way trail from Sand Beach to Otter Point. It parallels the coastal section of the Park Loop Road, offering both amazing ocean views and access to other hiking trails.
Keep in mind that this is one of the park’s busiest areas, so I recommend arriving as early in the morning as you can to find a parking spot (especially in summer).
Getting there early also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular sunrise views on the rocky Maine coast.
You can walk the entire length of the Ocean Path, a 4.4-mile roundtrip hike, or opt to just do a section. Main points of interest include Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs, but there are superb views and scenery the whole way.
- Distance: 4.4 miles
- Duration: 2-4 hours
- Type of trail: Out and back
- Trailhead: Sand Beach or Otter Cliffs, but also accessible from the Thunder Hole parking lot
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: Yes, between Sand Beach and Thunder Hole
3. Jordan Pond Loop
Jordan Pond is one of Acadia National Park’s most iconic places. This gorgeous lake sits in a steep valley that was carved out by retreating glaciers, surrounded by Pemetic Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, and the famous Bubbles.
The Jordan Pond Path runs around the entire lake, a 3.3-mile loop lined with wonderful views and opportunities to see wildlife like beavers and common loons.
This is a popular and easy hike in Acadia National Park, a combination of boardwalks, gravel trails, and stepping stones, that’s great for families with children and pets.
It’s particularly scenic early in the morning when the still water provides a perfect reflection of the Bubbles.
- Distance: 3.3 miles
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Type of trail: Loop
- Trailhead: Jordan Pond boat launch
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
4. Bar Island Trail
When staying in the bustling town of Bar Harbor, a walk to Bar Island is one of the most fun things you can do.
Situated a short distance from the town center, this small island is part of Acadia National Park and is accessible via a gravel bar at low tide. It’s one of the easiest and must-do day hikes in Acadia National Park.
You’ll walk to the island across the ocean floor—yes, literally—which is exposed for 1.5 hours before and after low tide. On Bar Island, a trail leads to the island’s highest point, where you can see Bar Harbor in the distance.
In total, the hike across the gravel bar and to the island summit is a 1.9-mile roundtrip. Enjoy the sea breeze, explore tide pools, and take in the beautiful ocean views that characterize Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor.
Check the tide chart for Bar Harbor here.
- Distance: 1.9 miles
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Type of trail: Out and back
- Trailhead: Beach at the end of Bridge Street (from West Street in downtown Bar Harbor)
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
5. Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop
Two mainly level trails make up the figure-8-shaped Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop. This easy loop is perhaps one of the most underrated day hikes in Acadia National Park.
Running through stands of hemlock and white birch, the trails run from Sieur de Monts to the Great Meadow.
It’s a combination of gravel trails and boardwalks, forming a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike. Interpretive panels and benches provide more information and a place to take in the beautiful scenery. Some sections offer a view of Dorr Mountain, too.
The Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop is particularly amazing in the fall, usually early-October, when the birch leaves are a vibrant yellow.
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
- Type of trail: Loop
- Trailhead: Wild Gardens of Acadia at Sieur de Monts
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: Yes
6. Bass Harbor Head Light Station Trail
Although the Bass Harbor Head Light Station Trail is barely worthy of being designated a “hike,” it’s still worth mentioning because it’s so incredibly beautiful.
This historic lighthouse stands at the southernmost point of Mount Desert Island in Bass Harbor. It marks the entrance to Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor, and is one of three lighthouses managed by Acadia National Park.
You can see the Bass Harbor Head Light Station from the end of a short, paved walkway, where a viewpoint provides one of the most iconic views in Acadia National Park. (Note that the lighthouse itself is not open to the public.)
This is a very popular place, though, especially at sunset when flocks of photographers and other visitors congregate on the rocky coastline. Therefore, I recommend going there in the middle of the day or arriving well before sunset to find a spot in the tiny parking area.
In fact, this is the single most visited place on the west side of Mount Desert Island, attracting 180,000 people every year. In Acadia National Park, only Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole are more popular.
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Duration: 15-30 minutes
- Type of trail: Out and back
- Trailhead: Parking lot at the end of Lighthouse Road in Bass Harbor
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
7. Carriage Roads
Forty-five miles of historic carriage roads run through the forests, across the slopes, and along the ocean shores of Acadia National Park.
This extensive and interconnected network of unpaved roads provides endless walking opportunities. All carriage roads are open to pets, as well as bicycles and horses.
Popular walks on Acadia National Park’s carriage roads include the following:
- Hulls Cove to Paradise Hill, Witch Hole Pond, and Duck Brook Bridge (4.7 miles, loop)
- Day Mountain Loop (5.3 miles, loop)
- Jordan Pond to the Stanley Brook, Cobblestone, and Jordan Pond Bridges (3.1 miles, loop)
- Eagle Lake Loop (5.9 miles, loop)
- Hadlock Loop (4.2 miles, loop)
Additionally, many carriage roads intersect with hiking trails, too, offering even more possibilities to explore Acadia National Park on foot. Combine them to “create a loop, add distance, or provide opportunities for more even terrain to gain or lose elevation,” the National Park Service suggests.
- Distance: Various
- Duration: Various
- Type of trail: Various
- Trailheads: All throughout the park
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: Yes, but some carriage roads are relatively uneven and have sections with loose gravel.
Best Moderate Day Hikes in Acadia National Park
8. Bubbles Divide Trail
Clearly visible across Jordan Pond, the Bubbles are one of Acadia National Park’s most famous natural landmarks.
While the view of the mountain is pretty great, the view from the mountain might be even better.
You can hike up the Bubbles via the fun 0.75-mile Bubbles Divide Trail. This popular trail provides access to both North Bubble and South Bubble, as well as iconic Bubble Rock, which balances precariously on the edge of a cliff.
Each individual summit is accessed via a short spur trail, where expansive views await hikers. The vista includes Jordan Pond, the Cranberry Isles, and surrounding mountains like Sargent and Pemetic.
Although not a long day hike, the Bubbles Divide Trail is fairly steep in certain sections, which is why I classified this as a “moderate” day hike in Acadia National Park. Count on at least an hour to complete the 1.5-mile roundtrip.
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Type of trail: Out and back
- Trailhead: Bubble Divide parking lot, on the Park Loop Road just north of Jordan Pond
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
9. Bubbles Nubble Loop
From the Bubbles, you can continue your hike to the north and towards Eagle Lake.
From North Bubble, much of the Bubbles Nubble Loop trail traverses open ridges and barren summits, offering exceptional views of the landscapes of central Mount Desert Island.
I personally loved this part of Acadia National Park, simply because it’s much less crowded and there’s the undeniable feeling of being alone in the wilderness.
The trail also takes you to Conners Nubble, which provides a superb view of Eagle Lake below—hence the name Bubbles Nubble Loop, which is a fantastic 2.6-mile roundtrip day hike.
Additionally, you’ll walk a section of carriage roads back to the trailhead for the ultimate Acadia National Park experience.
- Distance: 2.6 miles
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Type of trail: Loop
- Trailhead: Bubbles Divide parking lot, on the Park Loop Road just north of Jordan Pond
- Pets allowed: Yes (Note that the short climb to Conners Nubble is very steep and requires some scrambling, which may be unsuitable for some smaller dogs—the rest of the hike is great for all dogs.)
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
Best Challenging Day Hikes in Acadia National Park
10. Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail
The longest of all day hikes in Acadia National Park highlighted here, the Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail is also one of the most spectacular.
It is the longest and arguably most scenic way to reach the summit of the highest mountain on the eastern seaboard of the United States.
You’ll start this hike on “a forested path to a unique meadow-like area before continuing your climb on an exposed granite ridgeline with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and outlying islands before reaching the summit,” the National Park Service says.
The trail gradually becomes steeper as you get closer to the top, while the views also get increasingly amazing.
From the summit, you can enjoy a sensational view of much of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, and the islands in Frenchman Bay.
To get back to the trailhead, you can retrace your steps back down for a 7.1-mile roundtrip on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail.
Alternatively, you can also descend via the Gorge Path or Cadillac North Ridge Trail, and take the free Island Explorer bus back to the trailhead.
- Distance: 7.1 miles
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Type of trail: Out and back
- Trailhead: Cadillac South Ridge Trailhead, roadside parking on Maine Route 3 just south of Blackwoods Campground
- Pets allowed: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
11. Pemetic Mountain Loop
The Pemetic Mountain Loop is one of my favorite challenging Acadia National Park day hikes.
Located just east of Jordan Pond, Pemetic Mountain has an open granite summit that offers truly breathtaking views of the Acadia National Park landscape.
From the top, you can see for miles, including major landmarks like Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, Eagle Lake, and much of the coastline of Mount Desert Island and offshore islands.
After the initial easy walk through the forest on the Jordan Pond Path, the trail then follows a ravine with steep rocky sections, some of which feature iron rungs and a wooden ladder. It eventually opens up onto an exposed granite ridge, which leads to the summit of Pemetic Mountain.
Once you’re above the tree line, you can enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panorama—it’s as if you’re on top of the world.
On the way down, you’ll follow the Pemetic Mountain South Ridge Trail back to the shore of Jordan Pond, thus completing one of the greatest loop hikes in Acadia National Park.
Note: Dogs aren’t allowed on the Pemetic Mountain Loop because of the steep section with rungs and ladder. There is, however, another option for you if you’d like to hike to the summit of Pemetic Mountain with your dog. Dogs are allowed on the Pemetic Mountain South Ridge Trail, which is a fairly strenuous 4-mile out-and-back hike you can do with your four-legged friend.
- Distance: 4 miles, loop
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Type of trail: Loop
- Trailhead: Jordan Pond boat launch
- Pets allowed: No (Pets are allowed on the Pemetic South Ridge Trail, though, which is an out-and-back hike that’s also 4 miles total.)
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
12. Precipice Trail Loop
The Precipice Trail is widely considered to be one of the most difficult hiking trails in Acadia National Park. Even though it isn’t longer than a mile, this trail ascends 1,000 feet on the near-vertical eastern flank of Champlain Mountain.
To cover this elevation gain in such a short distance, hikers rely on ladders, stairs, ropes, and iron rungs to climb sheer rock faces, reach ledges, and maneuver through gaps between rocks.
It’s a thrilling hike, easily one of the best Acadia day hikes (if you’re not afraid of heights!).
On the way up, as well as at the summit of Champlain Mountain, the views are absolutely extraordinary. You can see a stretch of the spectacular Mount Desert Island coastline and Frenchman Bay.
Because it’s so incredibly steep, narrow, and therefore dangerous, the National Park Service advises against descending the Precipice Trail.
Instead, you can hike down via the North Ridge Trail of Champlain Mountain. This moderate and occasionally steep descent is mainly on open granite terrain, also providing excellent views.
The last stretch of this unforgettable Acadia National Park hike is along the Park Loop Road back to the trailhead.
The total distance of the Precipice Loop is 3.2 miles, including the 0.9 ultra-steep miles on the Precipice Trail.
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Type of trail: Loop
- Trailhead: Precipice Trailhead, on the Park Loop Road about 1.5 miles past Sieur de Monts
- Pets allowed: No
- Wheelchair-accessible: No
Map of the Best Acadia National Park Day Hikes
More About Acadia National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Top Things To Do in Acadia National Park
- Where to See Fall Colors in Acadia
- Best Viewpoints
- Accommodation