Leaf-lovers often head east to enjoy some of the most satisfying fall foliage the country has to offer, and what could be better than fall colors complemented by a magnificent shoreline containing the highest peak on the East Coast? Situated along the Atlantic Ocean, the salty sea breeze mixes with the fragrant pine trees for a sensory experience that can't be beaten in Maine's Acadia National Park.
Although fall is prime time for color changes, Acadia is excellent any time of the year, and many of the park's more challenging hikes are best done during the warmer months when the chance of ice is low. A trip to a national park is incomplete without a hike or two, and this list highlights the best trails for both easygoing visitors and those looking for the challenge of a lifetime.
10 Cadillac Summit Loop Trail
- Distance: 0.5-mile loop, 52 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tips: reserve a parking spot ahead of time, and dress in layers because it can get pretty windy.
The best way to greet Acadia National Park is by setting the alarm before sunrise, packing a blanket, and taking an easy, sleepy hike to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. There's little elevation gain, making it ideal for navigating in the darkness. Hikers will be the first people in the United States to witness the sun making its way over the horizon, graced by the soothing sounds of waves crashing into the shore. The sight of sparkling water and calming glow of trees illuminated by the sun is an energy boost more satisfying than a cup of coffee and will only have hikers ready for more adventure.
9 Ocean Path Trail
- Distance: 4.5 miles out and back, 374 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tips: Wear waterproof, supportive shoes, as parts of the trail can be rocky and muddy.
The scents of the sea and forest combine on the Ocean Path Trail. As the name suggests, the path follows the coastline, and guests should be prepared to stop several times to soak in the magic.
The sensory treats continue with an abundance of spectacular views, including Otter Cliffs, a pink-granite rock formation extending over the ocean and crowned with towering pines and firs. Hikers can access the Thunder Hole viewpoint by going down a set of stone stairs to listen to the waves crashing against the rocks, which can sound either loud (like thunder) or quiet as a whisper depending on what mood the ocean is in that day.
8 Bar Island Trail
- Distance: 2.1 miles out and back, 216 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Easy
- Tips: Check the tides before going for the best (and safest) experience, and arrive early to beat the crowds.
The world is full of manufactured bridges, and while they're great, there's something special about a bridge made from the earth, especially when it leads to something beautiful. The Bar Island Trail features a land bridge that connects the town of Bar Harbor to Bar Island. Guests will observe little tide pools filled with rocks, shells, and a living thing or two.
It's essential to keep an eye on the water levels, as those who don't make it back before the high tide will either have to wait nine hours for the bridge to reveal itself again or get a water taxi back to the mainland. However, watching how the landscape change as the water levels rise is an interesting sight, and it's worth sticking around to witness nature's impressive powers from the safety of the shore.
7 Jordan Pond Path
- Distance: 3.1-mile loop, 42 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tips: Stay on the boardwalk for the love of Mother Nature, and consider wearing pants to protect your legs from the rocks.
Despite the lack of elevation gain, Jordan Pond Path demands its hikers to scramble over some pretty big rocks after its humble start. Adventurers will walk across a raised wooden boardwalk built to protect the fragile ecosystem for about one mile. The fairytale path through the forest gives way to a boulder field, and hikers will have to do some scrambling before reaching a bridge for the remainder of the trail. Aside from the beautiful forest, visitors will see The Bubbles across Jordan Pond, a smooth swell of two mountains covered in trees, especially beautiful during the fall.
6 Beech Cliff Ladder and Canada Cliff Loop
- Distance: 1.8-mile loop, 492 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Tips: Wear supportive, non-slip shoes; parts of the trail can get slippery.
This trail proves that jungle gyms aren't only for kids! Hikers will face a series of metal ladders built into the rock faces. Each rung ascends them farther above sea level, where they will have a spectacular view of gorgeous Echo Lake and the ocean in the distance. A stream babbles alongside hikers on the way down, a soothing sound sure to spark the connection with nature parkgoers look forward to. The trail also includes some moderate rock scrambling that will prepare visitors for some of the more strenuous hikes listed below.
5 Pemetic Mountain Loop
- Distance: 4.9-mile loop, 1,040 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
- Tips: Go during the fall to enjoy the changing leaves or the spring and summertime for wildflowers and lush greenery.
It's time to take the hiking to the next level, and a pro of tackling the more challenging hikes is that guests will have a more intimate experience. The Pemetic Loop Trail starts slow, carrying adventurers across flat terrain with views of picturesque Jordan Pond. The ease gives way to scrambles over rocky terrain to the summit of Mount Pemetic, where conquerors are rewarded with stunning sights of forested mountains, sparkling waters, and an ocean as blue as the sky. The descent is steep and narrow in some portions, so hikers need to take it slow, a task that will be easy with all the views.
4 Dorr Mountain Ladder Trail
- Distance: 2.7-mile loop, 1,131 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Hard
- Tips: Warm up the muscles with some stretches to prevent next-day soreness.
It's all up, up, up at the beginning of the Dorr Mountain Ladder Trail. Several ladders and stone stairs carry hikers from one level to the next, narrow paths winding around the cliffside. At the top, guests will feel like they're on top of the world, high above the treetops with panoramic views of the park. After the strenuous ascent, adventurers will make their way down, testing the limits of their knees (and bums.) When all the hard work is done, visitors will enjoy a calm stroll alongside The Tarn, a chill pond perfect for a reflection session.
3 Cadillac North Ridge Trail
- Distance: 4.2 miles out and back, 1,128 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Hard
- Tips: Layer up and start early with a headlamp if you're on the search for an epic sunrise, and pack snacks to enjoy at the top.
It's always a great idea to make it a point to reach the highest point in the park, and hikers will do just that on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail. While there is a short loop trail that goes to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the feeling of getting there with some physical exertion is extremely rewarding. Trekkers will have views of the Schoodic Peninsula, an expanse of granite headlands marred by scars from storms, as well as the small islands dotting the ocean off Frenchman Bay.
2 Beehive Loop Trail
- Distance: 1.5-mile loop, 508 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Hard
- Tips: Go counterclockwise during dry weather for the best experience, and keep an eye out for icy spots between October and May.
Just because it's short doesn't mean it's easy, a lesson hikers will learn as soon as they start the Beehive Loop Trail. At the outset, guests are greeted with sets of granite stairs, ladders, and scrambling, all alongside steep cliffs. It's a test of mental and physical fortitude, and the reward is well worth the effort. After hugging the narrow path and gripping the metal bars installed on the rock faces, hikers will have epic views of Bowl Pond, a sandy beach, and the horizon line perfectly blending in with the Atlantic Ocean.
1 Precipice Loop
- Distance: 2.1-mile loop, 1,053 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Hard
- Tips: Warm up on the Beehive Trail to get a feel for this hike and what it will entail.
The Precipice Loop is the trail for those who enjoy saying they've completed the most challenging hike in Acadia. Like the Beehive Trail, the loop features several iron rungs alongside adrenaline-pumping drop-offs. Hikers will have to make a strong mind-body connection to conquer the trail that asks for concentration and thoughtful footing from start to finish. The risk is worth the reward in this case. Not only is completing the loop a brag-worthy accomplishment, but hikers will enjoy intimate views of the park from a bird's eye perspective.