Maine's Mount Desert Island, the gateway to Acadia National Park and home of the picturesque town of Bar Harbor, has just 10,000 residents, but the 108-square-mile destination attracts some 2.5 million visitors each year. Many of them are avid hikers eager to navigate the park's numerous hiking trails, climb the island's various peaks, and enjoy spectacular views of the coastal landscape.

With so many visitors coming and going, vehicle congestion and parking are big concerns on the island, and it's why the Island Explorer shuttle bus is the best way to get around. It operates numerous routes that bring visitors from hotels and campgrounds to locations inside the national park, including hiking trails and trailheads, beaches, and carriage roads, and to places outside the park, such as downtown stores and restaurants.

In fact, tourists can navigate their way through an entire Mount Desert Island vacation using only public transit. And the best part is that the Island Explorer is a free service, operating in spring, summer, and fall.

Related: A Guide To Hiking Maine's Stunning Acadia National Park

Bus Offers Easy Access To Pemetic Mountain Trails

The Island Explorer website details each of the routes served with maps and schedules. One of the most popular peaks for hikers is Pemetic Mountain, which is 1,248 feet high and situated between Jordan and Bubble ponds. The best way to reach the Pemetic trailhead by bus is to take the Jordan Pond route from the national park visitor center to Bubble Pond, which is about a 15-minute ride, or to Jordan Pond, roughly a 25-minute ride. The shuttle serves these trailheads every half-hour.

According to the national park, hikers can access Pemetic’s North Ridge Trail at either Bubble Pond or Jordan Pond and see some views of Cadillac Mountain on the way up. Shortly after passing the trail's intersection with Pemetic Northwest Trail, hikers will see the Sargent and Penobscot mountains.

Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak on the island, at 1,527, and is the top attraction in the national park. The Island Explorer shuttle does not operate Cadillac Mountain routes, but two private bus tour firms do Acadia National Park Tours and Oli's Trolley, which both depart from downtown Bar Harbor. However, these are tour companies and can't be used as transportation for hikers looking to get to a particular trail.

Hikers who want to climb Cadillac have several options, including a 4.2-mile trail that is accessed near the town of Bar Harbor. This path, the Cadillac North Ridge Trail, is considered a challenging route.

Other hiking trails that can be accessed using the free shuttle bus include:

• Gorham Mountain Loop is a 3.5-mile trail featuring mountains and a rocky coastline with panoramic views of Mount Desert Island, Frenchman Bay, and the outlying islands.
• Ship Harbor Trail is a 1.3-mile figure-eight loop near Seawall that is popular with families and birders.
• Beehive Loop is a 1.4-mile trail for advanced hikers, featuring an exposed cliff face and granite staircases.
• Ocean Path Trail is a 2.2-mile out-and-back trail with ocean views and rocky cliffs.

The Island Explorer also will drop hikers at various access points to the park's 45 miles of rustic carriage roads, which are used by walkers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. A gift to the park by the Rockefeller family, the carriage roads were completed in 1940 and are about 16 feet wide. The scenic road system features stone bridges, streams, and waterfalls and is heavily used by park visitors.

Related: One Day In Bar Harbor: What's Worth Doing In 24 Hours

The shuttle buses are equipped with bike racks, with most of the buses able to carry six bicycles. (They do not accommodate any tandem or motorized bikes.) Bicyclists typically ride the network of carriage roads and also are allowed on Park Loop Road. The national park notes that the loop road is narrow and often congested with vehicles, so bikers are asked to avoid using the road between 10 AM and 4 PM during busy seasons.

Park Service Offers Safety Tips To Hikers

Acadia National Park offers these guidelines for hikers in the park:

• Do not feed or disturb wildlife.
• There is no backcountry camping allowed, and fires are permitted only in designated areas.

• Carry water, at least 32 ounces per person, and more on warmer days.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes.
• Follow blue trail blazes and use a topographic map.
• Know the difficulty level of the trail and your physical abilities and limitations.

Budget To Luxury Hotels Available In Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor offers a range of hotel options, from tourist-class motel-style properties to ultra-luxury accommodations. Here are a few choices, bearing in mind that high-season rates in July and August will likely be higher than the per-night rates indicated:

• Moderate:

Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, 269 Main Street, Bar Harbor, $143.

Acadia Inn, 98 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, $150.

Moseley Cottage Inn & Town Motel, 12 Atlantic Avenue, Bar Harbor, $155.

Bluenose Inn, 90 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, $190.

Related: The Only Guide You’ll Need To Find The Best Hikes In Acadia National Park

• Upmarket:

Harborside Hotel Marina And Spa, 55 West Street, Bar Harbor, $250.

• Luxury:

The Bayview, 111 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, $699.