Acadia National Park in Maine is one of the most beautiful national parks, with stunning fall foliage, crisp winter hiking trails, and lush spring and summer scenery, making it a beautiful place in the US for nature lovers. While the best state for hiking in the US is Colorado, Maine comes close, thanks to Acadia and its breathtaking mountain trails for all stamina levels — paths that even rival many of the top hikes in the US.

Ample rewards await adventurists trekking to Acadia — one of the most visited national parks in the US, overflowing with pristine nature and sublime vistas. However, among the best hiking trails in Acadia National Park is a route with numerous options, all leading to one special summit on an exceptionally picturesque island. At around 108 square miles in size, that island is Mount Desert Island — the largest island in Maine and the sixth biggest in the lower 48 states. Additionally, it was originally called Pemetic Island by the native Wabanakis (a term that translates to 'Sloping Land').

Related: Visit Mount Desert Island: New England's Largest Island

This island's summit to which many hikers venture is the famous Mansell Mountain — but by Acadia standards, it's not exactly one of the higher peaks within the park. Still, with spectacular scenery throughout the seasons and plenty of heart-thumping hikes home to interesting obstacles, the journey to Mount Mansell is a worthy contender for those with vigor and endurance — this is no walk in the park (well, literally, it is — but figuratively? Absolutely not).

What Is Mount Desert Island In Maine Known For?

Mount Desert Island is famous for mountain peaks, hikes, beautiful nature trails (some being moderately strenuous), and, like many of the best national parks in the US, a sprinkling of interesting history. French explorer Samuel de Champlain gave the island its name in 1604; historical sources claim he may have chosen the name because of its deserted land or due to the bare mountains barren of vegetation.

Many of the mountains on Mount Desert Island are comprised of granite and appear in the shape of worn domes. Mount Mansell also falls under the said description, as does the island's highest peak, Cadillac Mountain. The granite that forms mount Mansell and many others on the island exhibit subtle pink, green, and gray hues and is course-grained — the grains within are made up of feldspar, quartz, hornblende, and some biotite, too.

While many hikes abound in these parts, the Mount Mansell hike deserves special attention, given that it offers numerous trails all leading to its summit. The variation in paths makes it a fantastic hiking destination to return to more than once to sample the diverse routes — but what are these routes, exactly? It's time to look at how to hike Mount Mansell in Acadia National Park — and there's more than one way to do it.

About Mount Mansell Trails

The trail to Mount Mansell could easily call itself one of the most beautiful hiking spots in Maine. While a few routes take hikers up to the peak, around, back down, and beyond its vicinity, the most popular option is the Perpendicular Razorback Loop, comprising (as the name suggests) the Perpendicular Trail and the Razorback Trail on Mount Desert Island.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the Perpendicular Trail around 1933 to 1934. Where the trail crossed the talus slope, flat boulders were laid end-to-end where the trail crossed the terrain's talus slope area in order to create a more suitable hiking path. The CCC also added rock steps and ramps to make the track easier for those up for the challenge of heading to Mount Mansell.

In addition, the crew covered the stones and rocks they laid with moss from nearby areas and planted ferns near their edges to blend them with the surroundings. Today, it's evident that nature took over and blended the constructed trail beautifully. Now, exploring the area's spectacular trails with glorious views is among the best things to do in Acadia National Park — for those with enough stamina.

Related: Skip Acadia And Hike To These Seaside Maine Views, Instead

How To Hike To The Summit Of Mount Mansell

• Hike Name: Perpendicular Razorback Loop Trail
• Length: 2.7 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
• Duration: 1-3 hours
• Nearby Town: Southwest Harbor
• Terrain: Rocks, dirt tracks, forest floor, ladders, iron rungs
• Park Fees: Yes

The question of how to hike Mount Mansell's summit depends on the chosen trail. Luckily, one of the main routes is covered next, as well as a handful of others — which, given their beauty and challenging nature, could even be classed as incredible bucket list-worthy hiking trails in the USA.

A popular trail on Mount Desert Island is the Perpendicular Razorback Loop — a historical trail leading up to the summit of Mansell Mountain. This loop hike is located on the mountain's west side, which is the quieter side and potentially offers a more private experience away from other hikers.

The Perpendicular Razorback Loop starts out with a short 0.2-mile jaunt along the picturesque Long Pond Trail before delivering hikers to the Perpendicular Trail. Note that visitors can also hike to Mount Mansell from the south end of Long Pond, climbing up the mountain's eastern edge.

Related: These Are Maine’s Best Hikes Outside Of Acadia National Park

Along this section of the Perpendicular Trail, hikers traverse 300 cut granite steps, several iron rungs, and small ladders, all added to the historic trail to enable hikers to ascend the mountain's steep slope. This portion of the trail also grants a handful of lovely views of Long Pond between the trees.

Next, just before the trail turns away from the mountain's face, a short, out-and-back spur trail awaits and leads to an overlook with gorgeous views of Beech Mountain, Long Pond, and the nearby outlying islands. This trail then levels off in the woods before sending hikers toward the summit of Mansell Mountain — which rises to 949 feet in height.

Related: Every Out-Of-The-Box Thing You Can Do In Maine (That Isn't Just Hiking)

On the way back down, the Perpendicular Trail descends past the junction for the Mansell Mountain Trail before coming to an end at the Razorback Trail. Hikers can then turn left to head south along the Razorback Trail — a section offering amazing views as its steep descent takes walkers along the trail's ridge and through a scenic forest, after which it ends at the Gilley Trail.

Turning left at this point leads to the Cold Brook Trail — a connector trail heading to Gilley Field, where another parking area is found to the south of Mount Mansell, while Long Pond is to the southeast.

Other Mount Mansell Hiking Trails

While the trail above is one of the most popular, a few others exist and open up further exploration and views. Another fork heads further left (or northwest on a map) from Gilley Field and leads to the Great Notch Trail. This trail goes to a pass between Mansell Mountain and its sibling located to the west — Bernard Mountain.

Going along the Great Notch Trail to the northwest also leads to another fork shortly after the trailhead — the right fork is the Razorback Trail, which leads to the summit of Mount Mansell and connects with the Mansell Mountain Trail near the summit.

On the other hand, the left fork along the Great Notch Trail takes hikers to the route's namesake Great Notch, which links with the Western Trail that joins up from the northwest side of Mount Mansell.

When Is The Best Time To Hike Mount Mansell?

The best time to hike to Mount Mansell is challenging to determine because the experiences and scenery on offer change as each season arrives. Furthermore, price-wise, the entry fees for Acadia National Park are non-existent from November 1 to April 30, making these months preferred by explorers on a budget. Check the fees and passes page on the Acadia National Park website for details on each type of pass and the respective price tags.

Naturally, summer is always an inviting time for hiking, as the warmer weather, sunnier skies, and lush green foliage make for pretty views and comfortable outdoor adventures. However, this time is peak visitor season in Acadia National Park, so visitors must pay park fees to enter. Still, no matter the month, people are sure to enjoy a wonderful day out exploring the natural beauty and adventurous trails of Mount Desert Island and the imposing Mount Mansell.

Plus, if exploring the island's main town is on the itinerary, reading up on the best months to visit Bar Harbor is a wise pre-travel move.

Related: Break Out Your Snowshoes For These Beautiful Snow-Covered U.S. Hikes

Overall, Mount Mansell hiking trails (as well as the entire Acadia National Park, for that matter) offer some of the best hikes in the US in winter, fall, summer, or spring, thanks to the gorgeous, ever-changing scenery with each passing season — particularly the chilly season, though; why Maine is a winter paradise is best answered by visiting the place in person to enjoy its great wintertime activities (note, they involve dogsledding, snowshoeing, and much more!)

Related: 10 Alpine-Style Hikes In The US With Unbelievable Views

How Much Is Acadia National Park Entry?

• Private Vehicle Permit: $30 (valid for seven days and includes all non-commercial vehicles with less than 16 passengers)
• Motorcycles: $15
• Per-Person: $15 (valid for seven days. Youth and those under 15 may enter for free)
• Annual Pass: $50 (valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Permits the pass holder and all passengers within a non-commercial vehicle)

It's no secret that hiking is one of the best things to do in Maine, thanks to the state's pristine nature trails across its beloved national park that take up space within its borders. To protect and preserve its terrain, Acadia National Park entry fees are charged on a per-vehicle or per-motorcycle basis. In contrast, people entering on foot, horse, or bicycle pay per person. Visitors can also buy a park-specific annual pass, valid for one year.

Intending visitors can purchase a pass online using the YourPassNow gov page or buy them at specific sites within Acadia National Park. Also, park fees don't apply from November to the end of April.

How To Get To Mount Desert Island And The Mount Mansell Trailhead

Mount Desert Island is situated around 50 miles southwest of Bangor. From I-95 in Bangor, visitors heading to Mount Desert Island must get onto Maine Highway 3 — the only road that leads to the island. For a more scenic route, drivers can also take Route 1A to Ellsworth — from there; they can catch Maine Highway 3, too.

Once the entrance fee is paid, visitors can take the right fork onto Route 102 shortly after arriving on the island. This road leads through Town Hill, Somesville, and passes by Echo Lake on the right as it takes drivers toward Southwest Harbor. Next, visitors can turn right on Seal Cove Road and follow it for a short while before heading right again on Long Pond Road. Then, Long Pond Road comes to an end at its southern end, marked by a boat ramp and parking lot — where the trailhead to Mansell Mountain awaits. The Long Pond Trail here is located opposite the water pump station.

Of course, this laborious but strikingly beautiful hiking destination isn't the only mountain trail in Acadia National Park. If adding more is on adventurers' roster of bucket list-worthy hikes in the US, much like the trek to Mount Mansell, they'll need to discover how to reach Acadia's mountain peaks in other areas.

Related: 10 Most Scenic Fall Drives In Maine For Leaf Peepers

What To Know About The Hike To Mount Mansell: Mount Mansell Hiking Tips

• The main town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island is a fun tourist spot and makes for an excellent addition to the day's hike. Don't forget to check out the top tips for traveling to Bar Harbor (by car and ferry)!
• For a more immersive, expert-led experience, visitors to the island's main town can also enjoy a tour of Bar Harbor in Acadia.
• Dogs are not allowed to hike the sections with ladder and iron rungs; they're not suitable for those on four legs!
• Geocaching is not allowed throughout Acadia National Park. Although, the park sponsors the virtual treasure hunt-inspired Earth Cache Program!
• May 1 to October 31 is peak visitor time when park entry fees are in place. If money is a concern, visit outside these months for free entry to Acadia National Park.

Can You Camp On Mount Desert Island?

Outside of hiking some of the best trails in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, visitors can also enjoy camping. With Acadia earning a place among the top US national parks that offer the best overnight trips, camping on the island has become a favorite choice among nature lovers who wish to turn their day's hike into a two-day adventure. Fortunately for them, there are two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island, with the nearest to Mount Mansell being Seawall Campground and the other being Blackwoods Campground.

Additional Acadia National Park camping information can be found on the US National Park Service page on camping in Acadia National Park.

Related: Acadia National Park’s Carriage Road Is Perfect For Hikers

Is The Hike To Mount Mansell Worth It?

The hike to Mount Mansell on Mount Desert Island is worth it for the adventurous trails with iron rungs and ladders, as well as spectacular views of forests, glistening lakes, and vistas of Southwest Harbor and the island's outlying islands out in the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain is only around 949 feet high, so it's not the highest peak by mountaineering standards and isn't likely to cause any altitude issues.

Still, since Maine is one of the states with the best hiking trails, exploring this area on foot will not disappoint — neither will spending a day in Bar Harbor itself as part of the trip, given that it's one of the best towns in Maine for tourists seeking a fun-filled getaway and beautiful natural surroundings. Throw in the Mount Desert Island campsites (two of which are near Mansell Mountain), and this place provides a lovely escape for nature lovers in need of a break from reality.