Photo courtesy of Jesse Rosenwald @absofoodly_objessed. Used with permission.
Bald Peak and Parkman Mountain
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Bald Peak and Parkman Mountain
SUNSET OPTION
Distance: 2.7 miles round trip
Summary: A steep hike to the top of two mountains each over 900 feet. Crosses carriage roads before summiting for ocean views of the Somes Sound and Northeast Harbor. Bald Peak Trail offers steeper terrain than its western Parkman Mountain Trail counterpart.
Terrain: steep granite and challenging rocky footing throughout.
Trailhead: Maine198/Route 3. Limited parking from 9 am - 3 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
Nearby Communities: Northeast Harbor
Restrooms: Parkman Mountain Parking Lot (seasonal)
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Beech Mountain South Ridge Loop
SUNSET OPTION Distance: 2.3 miles round trip Summary: Accessing the loop from the southern entrance and beginning on the Valley Trail one walks across a gently sloping, pine needle-covered, forest floor for .8 miles. Turning onto the South Ridge trail, the loop begins to gain intensity as one climbs a steep, switch backed, rocky staircase. Finally a short scramble to the summit where one enjoys views of Long Pond and the Fire Tower before descending down through a rocky drainage, and loose rock for more than half a mile before one returns to the park lot.
Terrain: Valley Trail- level forest floor, South Ridge Trail- rocky staircase, bald granite summit, Beech Mountain Loop - loose rock, steep rocky drainage.
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Canada Cliffs Loop
IRON RUNGS/LADDERS DOGS NOT PERMITTED
Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
Summary: Begins with steep granite staircase that ascends Echo Cliffs. Multiple ladder climbs as you approach the top of the cliffs. Spectacular views of Echo Lake, Acadia and St. Sauveur.Moderate descent down granite slopes surrounded by mixed forest. Finishes with a peaceful groomed forest trail that winds its way by a stream back towards the parking area.
Terrain: Rocky Granite, steep sections with ladders, forested paths
Trailhead: Maine 102 Echo Lake Parking lot. Limited parking from 9 am - 3 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
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Great Meadow Loop
OPTION FOR YOUNG HIKERS DOG FRIENDLY
Distance: 2.0 miles round trip
Summary: Forested loop around a large meadow with a view of Dorr Mountain. Little gain in elevation and plenty of shade, with a portion of the loop paralleling the road.
Terrain: Walking on dirt and flat older roads. Small hills near the road.
Trailhead: Cromwell Harbor Road at the end of Ledgelawn Street in Bar Harbor. Sieur de Mont has limited parking from 9 am - 3 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
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Gorge and A Murray Young Path Route
Distance: 4.5 miles round trip
Summary:Combining together several trails this loop begins at the Sieur de Mont Nature Center, climbs rocky terrain into the gorge between Cadillac and Dorr Mountain and finally runs down the A. Murray Young Trail to Canon Brook Trail and the Kane Path, hiking rocky granite trails surrounded by forest and streams this steep hike offers beautiful views to the lesser seen parts of Acadia. Due to difficult terrain on sections of this trail, it may be unsuitable for dogs.
Terrain: Beginning on an old fire road, before ascending rocky stone steps and large boulders, the descent is more gradual but still following springs on rocky granite faces. The Kane Path parallels the tarn with large rock boulders. Trail poses additional challenges in spring or after rain storms as the granite gorges become slick and slippery.
Trailhead: Parking at the Sieur de Mont Nature Center. Hemlock Road begins just past the Sieur de Mont Nature Center and the Wild Gardens of Acadia. Limited parking from 9 am - 3 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
Profile may not match route depicted on Maine Trail Finder
Jesup Path and Hemlock Road Loop
OPTION FOR YOUNG HIKERS DOG FRIENDLY
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Summary: Forested walk on a boardwalk trail leading to a meadow before looping back on an old fire road. Views of Dorr Mountain interspersed in this walk along a birch and hemlock forest.
Terrain: Compact, flat trail. Wooden boardwalk with benches and pullouts, wide, gravel fire road.
Trailhead: Sieur de Monts.Limited parking from 9 am - 3 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
Profile may not match route depicted on Maine Trail Finder
Jordan Cliffs Loop
IRON RUNGS/LADDERS DOGS NOT PERMITTED
Distance: 5 miles round trip
Summary: Begin on a beautiful wooded trail that turns into granite staircase. Once on Jordan Cliffs you ascend through woods and granite slopes to reach the base of the cliffs. You then use granite stairs, iron rungs, and slopes to traverse the side of the cliff. During the cliff traverse there will be periods of extreme exposure with vistas over Jordan Pond and the Bubbles. Summits both Penobscot Mountain and Sargent Mountain. Descend back into the woods and work your away along a stream to the shores of Jordan Pond. Enjoy rock hopping and wooden planks as you wind your way back towards Jordan Pond House along the shore.
Terrain: Wooded, then rocky ledges and exposed iron rungs, finally summiting a ridgeline and descending following a rocky granite trail back to wooden planks.
Trailhead: Park at Jordan Pond.Limited parking from 9 am - 5 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
Nearby Communities: Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor
Restrooms: Available year round at the north parking lot of Jordan Pond, Jordan Pond gift shop (seasonal)
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Jordan Pond Path
OPTION FOR YOUNG HIKERS
Distance: 3.3 round trip
Summary: Path paralleling the Jordan Pond, on the eastern side the trail is packed dirt with little elevation gain. The western side has rocky boulders and marshy woodlands with wooden planks which requires more focus on where you are walking. The trail offers views of South Bubble.
Trailhead: Park at Jordan Pond. Limited parking from 9 am - 5 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
Nearby Communities: Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor
Restrooms: Available year round at the north parking lot of Jordan Pond, Jordan Pond gift shop (seasonal)
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Norumbega Mountain Loop
Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
Summary: Steep granite scramble to the summit of Norumbega Mountain. Offers views of Somes Sound and Blue Hill. Gradual descent on rocky granite, through pine and spruce forest. Returns along Lower Hadlock Pond on a rooted trail.
Terrain: Rocky granite outcrops, granite slopes, and rooted paths.
Trailhead: Maine 198, first unmarked pull off on the right south of Parkman Mountain parking lot. Limited parking from 9 am - 3 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
Portions of this trail are on boardwalk because of boggy areas when the trail is wet.
North Bubble Loop
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North Bubble Loop
Distance: 2.6 miles round trip
Summary: Begin on a gravel path Bubbles Divide, with a quick, moderate out and back to South Bubble and a view of Jordan Pond, and Bubble Rock. From the signpost continue to North Bubble Summit on a granite ridgeline. A rocky descent down the mountain leads to a historic carriage road between signpost 7 and 8. Head east until the Jordan Pond Carry to return to the parking area.
Trailhead: Park Loop Road to Bubble Rock Parking Area. Limited parking from 9 am - 5 pm during the summer. Take the fare free Island Explorer bus during peak season and times.
Profile may not match route depicted on Maine Trail Finder
Perpendicular and Razorback Loop
IRON RUNGS/LADDERS DOGS NOT PERMITTED
Distance: 2.7 miles round trip
Summary: Gravel shoreline path along Long Pond, steep ascent on granite staircase of over 300 stone steps, until the summit of Mansel Mountain. Continue past the summit on a moderate descent until the Razorback trail, a steep rocky trail. Finally, Gilley Trail and Cold Brook Trail provide a forested, rooted return to Long Pond.
Terrain: forested paths, granite staircase, rocky trails, and rooted paths.
Trailhead: Maine 102 to Seal Cove Road to Long Pond Road. Limited parking from 9-5 during the summer. No bus access.
