Hike Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop (U.S. National Park Service)

Boardwalk through a forest of white birch trees

The Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop consists of two mostly level trails creating a figure-8. Starting at historic Sieur de Monts, this trail provides a walk through a hemlock and birch forest, a section of the Great Meadow wetland and provides breathtaking views of Dorr Mountain.

Birdwatching, photography, and dog walking are common activities along this trail. It is used routinely by people with mobility limitations and families with small children.

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Terrain: Compact, flat trail. Wooden boardwalk with benches and pullouts, wide, gravel fire road.

The fare-free Island Explorer serves this destination. Buses drop off and pick up at regular intervals throughout the day at designated stop located at the edge of the parking lot. An electronic digital display notes scheduled bus arrival times.

Hike Description

Start the hike just before the entrance to the Wild Gardens of Acadia at Sieur de Monts. A wooden footbridge provides access to the Jesup Path.
Follow the path as it crosses Hemlock Path, and continue straight onto the boardwalk.
The boardwalk runs through a boggy, white birch forest. There are interpretive waysides and benches along the way.
As the boardwalk ends, the trail crosses Hemlock Path again. Continue through the Great Meadow, finally ending at the Park Loop Road.
Cross the Park Loop Road, and turn right onto the Great Meadow Loop. Use caution when crossing the Park Loop Road as there are no crosswalks.
At the next trail junction, turn right and cross back over the Park Loop Road onto Hemlock Path.
Follow Hemlock Path back into the Great Meadow, past the boardwalk, and through a forest of hemlocks.
The path leads back to Sieur de Monts parking lot.

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Additional Descriptions:

This hike is 1.5 miles roundtrip. Duration, or how long a hike takes, depends on your pace, how frequently you stop, and the terrain. For an average pace, this hike takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Although this activity is free, a park entrance pass is required for all areas of the park year round.

The Trailhead: Where to Begin

Sieur de Monts Nature Center

Getting to the Trailhead

By car: Starting from ME Route 3, turn off at the Hulls Cove Entrance to the park and the beginning of the Park Loop Road. Follow the Park Loop road 2.8 miles before turning left onto the one way section toward Sand Beach. Exit the Park Loop Road at Sieur de Monts, take another right turn immediately, following signs to the Nature Center. The walk begins to the right of the Nature Center. Parking is limited from 9 am to 3 pm during summer months.
By bus: Take the Island Explorer (mid-June to October) to Sieur de Monts. Check bus schedules for times and routes.

The Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop are mostly level. There are accessible restrooms available in a building across the parking lot from the Nature Center and Wild Gardens of Acadia.

Note: A wooden boardwalk section may accommodate most mobility devices, but due to its width (3 feet) it may not be suitable for some wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The boardwalk has multiple pullover sections with wooden benches and wayside exhibits.
Accessible Parking: There are three angled accessible parking spaces in the Sieur de Monts parking lot. One is on the left by the restrooms building. Two others are located on the right near a path to the Nature Center and the Wild Gardens of Acadia entrance. All accessible parking spots are designated by a sign on a post and paint on the ground.

Trail Safety Tips

Check trail elevation profile before hiking.
Bring a map, water, snacks, compass, and extra layers for unpredictable changes in weather.
Reduce the chance of picking up ticks by staying in the center of the trail, and not stepping on soils and away from brush.
Always do a tick check after visiting the park.
Closed-toe, good traction shoes recommended because most trail surfaces are very unlevel.
Boardwalks can be slippery when wet. Use caution.

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Transcript

The video shows an asphalt parking loop with diagonal parking spaces. Towards the end of the parking loop there are two van accessible spaces. One is on the left side by the restrooms and is designated by a sign on a post and paint on the ground. There is a concrete path connecting the parking lot to the restrooms. The other van accessible parking space is on the right side near the paths to the nature center and the Wild Gardens of Acadia. This space is also marked by a sign on a post and paint on the ground. The asphalt path leading to the nature center winds through a stand of (birch?) trees before reaching the stone patio outside of the nature center. Extending from this patio, there is a network of trails in the area, and these are accessed by wooden bridges on either side of the nature center. The trails vary in surface material, including asphalt, compact gravel, and wooden boardwalks.

Descriptive Transcript

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Duration:: 51.285 seconds

An accessible description and transcript of the Sieur de Monts parking area in Acadia National Park. (July 2025)

Last updated: August 19, 2026

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Hike Description

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Transcript

Descriptive Transcript

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