Plan your trip to Acadia with these 3 can’t miss hikes.
By Bekah Whitney
When we shared that our travels would bring us to Maine, the first question we were always asked was, “Are you planning on going to Acadia?”. Although we usually plan on hitting any National Parks we are near, neither of us had put much thought into it. Good thing everyone else drilled it into our heads as a must do because some of the most amazing hikes I have ever done are in this park!
If you are not familiar with the NPS, here are our 3 biggest tips:
On to the hikes! We were able to spend two full amazing days in the park and here is a list of our favorites:
This hike is a definite bucket list item. The trail allows you access terrain that would normally be reserved for rock climbers, but is made accessible because of rungs embedded into the rock. The sheer impressiveness of this hike makes it my number one.
Length: 3.2 Miles Round Trip Loop
Elevation Gain: 1,053 ft
Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 44.34956, -68.18842
Or Type in: Precipice Trailhead
Getting there: Since this hike lies inside of Acadia National Park you must pay to get in. 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. The trail begins at the Precipice parking lot, approximately 1.5 miles past Sieur de Monts Spring on your right.
The Hike: This hike is one of the few hikes that we ever recommend that you cannot bring pets on. And unless your dog can climb ladders or you plan to have them in your backpack the whole time, it is obvious why. When we hiked it had downpoured for a few hours in the morning and, although there were slick parts, with how many handholds and railings there were I did not feel unsafe at any point.
The first part of the hike is pretty straight up and full of boulder hopping. Once you get past the precipice and to the fork, you can take the orange and black trail back down to the road or continue to the summit by taking the Champlain trail. Go to the summit! The trail continues to be difficult, but since we were climbing while it was wet, it was a slower process, plus we kept looking at the beautiful views so it didn’t feel as difficult.
Once you get to the section that is mostly flat and on the ridge, you will hike a little bit to the summit. At the summit there are 360 degree views. It’s pretty spectacular.
After you take in the gorgeous views it is time to head down. This is where we actually started heading the wrong way. We were following the Cairns and blue dashes, but we were heading down the wrong side. Make sure you are heading towards the ocean-side of the rock.
Eventually you will merge with the Orange and Black trail. At this time you will be pretty close! You will come out at the road and walk down it for a short bit to the parking lot.
The beehive trail felt short and easy after doing the Precipice trail. This fun trail is rated difficult but because of how short it is, if you are up for the challenge I would suggest going for it!
Length: 1.5 Miles Round Trip Loop
Elevation Gain: 508 ft
Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 44.33183, -68.18526
Or Type In: Beehive Trailhead
Getting there: After passing through the Sand Beach Entrance Station, find parking either in the right-hand lane (where signs say it is permitted) or in the Sand Beach Parking Lot. Expect congestion as this is a popular hike and a great spot to get to the beach. The trailhead starts on the right side of the road near the crosswalk.
The hike: It starts out a little steep and then levels out. When you come to the fork you can technically go either way since it’s a loop, but we suggest heading to the right since it will be easier to climb the ladders up instead of down. At the top you will be able to look across the ocean and down at Sand Beach, where we suggest you end your day.
Sand Beach: After your hike make sure to spend some time down on Sand Beach. We were lucky enough to catch a beautiful sunset.
This one is actually made up of a few hikes we put together and named accordingly. Starting at Sargent Mountain Trailhead you will first hike to Bald Peak, 968 ft, over to Parkman Mountain, 935 ft, on to Gilmore Peak, 1024ft, and finally up to Sargent Mountain, 1362 ft. Since I weaved this trail together you can go a few different ways or make a loop out of it. There was a closure in the park the day we hiked, so we treated it as an out and back for a total of 4 miles.
Length: 4 Miles Round Trip, Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 1,460
Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 44.32608, -68.29115
Or Type In: Sargent Mountain Trailhead
Getting there: After reaching Mount Desert Island on ME Route 3, stay to the right to follow ME Route 102. At the stop light turn left following ME Route 198 towards Northeast Harbor. Pass the Parkman Mountain parking lot on the left, which is where you can park if this area is full, and park at the next pullout parking area called Norumbega Parking on the right. The trailhead is located on the opposite side of the highway.
The Hike:
To Bald Peak: Start out on Sargent Mountain Trail next to the highway follow the signs to Bald Peak, you will cross over two carriage roads and just keep going up. Once the hike turns into rock face you will start to see out into the ocean and beyond. Bald peak will be the first fun outlook section.
To Parkman Mountain: After Bald Peak, it is on to Parkman Mountain, which is a short traverse with one steep section down and an incline back up. Once atop Parkman, you can see over to Gilmore Peak.
To Gilmore Peak: From Parkman Mountain to Gilmore Peak is one of the more strenuous sections. I had to unleash Yukon and have him on voice command so he wouldn’t pull me down the rocky hill. At the bottom, there is a nice little creek for your pup to drink from. Once down you will traverse on dirt for a little bit before heading back up again to Gilmore Peak.
To Sargent Mountain: At the top, you will notice there are no clear signs of how to get to Sargent. Once at the sign with Gilmore’s elevation, turn 90 degrees to your left, and walk a couple paces, you’ll see the cairns leading you down the other side of the mountain. Once down you will look up for your final stretch to the top of Sargent Mountain. This section uphill is also difficult as there is loose dirt and rocks. Once you get to the top though the 360-degree views are worth it! The wind cooled us off and you are able to run around on the top and look off at the different views.
The way back: As I stated earlier there are a few different ways you can go back that don’t include hitting all the peaks, but if you want to do the same way back, we loved it!
Hi! I’m Bekah, but you can call me Beks, all my friends do! I travel full-time in a tiny home on wheels that my partner, Sawyer, and I built from a cargo trailer shell in 2019. We started out in beautiful Colorado and have been all over the United States over the years. This space is designed to inspire and guide the nature obsessed nomad, weekend warrior, and future roadlifer. I’m so excited you’re here!
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After our 4 Peaks Hike, we had enough daylight left to hit the grocery store and cook and with all the fresh seafood stands near where we were camping, we decided the best plan was to make our own dinner at home.
Our suggestion, if you’re up for it, is to get fresh scallops or clams (or both) from the store or seafood stand, make a white wine sauce, saute red peppers, mushrooms, and onions and serve over pasta. Don’t forget the bread to soak up the sauce when you are done!
I love these boots for day hiking with a light pack. Their thick sole, arch support, and squishy insoles are perfect for hiking in extreme conditions.
If you have never owned a pair of Teva’s before I would suggest going to try some on, as I feel they run large. I have gone down half a size on these hiking boots as well as my sandals.
If someone tells you the type of socks you hike in are unimportant, they are dead wrong.
Wool socks help keep your foot dry and able to breathe. Hiking specific socks provide cushioning in areas that are susceptible to rubbing.
If you ever see me hiking in socks other than SmartWool, it’s because I need to do laundry soon as they are my absolute favorite and are already dirty.
Sawyer turned me onto Osprey packs a long time ago. There is literally a perfect size for every activity out there!
The reason I love this pack is the awesome waist strap with pockets, the compact size, and how light it feels when I put it on!
