10 Amazing Hikes in Acadia National Park
Looking for the best hikes in Acadia National Park? Whether you're a thrill-seeker ready to tackle iron rungs, a photographer chasing the perfect sunrise, or a dog lover exploring with your four-legged friend, Acadia has a trail for you.
Most hikes in Acadia are under 5 miles, making it easy to combine two or three in a single day. And because the park is woven into the charming coastal town of Mount Desert Island—including Bar Harbor—you can hike in the morning, grab a lobster roll for lunch, and hit another trail by afternoon.
After spending three weeks hiking Acadia’s best trails during peak fall season, here are our top 10 Acadia hikes, complete with tips for avoiding crowds, enjoying views, and knowing which ones are pup-approved.
Quick Picks: Best Acadia Hikes by Category
Best for Thrill Seekers: Precipice Trail
Best Starter Ladder Trail: Beehive Trail
Best for Avoiding Crowds: Beech Cliffs Trail
Best for Sunrise: Gorham Mountain Loop
Best Fall Foliage Walk: Jesup Path
Best Easy Hike: Jordan Pond Path
Best Scenic Rock Scramble: The Bubbles
Best Coastal Walk: Ocean Path
Most Unique: Bar Island Trail
Best Off-the-Beaten Path: Schoodic Peninsula
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1. Precipice Trail – Best Challenging Hike in Acadia
The Precipice Trail was hands-down our favorite hike in Acadia National Park. It’s challenging, exhilarating, and offers unbeatable views. If you’re not afraid of heights, this is the one to do. We’d crown it the best hike in Acadia, the most fun, and easily the most daring—all in one.
This 2.1-mile loop climbs about 1,000 feet using a network of iron rungs and ladders that guide you up exposed cliff faces. It’s the most adventurous hike in Acadia and not for the faint of heart.
RTL Tip: Start at sunrise to give yourself plenty of time and beat the crowds—or go late if you’re a confident hiker! We started at 4:30pm on a Saturday in October and only saw a handful of other hikers. (By contrast, when we hiked the Beehive Trail that same morning around 8:15am, it was essentially a conga line.) Make sure to take the Orange/Black Trail back down rather than descending the ladders. And if you're nervous about heights or ladder rungs, test your nerves first with the Beehive Trail or Beech Cliffs Trail.
Dog-Friendly? No. Ladder hikes in Acadia National Park are not dog-friendly.
⚠️ Seasonal Closure Notice: The Precipice Trail is closed annually from March through mid-August to protect nesting peregrine falcons. Check current conditions on the NPS website before you go.
2. Beehive Trail – Best Starter Ladder Trail
Beehive is like Precipice’s warm-up act—similar in style, but shorter, less intense, and a great intro to Acadia’s ladder trails. This 1.5-mile round-trip hike features iron rungs, exposed cliff sections, and sweeping views that come quickly as you ascend. It covers about half the elevation gain of Precipice and includes fewer ladders and drop-offs, but still manages to get your adrenaline going in the best way.
RTL Tip: This is one of Acadia’s most popular hikes, so crowd timing is everything. Aim to start at sunrise if you want some solitude. After your final ladder section, pause to enjoy the first scenic overlook, but don’t stop there! Keep following the trail to a second overlook that’s often quieter and just as beautiful.
We also recommend completing the full loop rather than taking the shortcut back. This way, you’ll pass by a serene mountain pond known as The Bowl, which is a beautiful bonus stop before returning to Park Loop Road.
If you're comfortable with heights and trying to choose between Beehive and Precipice, we recommend Precipice. It has more extensive ladder and rung sections and offers a longer, more immersive climbing adventure. But if you have time for both, then by all means!
Dog-Friendly? No.
3. Beech Cliffs – Best Crowd-Free Ladder Trail
Looking for a ladder trail without the crowds of Precipice or Beehive? Beech Cliffs is your best bet. This 1.8-mile loop near Echo Lake features four ladders of varying heights that take you up to a stunning overlook. The views from the top rival Beehive’s, without the traffic.
We started this hike around 10:30am on a Saturday in October, had no trouble parking, and passed only about a dozen other hikers on the trail. It’s a peaceful alternative if you're craving a quieter adventure with a similar payoff.
RTL Tip: You can start this trail from a few different locations, but we recommend parking at Echo Lake Beach and hiking up the ladders first. It makes the climb more fun and the views more rewarding. Be sure to continue along the trail once you reach the top—don’t miss the overlook on the right, it’s one of the best spots on the route!
Dog-Friendly? No.
4. Gorham Loop – Best Sunrise Hike
This was one of our absolute favorite hikes in Acadia—second only to Precipice—and it comes with a powerful recommendation: Wake up early for a sunrise hike. The idea came from my sister, who had visited the park the year before and discovered that while Cadillac Mountain gets all the sunrise glory, Gorham Mountain offers just as much magic—without the crowds.
The Gorham Mountain Loop is around 3 miles round trip and features a gradual incline with expansive views along the way. About 20 minutes into the hike, you’ll hit a stretch of open granite ledges with sweeping views of the coastline. This is the perfect place to pause and watch the sunrise paint the trees and ocean below.
When we hiked it on a Thursday morning in October, we only saw one other group during our entire sunrise stop. The peacefulness and color were unforgettable. You can continue on to the summit for a higher view, but our favorite sunrise spot was just before the top, especially beautiful during peak foliage.
RTL Tip: Start your hike about 30 minutes before sunrise to reach the viewpoint in time. The loop also connects with Ocean Path, so you’ll pass scenic landmarks like Thunder Hole on your way back down, making this a great combo route.
Dog-Friendly? Yes!
5. Jesup Path – Best Fall Foliage Walk
Jesup Path is one of the easiest and most enchanting trails in Acadia, especially in the fall. This 2.2-mile out-and-back path winds through a vibrant forest and open meadow, much of it along a raised boardwalk that feels like stepping into a fall foliage fairyland.
The boardwalk makes this trail both accessible and photogenic, with golden light filtering through the trees and colorful leaves lining your path. It’s a favorite among photographers and a peaceful escape from some of the park’s more intense hikes.
You’ll find restrooms near the trailhead at the Wild Gardens of Acadia, making this a great pick for families or those looking for a relaxed walk.
RTL Tip: Plan to visit during golden hour (the hour before sunset) for the most magical light and fewest crowds. The soft, low-angle sun makes the trees glow, and it’s a great time for quiet reflection or capturing that perfect photo.
Dog-Friendly? Yes!
6. Jordan Pond – Best Easy Scenic Loop
Jordan Pond is another one of Acadia’s most iconic hikes. This 3-mile loop wraps around the crystal-clear pond with sweeping views of the Bubbles, peaceful forested sections, and long stretches of elevated boardwalk that wind through wetlands and woods.
We first visited Jordan Pond on a day trip from the Schoodic Peninsula after asking a ranger for top recommendations. Their advice? Don’t miss Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake.
The loop is mostly flat, though parts of the trail include light rock scrambling and uneven footing. Half the trail hugs the shoreline on a dirt path, while the other half winds through the woods on a charming wooden boardwalk. You can also connect to other popular hikes from here, including South Bubble and Eagle Lake.
RTL Tip: Want to start on the scenic boardwalk section? From the main parking lot, follow the path down to the water and turn left at the welcome sign. For the fastest access to other trails—or a perfect photo op of the Bubbles reflecting in the pond—go right instead.
Dog-Friendly? Yes! (Just note that dogs aren’t allowed to swim in the pond, as it’s a public water source.)
7. The Bubbles – Best Scenic Rock Scramble
The Bubbles are a pair of rounded peaks—North and South Bubble—offering a fun, unique hike in Acadia. They connect easily with the Jordan Pond Path but are also worth hiking on their own. This short, moderate trail delivers impressive views without a huge time commitment.
South Bubble is home to the famous Bubble Rock, a giant glacial erratic perched at the edge of a cliff that looks like it could tumble off at any moment (don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere). It’s a favorite photo spot and a fun visual reward for the climb.
RTL Tip: While Bubble Rock gets most of the attention, North Bubble arguably has the better view. The summit overlooks Eagle Lake and offers a quieter experience if you’re looking to escape the photo crowd. If you have the time, hike to both summits—they’re close together and each offers a unique perspective.
Parking at the Bubbles Trailhead can be tight, especially mid-day, but there are additional pull-offs along the road or a larger lot at Jordan Pond. From there, you can take the Jordan Pond Path to South Bubble.
Dog-Friendly? Yes. Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake are also dog-friendly if you’d like to add those trails to your adventure.
8. Ocean Path – Best Coastal Walk
Ocean Path is a scenic 4.5-mile round-trip trail that traces the rugged coastline of Mount Desert Island, offering access to some of Acadia’s most iconic sights. It connects several major park attractions including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs, making it a great way to link sightseeing with a longer walk.
The path is relatively flat and easy, though it runs parallel to Park Loop Road for most of the route. That means you’ll encounter other visitors who drive between sights, but the real beauty of Ocean Path lies in stepping off the main trail. Wander out onto the granite slabs or down smaller side trails to truly soak in the Atlantic views.
RTL Tip: For the best chance to hear the famous thunder-like boom at Thunder Hole, arrive about one hour before high tide, especially if winds are strong and waves are active. Just know it’s hit or miss depending on the ocean conditions, so bring patience and check the tide chart ahead of time.
If you’re hiking the Beehive Trail and parking at the Sand Beach lot, it’s easy to add Ocean Path to your day. Just be ready for more crowds along this popular stretch.
Dog-Friendly? Yes, but it’s likely to be busy. (Dogs are not allowed on Sand Beach from June 15–Sept 8.)
Sand Beach
Thunder Hole
End of Ocean Path Trail
9. Bar Island Trail – Most Unique Timing
How often do you plan a hike around the ocean’s schedule? That’s what makes the Bar Island Trail so memorable. This short and scenic hike is only accessible during a narrow window—about 1.5 hours before and after low tide—when a natural land bridge emerges and connects Bar Harbor to Bar Island across Frenchman Bay.
Once on the island, the main trail leads through the forest to a modest overlook, but some of the best views are found by wandering the lesser-used trails that hug the island’s edges.
RTL Tip: Go as close to the beginning of the low-tide window as possible so you have time to explore and safely return. We loved venturing along the island’s outer paths—they offered some of the most beautiful perspectives of Bar Harbor across the bay. Just be mindful of your timing: if you miss the return window, you'll be stranded until the next low tide or forced to call a water taxi.
Dog-Friendly? Yes!
Looking towards Bar Island
Looking from Bar Island back towards Bar Harbor
10. Schoodic Peninsula – Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure
If you’re looking to escape the crowds on Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula is your off-the-beaten-path gem. Located about 75 minutes by car from Bar Harbor (or just 45 minutes by ferry), this lesser-visited section of Acadia offers the same dramatic coastline and natural beauty, with a fraction of the visitors.
The peninsula features several peaceful hiking trails, rocky beaches, and panoramic viewpoints. We especially loved exploring Schoodic Point, where waves crash against the pink granite shore, and Blueberry Hill, which offers a gentle climb with sweeping coastal views.
RTL Tip: If you have extra time in your itinerary, Schoodic makes for a perfect day trip or a peaceful alternative base. Bring a picnic, walk the shoreline, and soak up the stillness. It feels like a different side of Acadia—quieter, wilder, and equally stunning.
Dog-Friendly? Yes.
Plan Your Acadia Adventure
Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful and diverse parks in the U.S. Whether you’re here for a thrill, a sunrise, or a quiet walk with your pup, Acadia has a trail for you. These are our favorites, but the real magic happens when you lace up your boots and go find yours!
📍 For more planning, don’t miss our favorite things to do near Bar Harbor and our sample one-day Acadia National Park itineraries.
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➡️ Want more Acadia tips? Check out related posts below.
✅ Last Update: June 2025. Always check the NPS conditions page for current closures before you go.
To help you plan your next adventure, we’ve put together 5 one-day Acadia itineraries you can mix, match, or stack into a full five-day trip. These road trip-inspired plans cover everything from sunrise hikes and iconic viewpoints to lobster shacks and secret spots locals love.