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Acadia National Park is a bucket-list destination—and for good reason. With over 125 miles of trails, hikers can explore a variety of quintessential New England terrain, like conifer forests, pristine granite mountains, and rocky coastal horizons. Whether you’re scrambling up an exposed rock face on Cadillac Mountain to catch the first sunrise in America, making your way along immaculate coastline on the Ocean Path, or soaking in the beauty of Jordan Pond’s crystal-clear waters, Acadia takes the cake for East Coast dayhiking. Explore Maine’s wild beauty with our top eight choices that make up the best hikes in Acadia National Park.
Cadillac Mountain
- Start: North Ridge Trailhead
- Style: Out-and-back
- Length: 4.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,227 feet
No trip to Acadia is complete without hiking to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. From 1,530 feet—the highest vantage point in the park—you’ll take in a panoramic view of Frenchman Bay with Bar Harbor, the Porcupine Islands, and the Schoodic Peninsula. Don’t miss out on soaking in fall color, which peaks in mid-October, or an early sunrise from this spot. It’s beyond spectacular.
Champlain Mountain
- Start: Precipice Loop Trailhead
- Style: Loop
- Length: 2.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,129 feet
Adrenaline junkies should add the Precipice Trail Loop to their must-hike list. Of all the routes in the park, this trek tops the list as the most exposed and difficult of them all. The cliff face ascent features massive boulder scrambles, steep iron rung ladders, and thick chains to hold while navigating narrow ledges. Bring your mental and physical strength (and grippy hiking boots) for this unique trail. If Champlain is a bigger challenge than you’re looking for, opt instead for the tamer Beehive Loop Trail (1.5 miles). Keep in mind: Precipice Trail closes during Peregrine Falcon nesting season (March-July) to protect their fragile dwellings on the granite cliffsides along the route.
Ocean Path
- Start: Ocean Path Trailhead
- Style: Out-and-Back
- Length: 4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 436 feet
Looking for a hike that’s perfect for the whole family? The Ocean Path flaunts Maine’s immaculate coastal scenery along a gentle pathway hugging the shoreline from Sand Beach and Otter Point. You’ll see some of the most popular stops in the park along the way, like monstrous crashing waves at Thunder Hole and a postcard view of the 110-foot-tall granite headland, Otter Cliff. Trust us: Ocean views don’t get much better than this.
Jordan Pond Path
- Start: Jordan Pond Loop Trailhead
- Style: Loop
- Length: 6.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 728 feet
One of the best hikes in Acadia National Park includes one of the most approachable trails in the park: the Jordan Pond Loop. It’s loved by families, kids, and seasoned hikers alike. You’ll follow Jordan Pond’s western shore, navigating approachable boulder fields right at the water’s edge before transitioning to raised, wooden boardwalks that continue to the final mile through lacustrine wetland (read: lake adjacent wetlands). Similar to Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond is an Acadia staple you don’t want to skip.
Jordan Cliffs
- Start: Jordan Cliffs Loop Trailhead
- Style: Lollipop Loop
- Length: 5.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,097 feet
If Precipice Trail is packed, opt instead for Jordan Cliffs. The slightly longer, yet slightly easier trail includes the same fun challenges (like iron rungs and narrow cliff walks) but without the crowds. The climb winds along the dramatic eastern cliff faces of Penobscot Mountain with stunning overlooks of Jordan Pond nestled in the glacial-sculpted valley below. Note: Jordan Cliffs Loop also closes between March and mid-August during the Peregrine Falcon nesting season.
Gorham Mountain
- Start: Gorham Mountain Loop Trailhead
- Style: Loop
- Length: 3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 666 feet
Save the regret of shrugging off Gorham Mountain’s modest 525-foot summit height with a hike that shows off the best of Acadia National Park: grand mountains and picturesque Atlantic shoreline. This lesser-traveled trail climbs steadily through spruce forest before popping out on exposed granite with views of Cadillac Mountain in the distance and the Porcupine Islands and Sand Beach below.
Sargent Mountain
- Start: Giant Slide Loop Trailhead
- Style: Lollipop Loop
- Length: 5.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,621 feet
Challenge yourself with a longer, steep hike to Mt. Desert Island’s second-highest peak, Sargent Mountain, on the Giant Slide Loop. The 1,300-foot total ascent also includes passing over Gilmore Peak and Parkman Mountain. This trail will keep you on your toes while traveling on its varied terrain, like ducking through narrow rock passages and scrambling over large boulders.
Historic Carriage Roads
- Start: Eagle Lake
- Style: Out-and-back, Point-to-Point, Loop
- Distance: 45 miles
Don’t sleep on a stroll along Acadia’s Historic Carriage Roads. These rustic “broken stone roads,” built throughout the park between 1913 and 1940, provide a flat, wide path for a more accessible national park experience. Multi-sport national park goers can also explore the 45 miles of paths that cater to trail running, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horse-drawn carriage rides, too.
What to Know About Hiking in Acadia National Park
There’s no backpacking.
Notice all of these trails are dayhikes? That’s because Acadia only allows camping in designated sites. The park contains a total of four campgrounds, all of which are open for advance reservations on Recreation.gov.
Many trails close during the Peregrine Falcon nesting season (March-July).
Popular hiking areas, including the Precipice Trail, Jordan Cliffs Trail, Penobscot East Trail, and Valley Cove Trail in Acadia typically close March 1. The cliff areas where these popular trails are located provide ideal nesting habitat for the falcons, which is why Acadia’s most thrilling hikes close down during prime hiking season to protect the species and their nesting areas. Track trail closure status and updates at go.nps.gov/AcadiaAlerts.
Rainy weather impacts Acadia’s granite trails significantly.
Safety always comes first: Rocky surfaces throughout the park become extremely slippery when wet, so avoid cliff trails in the rain. Many of Acadia National Park’s most popular hikes feature iron rungs, ladders, and exposed cliff sections that require dry conditions for safe passage. Always check weather and trail conditions, and avoid highly technical trails when wet—especially in heavy rain.
Reservations are required to drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain from the end of May through mid-October.
Cadillac Summit Road requires a reservation between May 21 through October 26 due to high visitation during peak season. To reserve a spot online in advance, visit the Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations page online, or you can book a ride on the Cadillac Mountain Summit Shuttle. Hikers, however, do not need a reservation to hike to the summit.
From 2025