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Photo courtesy of Chris Bennett. Used with permission.
Explore Hikes
Hiking opportunities at Acadia are seemingly endless on more than 150 miles of trails. Immerse yourself in forests, walk along rocky coastlines, or stand on exposed mountain tops — sometimes all in one hike.
Don't be fooled by the height of the park's mountains; challenging hikes climb from sea level to summits. If a leisurely stroll along the coast or around a lake is more your pace, there are plenty of easier, more level options. Many trails can also be combined with walks on the carriage roads and dirt fire roads.
Consult a topographic map before hiking. Do not rely on the park handout map. To buy trail maps, visit the bookstore. .
Here's a selection of trail descriptions to get you started.
Find more through categories and prompts listed below.
By Location
Check out these alphabetical listings of hiking options based on what parts of the park you decide to visit.
Check out the hiking trails and bike paths on Schoodic Peninsula.
By Environment
Hiking trails at Acadia pass through a variety of environments. Some stay in forested areas or along the coastline, while others outline lakes, rise through the trees, and walk along cliffs to mountain tops. You will even find some hikes fall into all three categories.
Looking for more tree coverage and views of lakes and ponds? See hikes that pass by freshwater or weave through the forest.
By Route
Enjoy seeing a trail twice? Check out a few out-and-back options. Do you want different views the whole way? Luckily, most hikes are loops or can be turned into them by linking together various trails. Some are even recommended as loops for safety based on steepness, iron rungs and ladders, or cliffs.
Some routes in the park are part of a impressive historic trail network that stretches across Mount Desert Island.
By Public Transportation
Leave your car behind and ride the fare-free Island Explorer to a number of trailheads. This helps reduce congestion on park roads and in parking areas. Familiar with the park already? Create longer hikes using different drop off and pick up locations. Always check bus routes and schedules before trip-planning.
