Best trails in Bar Harbor
4.6·78,383 reviews
Looking for the best hiking trails in Bar Harbor? Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 83 scenic trails in the Bar Harbor area. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Explore one of 24 easy hiking trails in Bar Harbor or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Check out some trails with historic sights or adventure through the nature areas surrounding Bar Harbor that are perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts at any skill level.
Top trails
1
(12451)
•Hard
•1.5 mi
The Beehive Trail Loop is one of the most popular hikes in Acadia National Park. This popular loop offers incredible views, with some challenging rung and ladder sections. This loop starts at the Sand Beach Parking Lot, traverses over the Beehive, reaches the Bowl Pond, and then loops back on the Bowl Trail.
The route should only be hiked in the counterclockwise direction. Going counterclockwise, you go up the rungs and ladders, which is much easier than going down them. Also, this way you...
2
(6840)
•Moderate
•3.0 mi
•Est. 1h 29m
The Gorham Mountain Loop is a wonderful hike that will take you over mountain ledges, along the shore of the Atlantic, and the iconic Sand Beach.
From the Gorham Mountain Trailhead you will go up and over the ledges of Gorham Mountain while taking in ocean views. After descending the mountain and meeting the Bowl Trail, you will cross over to the Sand Beach Parking lot and take the Ocean Path past Thunder Hole.
Continue walking past Thunder Hole and look for a stump with Gorham Mountain...
3
(4756)
•Easy
•4.5 mi
•Est. 1h 39m
Starting at the south end of the upper Sand Beach Parking lot, the easy 2.2 mile mostly flat one-way Ocean Path trail parallels the loop road all the way to Otter Point. The path offers scenic views and numerous access points to outcroppings above the rocky shore, including major attractions like Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff. Great trail to stroll or to deviate and explore the best Acadia has to offer. Get to the area early before any tour buses or late around sunset and you can have the...
4
(7161)
•Moderate
•4.2 mi
•Est. 2h 23m
This trail goes to the highest point in Acadia National Park. To get to the start of the hike, you may need to park before a closed section of the park loop road nearest the trailhead. From there, you take the Kebo Trail for a little bit, and then there's a sign to the start of the Cadillac North Ridge Trail. You will stay on this trail until you reach the summit and use it to descend back to the trailhead.
From the top Schoodic Peninsula and Frenchman Bay are visible. This hike is popular...
5
(4386)
•Hard
•3.5 mi
This hike involves scaling ladders and scrambling, making it very technical.
Along the way visitors will enjoy views from atop The Beehive and Gorham Mountain, and walk alongside The Bowl pond and Atlantic Ocean.
It is recommended to do this hike counter clockwise so hikers are ascending the ladders on The Beehive rather than descending them.
6
(5471)
•Hard
•2.6 mi
The Precipice Trail is a difficult and very steep loop trail using iron rungs and ladders on exposed cliffs providing spectacular views of Acadia National Park.
The hike is not recommended during wet conditions, or if you experience vertigo; also not recommended for small children. The trail starts up steps and through some boulder scrambles. While officially a non-technical hike due to strategically placed iron rungs, ladders and rock ledges, this is really a climb that requires you to be...
7
(2894)
•Easy
•0.5 mi
•Est. 12m
This short, family-friendly walking trail has breathtaking views of the coast, including Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. According to the park website, this is the only accessible trail to/around Cadillac Mountain.
Accessibility: Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or adaptive/motorized equipment for the surface type and grade. There are 5 designated accessible parking spaces in the paved parking lot, 3 of which are van-accessible...
8
(2731)
•Hard
•1.5 mi
•Est. 1h 0m
Users will be rewarded with views from the summit of The Beehive of the coast and surrounding mountains before dropping down to the banks of The Bowl. The Bowl is a very picturesque Pond tucked onto the side of Champlain Mountain.
The trail going up The Beehive is exposed and walks along a cliff edge at times.
9
(3486)
•Easy
•1.9 mi
•Est. 45m
To access Bar Island, park in the town of Bar Harbor near Bridge St. and walk across the land bridge. The land bridge is only accessible 1.5 hours before and after low tide. If stranded, the next low tide will not occur for 9 hours and users will need to hire a water taxi.
Once hikers travel across the land bridge and reach the island, they will begin walking on an old road. A right-hand spur off the road leads to an old home site and views back towards Bar Harbor. To get back to town, users...
10
(2343)
•Hard
•4.7 mi
Follow the Gorge Path, which parallels a creek at times before meeting up with the Cadillac-Dorr Connector. The Gorge Path also has some large boulders to hike over.
Follow this path to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, famous for its sunrises.
Descend back down rocky slabs along the Cadillac North Ridge Trail.
Showing results 1–10 of 83
Trail reviews for Bar Harbor
Completed the hike in October. Great weather, great views, very technical hike. This is a loop trail. If you are traveling with kids/ babies, elderly People, or not in shape people, then I highly recommend doing the loop in reverse. You get to skip the steep climbing with bars in the rocks but still get the same view up Top. Other than that, if you’re adventurous then do the technical climb. It was very fun and challenging. Don’t be scared of heights bc there are some spots that may look like you could fall and die
Beautiful hike, saw a lovely sunset on the way through. Only saw maybe 3 people. Really peaceful and beautiful views without being too difficult. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Acadia.
Difficulty: Moderate
Gorham Mountain Loop
Did this as a sunrise hike in June and was well worth waking up at 2 am! Trail can be slightly difficult to follow, especially in the dark, as majority is along rocks. Views are amazing even prior to summit. I enjoyed that the trail is out-and-back because it is a completely different experience on the descent. Would absolutely reccomend this trail.
Difficulty: Hard
Incredible trail! A fair bit of scrambling on the beehive bit but so worth it for the view. I recommend hiking the extra but of Ocean Path either before completing the loop or after and driving to finish it. Worth it for the view at Otter Point
Parking: Entry fee, Free, Large lot
Beehive, Gorham Mountain and Ocean Path Loop
My girlfriend was scared going into it but wound up loving it. Definitely worth the hype!
Conditions: No bugs
Precipice Loop
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of hiking trails in Bar Harbor?
There are plenty of things to do on Bar Harbor's hiking trails. On AllTrails.com, you'll find 76 hiking trails, 41 running trails, 15 walking trails, and more.
What is the longest trail in Bar Harbor?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bar Harbor is Mount Desert Island Marathon. This trail is estimated to be 26.3 mi long.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbor: With an ascent of 4,445 ft, Cadillac, Dorr, Pemetic, and Bubbles Loop has the most elevation gain of all of the trails in the area. The next highest ascent trail is Dorr, Cadillac, Pemetic and Dike Peak Loop with 3,248 ft of elevation gain.
What is the most popular and difficult trail in Bar Harbor?
The most popular and difficult trail in Bar Harbor is The Beehive Loop Trail with a 4.9-star rating from 12,451 reviews.
Are there camping trails available in Bar Harbor?
According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 camping trail in Bar Harbor which is Cadillac North Ridge Trail to South Ridge Trail with an average 4.7 star rating from 368 community reviews.
Are there running trails available in Bar Harbor?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 41 running trails in Bar Harbor and the most popular is Ocean Path Trail with an average 4.7 star rating from 4,756 community reviews.
Are there biking trails available in Bar Harbor?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 9 biking trails in Bar Harbor and the most popular is Eagle Lake Carriage Road Trail with an average 4.7 star rating from 1,683 community reviews.