Guidebook for Bar Harbor and Acadia

Just after you cross over the first bridge to Mount Desert Island, stop at the Thompson Island Information Center on the right to get a park map and poke around a bit. It’s best to purchase a pass as they are now ticketing at all Acadia parking lots and it will give you access to Sand Beach and Thunder Hole on the park loop road. Mount Desert Island has an east and a west side divided by Somes Sound, the only natural fiord on the west Atlantic. 60% of the island is Acadia National Park with its majority, as well as the town of Bar Harbor, located on the east side.

As you drive around the island you will drive in and out of park territory and any one of the four townships on this island (Bar Harbor, Tremont, Southwest Harbor, and the Town of Mt Desert). Bar Harbor is the tourist hub for shopping and eating, but Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor both offer a Main St with a strip of shops and restaurants as well as a busy harbor and marina for working and recreational boating.

Echo Lake on the west side of the island is my favorite. Park at the Acadia Mtn parking lot and walk the path down to the lake. Sand Beach is great for pictures but it is open ocean and COLD all year round. The west side of Long Pond has a wonderful hike to a bluff about 2 mile in (it's obvious when you get there). Worth the effort to get to this swim spot! Park at the south end of the lake and walk to the left side of the water.

These trails have rungs and ladders adding more fun to the hike, but not for those with a fear of heights. You can google hike distance and times. • Precipice Trail- most intense hike on the island, sometimes closed for Peregrine Falcon nesting. • Jordan Cliff Trail- A fun trail located near the Jordan Pond House where you can eat after and enjoy a gorgeous view of Jordan Pond and the Bubble Mtns. • Beehive- The trailhead is right across from the Sand Beach Parking area and can be included in Great Head parking adventure.

Beech Cliff Trail to Canada Cliff trail- can extend hike through Beech Mtn parking lot and up to the top of Beech Mtn with amazing views of the “quiet side” (the west side) of the island.

East side: • Great Head • Lower Hadlock Pond- On the way to Northeast Harbor West side: • Flying Mtn- about 15 min to the top with gorgeous views of Somes Sound, 20 min down to Valley Cove, then 15 min walk on logging road back to your car.

These are great for views of the hills and/or water - take a picnic! East side: • Compass Harbor- leaving Bar Harbor on Rt 3 headed south, parking on the left. • The Shore Path- perfect for an after dinner walk in Bar Harbor, it starts at the town pier and goes in front of the famous Bar Harbor Inn, about ¾ mile long. • Bar Island- refer to other post about Bar Island • Hunters Beach- Over near Blackwoods Campground West side: • Seawall picnic area • Wonderland • Ships Harbor

Longer walks without the incline: East side: • Jordan Pond Trail- about 4 miles with gorgeous views of the pond and fun boardwalks through the woods • Witch Hole Loop- 3 mile carriage road loop • Eagle Lake loop- 6 mile carriage road loop, also good for biking. West side: • Long Pond Loop trail- the full loop is 5 miles with a little elevation but you can walk about 2 miles along the left edge of Long Pond to a great swim spot (its obvious when you get there) then simply back track to your car.

East side: • Norumbega Mtn Loop- Begin from Lower Hadlock Pond loop. Avoid the trailhead at the parking area on Rt 198 as it’s super steep super fast and just a leg burnout. West side: • The Perpendicular Trail- a super cool and total ass-kicker with over 800 log, ledge, and granite steps taking you to the top of Mansell Mtn with immediate views overlooking Long Pond. There are many trail options to take back to your car making the rest of your hike as long or short as you want. • Acadia and St Saveur Mtns- each can be hiked alone but make a great double summit - swim in Echo lake after!

As for all the other hiking in the park, you can’t go wrong. If you have a bike, or want to rent one, be sure to take advantage of the 45 miles of carriage roads. They also make for amazing x-country skiing in the winter. If you are an outdoor enthusiast and only have a couple days on the island, you may be convinced to return another time to explore the waters via kayak, nature cruise, whale watcher, or an island tour, not to mention all the hiking you won’t get to this time. Rock climbing is also a popular activity on the island.