Acadia National Park, perched on Maine’s rocky Atlantic coast, is a place of stunning beauty and rich history. It was originally established in 1916 as Sieur de Monts National Monument. It was renamed Lafayette National Park in 1919. It finally became Acadia National Park in 1929. It holds the distinction of being the first national park east of the Mississippi River and remains the only national park in the northeastern United States. The park’s landscape is a striking mix of rugged coastline, dense spruce and pine forests, and the towering presence of Cadillac Mountain—the highest peak on the U.S. east coast.
We had only a short time to explore Acadia’s extensive trail network. We set out to complete a roughly 16-mile loop. This loop would link together many of the park’s most iconic locations on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island.
Beginning at Sieur De Monts, the route took us over Champlain Mountain, up the Beehive, past Sand Beach and Thunder Hole, up the long ridgeline of Cadillac Mountain, and finally back to our starting point. It was an ambitious hike, but one that promised breathtaking views and diverse terrain along the way. Joining me for this adventure was Paul, better known as the Oklahomo Hiker, along with a few other eager companions ready to take in the wonders of Acadia.
Parking is always a challenge in Acadia. We had a few backup locations in mind in case Sieur De Monts was full. Fortunately, we found a spot, allowing us to begin the hike where we had originally planned.
From the Wild Gardens of Acadia, we followed the Wild Gardens Path to the shoreline of the Tarn, where we met the Beachcroft Path and began our climb toward Champlain Mountain. The Beachcroft Trail is a masterfully constructed route, with stone steps and switchbacks easing the ascent. The trail first crests Huguenot Head before dipping slightly and climbing again to the summit of Champlain Mountain, offering stunning views of the coastline and islands beyond.
From Champlain’s summit, we followed the Champlain South Ridge Trail, which led us down a mostly open rock ridge toward The Bowl and The Beehive. The descent was relatively gentle, with only a few steep ledges to navigate. As we approached The Bowl—a picturesque mountain pond tucked between the peaks—we reached the junction with The Beehive Trail. Since The Beehive is best tackled as an ascent, we took the Bowl Trail around the notch between Halfway Mountain and The Beehive before reaching the lower entrance to the Beehive Trail itself.
The Beehive Trail is not for the faint of heart. Though only 518 feet tall, The Beehive presents a sheer, exposed climb, with narrow ledges, iron rungs, and dizzying drops. It’s a trail that rewards confidence and careful foot placement. For those with a fear of heights, this route would be a challenge. But for us, the climb was exhilarating, and the panoramic views from the summit made every step worthwhile.
After descending the Beehive, we rejoined the Bowl Trail and followed it to the Park Loop Road, where we took a short detour to Sand Beach. A quick swim in the cold Atlantic waters was a refreshing break before we continued along the Ocean Path, a trail that parallels the rugged coastline and the Park Loop Road. We passed Thunder Hole, where the waves crash into a narrow crevice with a booming echo, and then left the Ocean Path to follow the Otter Cove Trail across the peninsula and over Otter Cove.
From there, we picked up the Quarry Path, which led us into the Blackwoods Campground. This was a good place to pause, refill our water, and take advantage of the small general store before pushing on. Leaving the campground, we picked up the Cadillac South Ridge Trail Access Trail, which brought us to Route 3 and the official start of the Cadillac South Ridge Trail.
The long climb up Cadillac Mountain was one of the most scenic sections of the hike. The trail quickly emerged from the forest onto a rocky ridgeline, providing nearly continuous views of the surrounding islands and coastline. As we ascended, the late afternoon light bathed the granite in a warm glow, making for an unforgettable approach to the summit.
After spending some time enjoying the sweeping views from the top of Cadillac Mountain, we began our descent, following the Cadillac North Ridge Trail down to the Park Loop Road. The final stretch of the journey took us along the road to the Jessup Path, which we followed back to Sieur De Monts and the Wild Gardens of Acadia.
In total, the loop covered about 16 miles with nearly 3,200 feet of elevation gain. While The Beehive was the most technical portion of the route, the combination of distance, elevation, and varied terrain made this a challenging but incredibly rewarding hike. Acadia’s beauty is undeniable, and this route was an unforgettable way to experience some of its most breathtaking landscapes.
Stats at a Glance
- Total Distance: 16 miles
- Elevation Gain: 3,200 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Highlights: Panoramic views from Mount Champlain, Beehive, and Cadillac Mountain, heart pumping climb of Beehive
For More Information
You can find this hike:
- Trails Illustrated Acadia National Park Map
- Acadia National Park Waterproof Trail Map
- Hike the Parks: Acadia National Park: Best Day Hikes, Walks, and Sights
- AMC’s Outdoor Adventures: Acadia National Park
- Hiking Acadia National Park
- AllTrails App and Desktop Maps
Gear we used on this hike:
- REI Traverse 32 Pack
- Altra Lone Peak Shoes
- Darn Tough Midweight Hiking Socks
- REI Traverse Trekking Poles
- Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie
- Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts
- Microspikes
- Energizer LED Headlamp
- NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad
- Nalgene 32-ounce Wide-Mouth Water Bottles
- Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
- Garmin Forerunner 255 Smartwatch
- Garmin InReach Explorer+ GPS
Hiking Advice and Hiking Gear Recommendations from the Hiker Trash Husbands
Jeff Senterman 