The Best Easy Hikes in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park has some incredible hiking options right next to the Atlantic Ocean! Hiking is a special way to experience the magic of this national park, and this article is here to help you find the best easy hikes in Acadia.

No matter your age, ability, or skill level, there is a fabulous hike in Acadia for you. The best easy hikes in Acadia are the Ship Harbor Trail, Ocean Path, South Bubble, Jordan Pond Path, and the Cadillac Summit Loop.

My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. Any time spent on a trail in Acadia is time well-spent! You are going to love these beautiful and easy hiking trails in the park.

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What are the Best Easy Hikes in Acadia?

Acadia National Park has so many incredible trail options — you’ll especially be excited by the mountain and ocean views you are treated to along the trails in this park!

If a trail is less than three miles, doesn’t gain more than 300 feet of elevation, and is somewhere I take my own small children, it’s included in this list of the best easy hiking trails in Acadia.

Cadillac Summit Loop

The summit of Cadillac Mountain is the highest point in Acadia! You’ll love the 360-degree views as you take this easy trail around the top of the mountain.

Cadillac Summit Loop Information

Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 40 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes

The Cadillac Summit Loop is a short, paved path that circles around the summit area of Cadillac Mountain. This area is one of the most popular areas of the park, especially at sunrise. You need a reservation to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain during peak season.

As you walk along this trail, you’ll enjoy fabulous birdwatching opportunities and amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Desert Island!

Portions of this trail are wheelchair accessible, but there are some steep slopes and stairs that make this trail only partially accessible.

{ALTERNATIVE} Other easy hikes in the area include the carriage roads near Eagle Lake and Bubble Pond or the trails through the gardens at Sieur de Monts.

Location

The Cadillac Summit Loop is found at the top of Cadillac Mountain. You can find the Cadillac Summit Road at the north end of the park near Bar Harbor. This road branches off the main Park Loop Road.

Jordan Pond Path

The Jordan Pond Path is a gorgeous 3.3-mile loop along the shores of the Jordan Pond, located at the bottom of a majestic glacier-carved valley.

Jordan Pond Path Information

Distance: 3.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 95 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes

The Jordan Pond Path travels along stunning Jordan Pond, providing iconic views of the pond with the Bubbles. Hiking through the forest with views around every corner is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the Jordan Pond area.

As you hike along, you’ll cross over bridges and boardwalks. Keep your eyes peeled to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife, such as beavers and falcons!

Other than a few short inclines and rocky bits, this trail is a breezy stroll. You can also visit the Jordan Pond House while you’re here if you get hungry or want to try Acadia’s famous popovers.

{ALTERNATIVE} Other easy hikes in the area include the many carriage roads that intersect at Jordan Pond. You can also hike to Cobblestone Bridge.

Location

The Jordan Pond Path starts from the Jordan Pond House, located along the main Park Loop Road.

South Bubble and Bubble Rock

The Bubbles are two of the most iconic mountains in Acadia, and you can hike to the top of them in one easy hike! If you want to keep your hike easy, stick to the South Bubble, which provides gorgeous views of Jordan Pond from above.

South Bubble Trail Information

Distance: 1.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 304 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes

Acadia National Park has some incredible summit hikes that take you to the mountaintops, but most of these hikes are quite difficult. If you’re looking for a great summit hike without too much difficulty, check out the Bubbles Trail.

The Bubbles are mountains that loom over Jordan Pond. You can hike to the top of both the North and the South Bubble by taking the Bubbles Divide Trail. If you’re looking for a short and easy hike, you’ll want to focus on the summit of the South Bubble and skip over the North Bubble.

The Bubbles Divide Trail gradually gains elevation as you hike through the forest. You’ll reach a junction where you can decide which Bubble you want to summit. For an easier hike, stick to the South Bubble only.

If you don’t mind adding a little bit of mileage, elevation, and adventure, you can hike to the North Bubble, come back down to the junction, and then hike to the South Bubble all from this same trail.

Near the summit of the South Bubble, you’ll also find Bubble Rock, a glacier erratic (a large boulder left behind by a glacier). After reaching Bubble Rock and the top of the South Bubble, return back down the same trail to finish your hike.

{ALTERNATIVE} Other easy hikes in the area include carriage roads near Bubble Pond.

Location

The Bubble Divide Trailhead, where the trail to the top of the Bubbles begins, is found just north of Jordan Pond.

Ocean Path

If you’re hoping to soak in some of the most beautiful up-close ocean views in Acadia, the Ocean Path is a great option! This path travels along the unique pink cliffs of Acadia as the waves crash below.

Ocean Path Information

Distance: 2 – 4.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 120 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes

The Ocean Path follows the cliffs as it travels from Sand Beach to Otter Point, providing fantastic opportunities to photograph the coastline and stop at some interesting sights along the way!

Your time along the Ocean Path can be as long or as short as you want — it’s not necessary to have a specific destination in mind — so you can easily adjust this trail to meet the needs of your group.

If you park at Sand Beach, you can access the beach and the Beehive Trail before beginning the Ocean Path. As you walk the Ocean Path, you’ll want to stop at Thunder Hole, the Gorham Mountain Trail, and Otter Cliffs. The views are beautiful along the way, and strolling along this path is a great way to see the area!

Note: The Park Loop Road runs parallel to the Ocean Path, so you can also drive to each of those destinations as well (but when Acadia is busy, finding parking at each of these sights is not often possible, making the Ocean Path a great way to get around). I outline the parking issues and how to overcome them in this itinerary.

Location

You can begin the Ocean Path by parking at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Gorham Mountain, or Otter Point along the Park Loop Road.

Ship Harbor Trail

The Ship Harbor Trail travels through a quiet and incredibly scenic area of Acadia. If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy the views and do a little tidepooling, this is the perfect trail for you!

Ship Harbor Trail Information

Distance: 1.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 65 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes

The Ship Harbor Trail travels in a figure-8 along the shores of a small harbor. You’ll stroll through a quiet forest as you make your way to the water. The rocky shoreline and calm water is perfect for tidepooling!

If you’re looking for a great place to go birdwatching, Ship Harbor is a fantastic location. Try your luck at seeing some large sea birds such as great blue herons, ospreys, and eagles as you hike this trail.

The first loop of this trail is wheelchair-friendly.

{ALTERNATIVE} Another easy hike in the area is the Wonderland Trail.

Location

The Ship Harbor Trail is located along Highway 102A, just past the Seawall Campground.

What are the Best Wheelchair-Friendly Trails in Acadia?

If you’re visiting Acadia in a wheelchair, you can experience the beauty of the park from several trails!  These accessible trails include some of the park’s most famous viewpoints and scenery! Click here for more information about accessibility in Acadia National Park.

A few of my favorite wheelchair-friendly trails in the park are:

• Cadillac Summit Loop — a portion of this loop is paved and wide enough for a wheelchair. You won’t be able to complete the entire loop in a wheelchair, but you’ll get to see most of the famous views from the summit!
• Ocean Path — the portion of the Ocean Path between Sand Beach and Thunder Hole is either concrete or packed gravel and accessible. This provides 0.7 miles each way of oceanside views.
• Ship Harbor Trail — the first loop of the Ship Harbor Trail is accessible.
• Wild Gardens of Acadia — you’ll find several hundred species of stunning plants on a level, narrow, and hard-packed trail that weaves its way through the gardens.
• Sieur de Monts — The Jesup Path and the Hemlock Path are fantastic accessible trails that travel out to the Great Meadow in the Sieur de Monts area of the park.

Acadia Hiking Regulations

To protect this beautiful place and leave it better than you found it, please follow these regulations:

• Don’t take anything. Rocks, flowers, sticks, etc. must stay in the national park. If you find something cool, take a picture of it, but please don’t remove it.

• Stay on the trail. Please don’t make your own trail or follow trails that other people have made. This is for your safety and to prevent soil erosion and stomping of plants.

• Don’t feed the wildlife. These animals need to be able to find food on their own in order to survive the harsh winters. They often become aggressive and transmit diseases to humans if fed. Maintain a safe distance from the park’s wildlife to avoid injury or death.

• Swimming and wading is not permitted in many areas of the park. Please refer to posted instructions at each trail!

• Leashed pets are allowed on most trails in Acadia, but there are some trails that are too dangerous. See where you can take your pets if you bring them to the park.

What are the Best Longer Day Hikes in Acadia?

If you’re able to hike longer distances and are feeling extra adventurous, Acadia National Park has some fantastic summit hikes that will get your blood pumping!

My favorite summit hikes are not necessarily long, but the elevation change is what makes them challenging. If you are looking for a good summit hike without too much of a time commitment, be sure to check out the Beehive, the Precipice, Gorham Mountain, Acadia Mountain, or Jordan Cliffs.

You can find out more about each of these trails here.

This park is full of amazing sights and fun trails. I hope you enjoy these easy trails in Acadia National Park — happy hiking!

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