State: Maine
Location: Acadia National Park
Length, Round Trip: 7.8 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate
The Falls on Megunticook River
Trail Information
The Dorr Mountain Trail is named for the founder of Acadia and its first superintendent, is a network of trails on the mountain. Several of the Dorr Mountain Trails can be vigorous yet offering spectacular views of the National Park. The trails will lead you through a variety of forest types with features including a glacier pond, cascading streams, open meadows, bald summits and beautiful hemlock woods.
You may want to begin on Gorge Trail which is located at Kebo Brook. This trail is named for the deep gorge which remains cool much of the year because of the northern exposure. As the trail reaches a straddling point between Dorr and Cadillac Mountains, continue straight onto A. Murray Young Trail descending through a field surrounded by lush evergreen. Stay straight so you will eventually reach the small pond named The Tarn. The pond is a depression left behind from a glacial melt. Depending on when you visit, you may be treated to blooming water lilies which stretch the entire Length of the pond.
Once you’ve enjoyed this beautiful mountain pond continue your hike at the south end and pick up Ladder Trail. It may be hard to find so look for the red tags on the trees. This will carry you to the summit of Dorr Mountain. The trail combines with several other area trails all headed toward the summit. As you pass through the open field, you will come upon a portion of the path that is rocky and exceedingly steep called the Ladder Trail. The name Ladder Trail comes from the fact that you must climb two small metal ladders in order to reach the peak. Extreme caution is advised at this point.
After enjoying the summit’s views, descend on North Ridge Trail following the large cairns which lead to Kebo Mountain. You will end up on Park Loop Road. Head left on Park Loop Road to reach the Gorge Trailhead where you began.
