State: Maine
Location: Acadia National Park
Length, Round Trip: 2.5 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 0 feet
Elevation Change: 680 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy
Trail Information
The Acadia Mountain Trail is a wonderful excursion offering views of Somes Sound, the only fjord in the eastern US. The trail follows the only mountain ridge within Acadia that runs east-west versus north-south.
Begin the trail at the trailhead across the road from the Acadia Mountain parking lot. You should be prepared to begin climbing immediately up switchbacks. Follow the steps and rock cairns. This trail weaves around several times then crosses over an old vehicle road heading into a pine and hardwood forest. You’ll have to negotiate several narrow passageways and ledges. Be sure to notice the blueberry bushes and the short scrub oak along this windswept trail. Scrub oak is usually found much further south.
You will come upon an opening offering breath taking views of Echo Lake. This popular Acadia attraction is known for its excellent boating, swimming and fishing opportunities. Echo Lake is a 2 mile long crystal clear lake and is a wonder to see from this high point. As you continue to climb you will see splendid views of Somes Sound. Continue hiking to the east summit where you will descend sharply on the trail. Bear right and be sure to follow the cairns. Near the bottom of Acadia Mountain Trail, you will see a spur trail of only 100 yards which leads to a beautiful cascading falls along Man-of-War Brook. To finish the loop trail, follow the old truck road.
If you want to extend your hike, take the Valley Cove Trail and Flying Mountain Trails just before the junction of Man-of-War Brook and Acadia Mountain Trail. This will Lengthen the journey by 2.3 miles.
Directions
From Trenton:
Travel over the causeway on SRs 3, 102 and 198. Bear right staying on SRs 102 and 198. Travel through Town Hill and then on through Somesville. Travel another 3 miles and you will see Echo Lake on your right. Park in the Acadia Mountain parking lot.
