Acadia has short walks for pink-granite shore, flat boardwalks through birch woods, and gravel carriage roads beside ponds. These easy hikes in Acadia National Park give you enough detail to choose a walk by its footing…
Items 16 The creator’s order
1 Ocean Path from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole Start at the upper Sand Beach lot and walk the first 0.7 mile of Ocean Path to Thunder Hole. You get the granite coast and open ocean on a mix of packed gravel and pavement. Turn back here for about 1.4 miles round trip and skip the rougher sections farther south. 0 2 Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop Start at Sieur de Monts for a mostly flat 1.5-mile figure eight. Jesup’s narrow boardwalk runs through birches, then Hemlock Path returns through the woods. Expect compact gravel, boardwalk and a couple of road crossings. 0 3 Cadillac Summit Loop Start at the summit parking area for the paved paths and the views across Frenchman Bay. Some stretches are steep, and there are steps with nearby ramp alternatives. The summit is exposed to wind. Check Cadillac Summit Road access and seasonal vehicle reservation rules before driving up. 0 4 Jordan Pond Take the east shore of Jordan Pond Path by turning right from the boat launch. The crushed-stone path has views of the Bubbles and a few stepping stones. Return the way you came for an easier outing and leave the boulder-strewn opposite shore for another day. 0 5 Wonderland Trail Follow the former fire road through spruce forest to the water near Seawall. The 1.4-mile round trip is mostly level. You can enjoy the coast from the end of the path and skip the slippery rocks near the water. 0 6 Ship Harbor Trail The 1.3-mile figure eight goes from a sheltered tidal inlet to a rocky headland. The early section is the gentler part if you are out with a beginner. Continue through the outer loop for open water views, where the footing gets rougher. 0 7 Bass Harbor Head Light For a tiny outing with a lighthouse at the end, take the paved walkway from the lot to see the exterior. The separate shoreline route has steps and rougher footing as you approach the water. Enjoy the lighthouse from the paved side if you want to keep it easy. 0 8 Compass Harbor Trail Walk through the woods to a rocky shoreline with views toward Ironbound Island. This 0.8-mile round trip also passes traces of George B. Dorr’s estate. It starts from a small gravel parking area just south of downtown Bar Harbor. 0 9 Bar Island Trail Start at Bridge Street for a 1.9-mile round trip across a gravel bar and up an old forest road. Check the tide chart before leaving. The bar is exposed only about 90 minutes on either side of low tide, so set a firm turnaround with time to spare for the return. 0 10 Eagle Lake Carriage Road Start at the Eagle Lake carriage road entrance on Route 233 and try a short out-and-back on compact gravel. The adjoining road network makes it easy to extend the walk, though a full lake circuit is a much longer outing. Keep to one side when people on bikes pass. 0 
Ocean Path from Sand Beach to Thunder HoleStart at the upper Sand Beach lot and walk the first 0.7 mile of Ocean Path to Thunder Hole. You get the granite coast and open ocean on a mix of packed gravel and pavement. Turn back here for about 1.4 miles round trip and skip the rougher sections farther south.0
Jesup Path and Hemlock Path LoopStart at Sieur de Monts for a mostly flat 1.5-mile figure eight. Jesup’s narrow boardwalk runs through birches, then Hemlock Path returns through the woods. Expect compact gravel, boardwalk and a couple of road crossings.0
Cadillac Summit LoopStart at the summit parking area for the paved paths and the views across Frenchman Bay. Some stretches are steep, and there are steps with nearby ramp alternatives. The summit is exposed to wind. Check Cadillac Summit Road access and seasonal vehicle reservation rules before driving up.0
Jordan PondTake the east shore of Jordan Pond Path by turning right from the boat launch. The crushed-stone path has views of the Bubbles and a few stepping stones. Return the way you came for an easier outing and leave the boulder-strewn opposite shore for another day.0
Wonderland TrailFollow the former fire road through spruce forest to the water near Seawall. The 1.4-mile round trip is mostly level. You can enjoy the coast from the end of the path and skip the slippery rocks near the water.0
Ship Harbor TrailThe 1.3-mile figure eight goes from a sheltered tidal inlet to a rocky headland. The early section is the gentler part if you are out with a beginner. Continue through the outer loop for open water views, where the footing gets rougher.0
Bass Harbor Head LightFor a tiny outing with a lighthouse at the end, take the paved walkway from the lot to see the exterior. The separate shoreline route has steps and rougher footing as you approach the water. Enjoy the lighthouse from the paved side if you want to keep it easy.0
Compass Harbor TrailWalk through the woods to a rocky shoreline with views toward Ironbound Island. This 0.8-mile round trip also passes traces of George B. Dorr’s estate. It starts from a small gravel parking area just south of downtown Bar Harbor.0
Bar Island TrailStart at Bridge Street for a 1.9-mile round trip across a gravel bar and up an old forest road. Check the tide chart before leaving. The bar is exposed only about 90 minutes on either side of low tide, so set a firm turnaround with time to spare for the return.0
Eagle Lake Carriage RoadStart at the Eagle Lake carriage road entrance on Route 233 and try a short out-and-back on compact gravel. The adjoining road network makes it easy to extend the walk, though a full lake circuit is a much longer outing. Keep to one side when people on bikes pass.0