Hike & Kayak Maine's Acadia National Park

Description

Stretch your legs while you explore lush natural landscapes that make concrete jungles pale in comparison. This five-day adventure covers the best bits of Acadia National Park, with hikes and kayaking trips taking you to the wonderfully named and beautifully picturesque Bubbles, Cadillac Mountain, Beehive and Porcupine Islands. You’ll crest multiple mountain peaks, tackle trails that’ll test your stamina (and reward it) and paddle along miles of pristine coastline. With some of the most scenic lunches you’ll ever have and dinners at local restaurants included, this is both an epic adventure and a chance to pause, take a few deep breaths of fresh air and enjoy some respite from the usual routines.

Trip Name

Hike & Kayak Maine's Acadia National Park

Last Updated

2024-08-07

Days

Capacity

Highlights

Hike Acadia’s highest peak, Cadillac Mountain, and be rewarded with breathtaking views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay and the Schoodic Peninsula.
Take a ferry to Winter Harbor, a side of the park that only 10% of visitors experience, and see the quieter side from along the Anvil Trail.
Enjoy the sea breeze on a kayaking tour of the Porcupine Islands and the coastline of Frenchman Bay, potentially paddling alongside porpoises and harbour seals.
Spend your nights staying in the idyllic Bar Harbor (‘Bah Haba’ to the locals), the perfect place to find a plate of Maine lobster.
Immerse yourself in the history of Acadia, traced back through the stories of the Wabanaki people and the region’s French settlers.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Bar Harbor

Welcome to Bangor! After meeting your fellow travellers, you’ll hop on a shuttle over to Acadia National Park for the start of your hiking and kayaking adventure. There’ll be a short stop at the visitor’s centre before you’re quickly whisked away to the scenic Sand Beach – the starting point for your hike along the Great Head Trail. Pass by ocean views, rocky scrambles and hints of the area’s history before looping back down south toward the wonderfully named Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff. You’ll enjoy a trail lunch with your group overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where you might spot a seal or two swimming about! The final hike of your first day will take you to Jordan Pond – a glacially carved lake bordered by two rounded peaks known as the Bubbles. As you go, keep an eye out for beaver activity below or nesting peregrine falcons above.

Day 2 - Bar Harbor

After breakfast, you’ll head out to conquer two of Acadia’s highest peaks. First on the list is Cadillac Mountain, where your hike will start gently before easing into more of an incline. There’ll be granite stairs and iron rungs to lend a hand but expect your lungs to get a workout! The effort will be well rewarded at the summit, where you’ll get breathtaking views of Bar Habor, Frenchman Bay and the Schoodic Peninsula. After, head next door to Dorr Mountain – at the summit there’ll be a stop for lunch where you can enjoy an unspoiled ocean view. If time allows, after the descent, you’ll head into Bar Harbor and visit a local museum to learn about the area’s history and hear the stories of the Wabanaki people.

Day 3 - Bar Harbor

Today you’ll go a bit further afield, travelling by ferry over to Winter Harbor/Schoodic Peninsula. This is the quieter side of Acadia with only 10% of visitors to the park making the journey over (meaning there will be even less in-between you and Mother Nature). When you arrive, you’ll drive a loop round around the peninsula, taking in the views of lighthouses, seabirds and forested islands, stopping to take a few snaps. Then you’ll be out on foot again for a walk from Blueberry Hill up the Anvil Trail, then onward to Schoodic Head. There’ll be a stop for lunch at the summit as you pause to take in the panoramic ocean views. Once back at sea level you’ll do some more exploring of Winter Harbor before heading home to Bar Harbor for the night.

Day 4 - Bar Harbor

Get up early this morning and head to Acadia to take on its most famous hike – the Beehive Loop. Sprinkled with steep cliff faces and narrow ledges, it’s not a hike for those who don’t do heights! But for those that brave it out, you’ll be rewarded with a commanding view looking back over Sand Beach and Great Head. You’ll descend using a gentler route around The Bowl, a serene pond, where a well-deserved lunch will be served. After heading back for some downtime at your accommodation, you’ll then head out for a session of sea kayaking. Set off in tandem kayaks and paddle around the Porcupine Islands and along the coastline of Frenchman Bay, hopefully spotting a few harbor seals and porpoises as you go.

Day 5 - Bar Harbor

Your final day on Mount Desert Island starts with a shuttle toward Bass Harbor – a fishing village on the quiet side of the island. Along the way you’ll check out a postcard-perfect view of a 19th century lighthouse which has featured on USA currency. You’ll then head on a loop hike, taking you through some of the park’s most interesting and vertical cliff formations. Rocky steps and ladders will help you on your way to an incredible view of Echo Lake. With one peak down, there’s only one to go as you take an easier wander through beech forest heading for the summit of the aptly named Beech Mountain. After taking a second and enjoying a few snacks, you’ll head back down to your vehicle, have one last lunch together – then it’s back to Bangor where your adventure will end. If you’d like to extend your stay here, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Accommodation

Inn (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,ferry