Acadia National Park - Gorham Mountain Loop

The Gorham Mountain and Ocean Path Loop features coastal mountains and rocky coastline with panoramic views of Mount Desert Island, Frenchman Bay, and the outer islands.
Trail Activity
Hiking
Length
3.50 miles, Network
Difficulty
Moderate
Town
Bar Harbor
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Rock/Ledge
Pets
Permitted
Fees
Yes

Description

HIGH USE TRAIL:

This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods. Use Maine Trail Finder to identify other nearby trails. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, please choose another trail. 

On the hike to the 525 foot summit there is an alternative route, the Cadillac Cliffs Trail, that returns to the main route. At this intersection, there is a memorial plaque to Waldron Bates, an early trail builder and the designer of the simple, but elegant, cairns seen on many of Acadia’s trails. The Cadillac Cliffs trail traverses the base of the cliff and is more difficult, requiring some scrambling over granite boulders. Hikers are encouraged to stop and look at the cliff features which are strikingly similar to the current day coastline. These features include small ancient sea caves that were created when sea level was about 250 feet higher than today.

After reaching the summit, the trail descends moderately. At the first intersection, there is a cut-off option to go left to reach The Bowl, a small picturesque pond, in 0.4 miles. Continuing straight the trail intersects with the Bowl Trail in 0.1 miles. Taking a right on the Bowl Trail leads to the Park Loop Road.

Once at the Park Loop Road, continue right towards Sand Beach. A visit to this beautiful crushed shell and sand beach is an option before continuing. There are restrooms at Sand Beach. The Ocean Path begins at the south end of the upper Sand Beach parking lot.

The Ocean Path offers views of the classic Maine coast with many stopping points for enjoying the picturesque scenery and taking pictures. Before reaching the Gorham Mountain parking lot, the trail passes Thunder Hole, a shallow sea cave. When there are large ocean swells, on an incoming tide, the waves trap air in the cave. The escaping air can make a thundering sound. During the summer, there are restrooms and a gift shop with snacks across from Thunder Hole. 

Upon reaching the Gorham Mountain Parking area, there is an option to continue on the Ocean Path for about a mile to its end at Otter Point, a scenic view point, then backtracking to the Gorham Mountain parking lot where the hike began.

Other Information

Geocaching is prohibited within Acadia National Park; however, the park does sponser an EarthCache Program for those seeking a virtual treasure hunt!

Trail Manager

Visit Acadia National Park online for more information or contact:

National Park Service, Acadia National Park

National Park Service, Acadia National Park
PO Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Phone: (207) 288-3338
acadia_information@nps.gov

Nearby Events

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Trail Tips

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Stick to established trails and campsites. If there's no trail, try to walk on rock, gravel, or snow and spread out so that your group doesn't create a trail.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

Starting from ME Route 3, turn off at the Hulls Cove Entrance to the park and the beginning of the Park Loop Road. Follow the Park Loop road 2.8 miles before turning left onto the one way section towards Sand Beach. The trail begins on the right at the Gorham Mountain Trail parking lot, 0.3 miles past Thunder Hole. During the busy summer months, leave your car at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and take the Island Explorer Bus. The Park Loop Road is closed December 1 to April 15. During this time, see the park website for an alternative access route.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
dixon52
August 15, 2023
As we headed into the park we realized we weren’t the only ones wanting to get there early to take advantage of the one clear day! We finally found a parking spot though and walked Ocean Path down to the start of Gorham Mountain, a 3.5 mile loop with promised excellent views.

The promise was fulfilled and we ogled incredible long range views of the ocean and surrounding islands. It was wonderful to get a clear day to really see Acadia in all her glory!

From there, we walked Ocean Path down to Sand Beach. We had promised the girls we’d return with suits, and that’s just what we did. The beach was slammed and it was a lively atmosphere of people picnicking, screeching in the 53 degree water, and seagulls swooping down to try and score a snack. One did when it swooped right down, landed ON my mom’s shoulder, and took a bite out of her sandwich! I was laughing and scrambling, not to help but to try and get a picture, ha! Unfortunately I missed the bird, but got the bite.
The entire trip was posted here if you want to read more and see the pictures: https://www.ahealthysliceoflife.com/bar-harbor-maine-part-2/
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