Nestled way up along the rocky coast of Maine lies Mount Desert Island, and on that island lies a slice of heaven: Acadia National Park. Less popular than Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks, Acadia is a perfect place to surround yourself in nature's embrace without being surrounded by throngs of fellow hiking boot-clad tourists. With its serene lakes and ponds, rocky cliffs, dark Atlantic coves and towering mountains, Acadia has something for everyone. Grab your rucksack, boots, trail mix and map (no GPS signal here), and let's venture into the raw beauty of Acadia National Park.
1. The Bubbles
Besides its giggle-worthy name, the Bubbles earn major points for their breathtaking vistas. Divided into two peaks, North and South Bubble, they are the perfect starting point for your Acadia visit. While South Bubble, with the famed Bubble Rock, is the more frequented, its North Bubble that has arguably better views.
2. Jordan Pond House
Jordan Pond House is one of the most popular attractions on Mount Desert Island. The restaurant is famous for their popovers, and for good reason. They are delicious, especially after an early morning hike. For over a hundred years, visitors have been munching on popovers on the lawn overlooking Jordan Pond and the Bubbles.
3. Little Hunters Beach
As with other vacation spots, Acadia can sometimes get crowded. There's nothing like hidden spots for a peaceful break from the hubbub. There are no signs to Little Hunters Beach, but this little beach on the southeast side of the island is one of the best places to soak in the forest-ocean duality that Acadia is known for.
4. Sunrise over Cadillac
A must-see for early birds and non-early birds alike, seeing the sunrise from Cadillac mountain is a beautiful thing. People wake up at 3 a.m. and head up Cadillac, the park's highest mountain at 1528 feet. Wrapped in blankets and armed with thermoses of coffee, the crowd watches the sky go from pitch black, to bands of orange and blue, and finally to a brilliant burst of golden hues.
5. Penobscot
Penobscot is one of my all time favorite hikes in Acadia. With sections requiring climbing up and scrambling over boulders, this is definitely a hike that soothes the adventurous soul. Penobscot twists and turns around the mountain, often opening up into bald granite outlooks. Wild blueberry bushes dot the trail, making the perfect mid-hike snack.
6. Beehive
The Beehive is one of Acadia's most difficult trails. It gets its name from the steep ascent wrapped around a hive-shaped mountain. Beehive is not for the faint of heart. The trial includes iron rungs and steep drop offs. But brave souls are rewarded for their efforts with stunning views over the island. A great trial run before the Precipice.
7. Precipice
When it comes to the different trails in Acadia National Park, the Precipice is the big kahuna. There's a general consensus that it is the most difficult trail in the park. In fact, the park officially lists the trail not as a hike but as a non-technical climb. The ledges are narrower than Beehive, the drop offs are steeper and the iron rungs seem more treacherously placed. At the trailhead hikers are warned that people have died attempting this climb, but with good sense, patience and solid treads, the Precipice can be a safe but thrilling adventure.
8. Sand Beach
While the name sounds unimaginative, it's actually a good differentiator when it comes to the beaches on Mount Desert Island. Sand Beach is Acadia's only beach with sand; all of the others are rock beaches. A quick swim in the freezing cold Atlantic is the best way to cool off after a sweaty hike. The beach is nestled in a California-esque cove, but the dark green pines and rocky cliffs let you know it's indeed Maine.
9. Blueberries
There are blueberries all over the island. Every produce stand-- and there are many-- is bound to advertise wild Maine blueberries, whether in simple berry form or in a delicious homemade pie. Wild blueberries are much smaller and sweeter than their cultivated counterparts, so take advantage of Maine's famous berry before return to the jumbo, subdued blueberries at your regular supermarket. Grab a pint at a farmer's market or a handful as you hike up your mountain of choice.
10. Carriage roads
Acadia's carriage roads are one of the most unique features of the national park. John D. Rockefeller built 45 miles of crushed stone roads in the first half of the 20th century. The trails are utilized by bikers and equestrians alike. Beautifully crafted stone bridges are scattered along the different carriage roads. The roads pass along lakes, ponds and waterfalls. Personal favorites include the Eagle Lake and the Upper Hadlock Pond carriage roads.
11. Freshwater swimming
If you look at a map of the area, you'll see the land scatter like a dandelion. Consequently, water fills the nooks and crannies of Mount Desert Island. This provides visitors will a multitude of swimming holes to choose from. The Bowl, Echo Lake and Sargent Pond are all great places to dive in for a refreshing swim. Each swimming hole is bordered with towering evergreens, creating a feeling of both wilderness and seclusion.
12. Lobster
At any of Acadia's many lobster joints, the lobster is as fresh as you can get. At places like Thurston's Lobster Pound, diners see their lobster picked out of a tank. Soon that same lobster will be brought out on a platter joined by corn on the cob, homemade coleslaw, a roll and fresh blueberry cake. It only makes sense that Maine's motto is The way life should be.
