Get Autumnal With These Great Acadia Day Hikes

Fall has always been my favorite season. The crisp cool air and sunny days are perfect for outdoor adventuring (or relaxing I guess). The leaves turn their glorious fiery shades. Apples fall from the trees and into pies. Autumn brings new beginnings. Transition. Summer ends, and school starts. The tourists, and maybe the mosquitoes, abate. However you choose to do it, get out there and enjoy fall. I enjoy fall by hiking. Below are four great hikes at Acadia National Park to help you inhale the crisp air and revel in the waning light before winter settles in.

Wonderland Trail (easy) is a fantastic and under-explored area of the park, on the “quiet side” of Mt. Desert Island. The area lives up to its fantastical name with varied woods with interesting trees and rewards the short walk with amazing coastal explorations. Nestled between the town of Bass Harbor and Southwest Harbor, the Wonderland Trail meanders 0.7 miles to the coast, making for a 1.4 mile roundtrip. Once you reach the endless rocks and crags at the sea you can take in the foliage, watch the crashing of the waves against the rocks, explore tidal pools, and enjoy a picnic, if it is not too chilly. There is a small parking area next to 102A, or park along the road if it is full.

Explore the tidal pools at Wonderland, where the colors underwater match the colors of the trees

Explore the tidal pools at Wonderland, where the colors underwater match the colors of the trees.

Great Head Trail (moderate) is great for coastal explorations and nice views. The trail starts at the east side of Sand Beach and meanders around sea cliffs that jut out into Frenchman bay. In case you missed it, Great Head is the site where a dead Humpback Whale washed ashore back in June. FYI Allied Whale and the College of the Atlantic removed the whale for research purposes, so don’t go searching for it. Besides the tree colors, you can see a great variety of birds. Park at Sand Beach and walk east on the beach to reach the trail head. The trail is a moderate 1.4 mile loop.

Acadia Mountain Trail (strenuous) is a very popular hike because it offers great reward for a relatively short effort. The trail begins with a pretty steep 681 ft. ascent to the peak. The reward includes nice views of Somes Sound and Southwest Harbor. The scrub oaks should provide plenty of color. There is also a nice bonus if you want to get down to the water’s edge. Take the very short turnoff trail that says “overlook” for a chance to relax on the shore of Somes Sound. The return via the fire road offers a lovely and easy walk through the woods. If you still need more hiking continue up St. Sauveur rather than returning via the fire road. Park at the well-marked trailhead on Route 102. Acadia Mountain with the fire road return is 2.5 miles, or 4.0 miles if you add the St. Sauveur loop.

Cadillac Mountain iconically crowns Acadia National Park and all of Mt. Desert Island. In short, there is a reason why the tourist hordes ascend upon it. Luckily, in October you should be able to experience the magical panoramic vistas from the 1,530 ft. summit with a little more solitude. Especially if you arrive through the back door. You can always drive to the top, but I like to work for my view. The Gorge Path (strenuous) follows the course of Kebo Brook running between the summits of Dorr Mountain and Cadillac Mountain and crisscrosses the stream numerous times. If there has been rain recently, a number of nice, small waterfalls should be gurgling. The trail is entirely forested and bathes the hiker in the aroma of fallen leaves. The foliage turns less deciduous as you gain altitude. A short but steep ramble brings to you Cadillac’s summit where the full 360-degree display of fall color and jaw-dropping views of Frenchman Bay await. Allow plenty of time to explore the peak before descending back down the gorge. The Gorge Path trailhead can be accessed off the Park Loop before the entry station (and the fee) 0.9 miles east of where it becomes one-way. Arrive early as there are only a few parking spots. The trail is 2.6 miles steep miles round trip, but the fun of sumitting Cadillac through the back door is worth it if you are up for the challenge.

Descending the Gorge Path after sumitting Cadillac. This was back in June, so expect more brilliant autumn hues now.

Descending the Gorge Path after sumitting Cadillac. This was back in June, so expect more brilliant autumn hues now.

Click for more information about hiking in Acadia National ParkMaine Trail Finder is another excellent resource that contains information about trails all over the state, including Acadia of course. I also recommend speaking with a friendly and informative park ranger over the phone (207-288-3338) or in person at the Hulls Cove Visitor Venter. Best to hike prepared with a trail map. They can be purchased at the Visitor Center for $4.95.

Leaf peeping is not just for tourists! The time is ripe to enjoy the beauty of autumn with a nice hike.

Sam Adels

About Sam Adels

Sam and his wife Claire are the resident stewards of the Good Life Center, the homestead of Helen and Scott Nearing in Harborside, Maine. They are learning from the example that Helen and Scott set with their lives: living simply, gardening, and welcoming visitors to their homestead. They are transplants, and like a seedling, they are together putting down roots in order to grow.