Beehive Trail/Great Head Trail

Our Challenging Original Combination

This 2-trail combo pairs the Beehive Trail with the nearby Great Head Trail. We do it as a mini-hike the day of our autotour...

Driving all day—even around beautiful Acadia National Park—makes us antsy. You see, we LOVE to hike! In fact, we see hiking at Acadia the main attraction of the park. But we also enjoy doing the guided auto tour to get re-acquainted with the park each time we go up there. The solution?

We take a break the day of the auto tour to do 2 short hikes... both of which can be reached from the Sand Beach parking lot. First, we head across the Park Loop Road for a short, steep and thrilling climb up The Beehive... think rocks, cliffs, iron rungs, ladders and more!

Many people climb right back down The Beehive, but we prefer to make it a short loop, so we continue on up and over the peak and back down and around the far side, which still doesn't take very long.

After that, it's back across the Park Loop Road to Great Head Trail. That one is a very different experience, rolling terrain along the cliffs overlooking Sand Beach and then back "home" through the woods.

All in all, this makes an exhilarating and satisfying combination of trails to balance out all the sitting and standing you do during the auto tour.

Trail Description

Here are the details on our 2 favorite short hikes...

The Beehive

Rating:
Distance: 1.5 mi
Type of Hike: Loop (2 possible)
Where to Park: At Sand Beach in the lot or along the Park Loop Road

Known as the Precipice's ugly little sister, the Beehive was built and designed by the same designer of Precipice. Please be aware that this is a difficult hike and should not be attempted lightly if you are just a beginner or out of shape.

Also remember to wear very good shoes as you will be climbing flat rock, rungs and ladders. So, even though the Beehive is right across the street from Sand Beach, beachwear is not appropriate... or safe!

The first few hundred feet up the trail are very uneven and rocky. Watch your step! You will travel through a small patch of woods but will soon reach a hard right turn at a signpost where you'll begin quickly to climb up the face of the mountain.

Here you will have to walk on narrow ledges with loose gravel, climb rungs and ladders and walk over iron bridges. It's quite a thrill, though it's over almost before you know it. But do be careful, especially if you have children along.

You will quickly reach the summit. However, as you near the top, you may notice some small footpaths that lead you off the trail. Feel free to follow them as they provide you with great views of Sand Beach and the ocean below.

If you are hiking this trail around lunch time, the summit is a great place to eat. Find a quiet corner tucked behind a rock to enjoy your hiker's feast.

Many people climb back down the Beehive Trail the way they came, but we don't recommend that. Not only is it treacherous to go down that way, but we think it's more fun to do a loop, where every step you take is new and exciting. So, we suggest you continue to follow the trail markers up and over the top and down the other side.

As you descend, you will be climbing down the backside of the mountain. This climb will be mostly in the woods and descends quickly at first, then leisurely winds back around the mountain. Eventually you will come to some flat rock. Keep going and you will soon meet up with the original trail which will lead you back to the Park Loop Road.

Great Head

Rating:
Distance: 1.3 mi
Type of Hike: Loop
Where to Park: Sand Beach

Great Head is the highest point along the island’s shoreline. This hike begins on the far side of Sand Beach and starts with an ascent up some large granite stairs. We like to do it immediately after finishing The Beehive.

As you walk out to the end of Great Head, you will have to climb over smooth rocks and walk through many grassy areas. This is a great trail to stray off the beaten path, as you may find many hidden treasures. As you get close to the tip, you'll find the trail rolls up and down small hills. Watch for lots of tiny wildflowers all along the way!

You are provided with many spectacular views of Schooner Head and Anemone Caves. Do take time to stop at the tip of Great Head and just savor the views. On the walk back, you will plunge into a birch forest and then you'll reach a point where you can choose between two different trails, both of which end at Sand Beach.

The first trail runs along the ridge towards Sand Beach and the second path, which is flat and well-groomed, runs parallel to a waterway behind the Sand Beach dunes. Both trails are lovely, so it just depends on your mood when you reach the fork.

Insider Tips

• These trails are great accompaniments to the auto tour. After sitting in the car all day, you are definitely going to want to stretch your legs!

• If you are having trouble finding a parking place at Sand Beach, the park does allow you to park on the side of Park Loop Road there. There is also an overflow parking lot just past the Sand Beach parking lot!

• There are bathrooms and showers at Sand Beach, so if you need to go before you get on the trail, you don't have to worry about finding the perfect tree or rock to hide behind!

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