Most Difficult Acadia Hiking Trails

When You Want a Challenge

Even the most difficult Acadia mountain hiking trails are do-able by most fairly physically fit people.

Our Acadia National Park hiking guide will help you determine if the trails on this page are something you'll want to attempt. In all likelihood, all but the most uncoordinated or small children can do most of these, with time and care.

Strenuous hikes tend to be steep, often with steady, long-lasting climbs. They may also include iron rungs, ladders, and cliff ascents or descents. They are not appropriate for most small children, although you will be the best judge of what your child can and can't do, of course.

Some Difficult Hiking Trails in Acadia

I've always found that one's assessment of hiking trails, biking routes, ski runs, etc. can vary widely, based on your own sense of adventure, physical fitness and body type. You might not agree with the classifications found on this site.

Still... we have to divide up the trails in some way, so the ones on this page are often judged as the most difficult Acadia hiking trails. And certainly, they can be challenging. But almost any reasonably fit and adventurous adult will be able to complete any one of these hikes, under most circumstances.

Here are some of your options...

Acadia Mountain Trail

This is one of the western Acadia mountain hiking trails, on the "quiet side" of Mount Desert Island. There's not as many trails on the western side of Mount Desert Island, but the ones you'll find there tend to be quieter and just as lovely.

This particular hike is widely-recommended by all kind of Acadia websites, books and visitors, but it's still a very peaceful experience to hike it. I don't think we saw more than a couple other people the day we did it at the end of June, on one of our earlier trips to Acadia.

It was a great hiking experience, and enjoyed it quite a bit. It offers spectacular views of Somes Sound and traverses both forested slopes and rocky cliffs.

Dorr Mountain Ladder Trail

This is one of the earliest hikes we did, in one of our first couple trips to Acadia, when the Precipice Trail was closed due to peregrine falcon nesting activity.

If thrills and chills excite you, then this is a fun trail to hike! It starts out with giant steps, but before long, you're scaling scary ladders like the one shown here.

When you get to the top, you can look across the valley towards the peak of Cadillac Mountain. Gorgeous views, but it is definitely strenuous, and will take you a few hours to complete.

Our Favorite Strenuous Acadia Mountain Hiking Trails

These are some of our favorite trails of all time...

Canyon Brook/Cadillac Dawn Stroll
We didn't discover this gem until our 3rd trip, but we've done it every time since! You start by getting up while it's still dark to drive up Cadillac Mountain for a spectacular sunrise (you hope!). Then, you drive back down and hike right back up Cadillac. Sound crazy? It's not...

Beehive Loop-Great Head Combo
We combine 2 short hikes on our first day in Acadia, just so we get some exercise in, during the day-long autotour. One hike is thrilling... the other is just beautiful, but mostly rolling or flat, except for the very beginning. Both give you great views of Sand Beach and beyond...

West Face Cadillac Trail
If you like to scramble and you want to climb Acadia's tallest peak, this is the Acadia hiking trail for you! It's challenging, and a bit treacherous in spots, so it's probably not a great choice for small children...

Jordan Cliffs Trail
This is another challenging choice, but the rewards are well worth the effort. It has wooden bridges on cliffs, iron ladders and rungs and, as most Acadia hiking trails do, a magnificent view at the top!

Most Strenuous Hiking Trail of All!

The Precipice Trail
For years, we didn't think we would ever get to do this trail, because we were never at Acadia at the right time. But we finally bagged it our our 6th trip! And it definitely lived up to its reputation...

In closing, we'd just like to encourage you to hike in Acadia. Acadia mountain hiking is THE BEST way to get away from the crowds and to truly experience Acadia in all her glory. Acadia hiking trails are super duper!

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