The Wild Jordan Cliffs Trail

Great Acadia Hiking!

We recommend the Jordan Cliffs Trail for the ultimate in Acadia hiking experiences.

We discovered this challenging and exciting trail early on in our Acadia trips. If you like to hike on trails that teeter over sheer cliffs, climb up iron ladders and rungs and have spectacular views, you won't do better than this trail.

From start to finish, it is fun... but only for adults or older children who are in good physical shape. It's not for beginners and proper footwear and clothing are essential.

The last time we did Jordan Cliffs Trail, in 2004, we added to the thrills by doing it right after a 2-day rainstorm. Read about our trek to the Lake in the Sky here.

Trail Description

Distance: 4 miles
Type of Hike: Loop
Where to Park: Jordan Pond House parking area

This trail is what they call technically challenging. The trail itself is not super steep in most parts, but it does travel along a sheer mountain face, so taking small children isn't recommended. Nor is it for the faint of heart!

Start out behind the Jordan Pond House, following the signs toward Sargent and Penobscot Mountains and the Asticou trail. Cross the footbridge and follow the signs towards Sargent/Penobscot Mtns.

A little ways on, a new trailmarker points to the right towards Jordan Cliffs, just as you get to a carriage road. Cross the road and look for the Jordan Cliffs signpost.

From there, just follow the signs. You'll be climbing rock to rock in places, navigating narrow ledges, using iron rungs to go up and down and hanging white-knuckled onto railings that cross ravines. It's quite thrilling and the views are extraordinary.

Eventually, you'll meet up with a couple of other trails. But just keep following the signs to the bald peak of Penobscot Mountain. Enjoy the views and a lunchtime snack while you're there.

To get back, follow the south ridge trail signs, which offer wide-open views of ocean, islands and mountains. Gorgeous! Watch for a tricky left turn right after you lose sight of the Jordan Pond House below. There is a cairn and some red paint marking the turn. Then descend steeply to a carriage road. Follow the road or the original path back to Jordan Pond.

Insider Tips

• Use caution if you hike this trail after a hard rain. We did it that way the last time we were there, and it was pretty treacherous in areas. Of course, we did get to see a number of "waterfalls" on the steep rocky face that we wouldn't have seen otherwise!

• This trail can be hard to follow at points. Watch carefully for the trail markers and cairns to make sure you don't get off track.

• Penobscot Mountain is to the right going up, even though many maps show it being off to the left.

• After a rain, you are quite likely to find a large "lake in the sky" which is fun to go wading in!

So, for hours of thrills and chills, check out the Jordan Cliffs Trail, a unique Acadia hiking opportunity for the experienced hiker.

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