Below is a virtual reprint of the guide of trails, published by Witham Family Hotels.

These booklets are usually available at the Bar Harbor Inn to anyone who requests one at the Front Desk.  However, they run out of copies from time to time.

I wanted  to make this guide available to you through these pages, whenever the print copies are out of stock.

In my opinion, the Witham Family Hotels are the very best places to stay in the Bar Harbor Region!  Please give them first consideration when planning your trip to Bar Harbor.

And when you do, here are some tips on how to choose the best hotel to meet your needs.

The original brochure produced by Witham Family Hotels is compiled of many different hikes and walks. Each one highlights the beauty of Acadia and are broken down by level of difficulty and distance.

We hope you enjoy the trails we have recommended below, just as much as we do!

If you have any questions or need further recommendations, please feel free to ask!

The Easy Trails

Compass Harbor (Easy)

Compass Harbor is located just outside of downtown Bar Harbor. It offers a great one mile loop to a hidden rocky beach. A great alternative when Sand Beach can become too crowded. Enjoy a dip in the ocean or bask in the sun with a picnic!

Ship Harbor (Easy)

Ship Harbor is located on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island. It’s about a 35-40 min drive from the Bar Harbor Inn.  The trail is a figure-8 and combines shaded forest sections along with great views of the harbor.  Be advised that the trail is not completely flat. It does have sections that have stone steps and tree roots sticking up from the ground.

Great Head Trail (Easy)

The Great Heat Trail is a great hike in Acadia National Park. When you hike it, the trail will bring you atop of rocky bluffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  The trail also provides great views of Sand Beach and can be done before relaxing in the sun!  There are a couple of ways to access the Great Head Trail. You may access it from the designated Great Head Trail parking area. Otherwise, you might start at the Sand Beach parking lot, then crossing the beach to the trail.

The Shore Path (Easy)

The Shore Path is a quick walk along the water right in downtown Bar Harbor!  The path is crushed gravel. It is a great way to take a break from the busy streets of town before/after venturing into the great shops and restaurants Bar Harbor has to offer. 

Helpful Hint: Along this walk, there are a few benches to sit and relax. Take a moment to stop and enjoy a view of the boats in the harbor. As you follow the path, keep an eye out for the Balance Rock.

Bar Island (Easy)

Bar Island is a great place for exploring! The sand bar is rather short, but will bring you to Bar Island where the trail continues.  Keep in mind that the sand bar is only accessible during LOW TIDE. So be sure to double check with the front desk what the tide schedule is for that day.

Helpful Hint: You are able to cross the sand bar roughly 2 hours prior to absolute low tide and until 2 hours after low tide. Don’t get caught having to swim back!)

Wonderland (Easy)

Wonderland is located on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island and is about a 35-40 minute drive from the Bar Harbor Inn.  The trail is a great family friendly hike that children of all ages will enjoy.  The trail combines shaded forest sections that lead you right to rocky areas along the ocean that are great for exploring. While venturing to Wonderland, consider going to the Ship Harbor Trail and visiting the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

Helpful Hint: On your way to and from Ship Harbor, Wonderland and Bass Harbor Lighthouse, stop and take a stroll through Southwest Harbor. This cute little town has an excellent selection of shops and places to eat.

Jordan Pond Loop (Easy)

The Jordan Pond Loop is a great trail that circles around Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park.  The trail can be followed to the East which is easier than following the trail to the West.  The Jordan Pond House is also the only restaurant in the national park. It’s a great place to stop for lunch before or after completing the Jordan Pond Loop. 

Helpful Hint: From the restaurant, try the tea and popovers while sitting on the lawn. Also, be advised that the restaurant can be very busy but they do take reservations! Dining reservations are recommended by calling (207) 276-3316.  The facility is open daily from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM, late May through late October.

Witch Hole Pond Carriage Road (Easy)

One of the many carriage roads in Acadia National Park is the loop around Witch Hole Pond.  The carriage roads in Acadia are all closed to motorized vehicles and are nicely maintained gravel roads.  The loops are great for walking, running and biking!

Ocean Drive Trail (Easy)

The Ocean Drive Trail is a great way to get out of the vehicle and walk by some of the highlighted areas of Acadia National Park. The Ocean Path runs from Sand Beach, by Thunder Hole, along Otter Cliffs and finally reaching Otter Point.

Eagle Lake Carriage Road (Easy)

One of the many carriage roads in Acadia National Park is the loop around Eagle Lake (the largest fresh water lake in Acadia National Park!)  The carriage roads in Acadia are all closed to motorized vehicles and are nicely maintained gravel roads.  The loops are great for walking, running or biking!

Helpful Hint: There is no swimming allowed at Eagle Lake. However, you may canoe, kayak and fish there with a Maine fishing license.

The Moderate Hikes

The Bubbles (Moderate)

The two Bubbles (North Bubble and South Bubble) rise between Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond. They provide great views of the two bodies of water.  The Bubbles are a combination of trail sections that create a great hike! (Helpful hint: On this trail there is a section where hikers will encounter one iron rung they must climb)

Gorham Mountain Trail (Moderate)

If you are looking for more of a hike opposed to the Ocean Drive Trail, this is it. The Gorham Mountain Trail is a great combination of both a hike and a walk. Begin the loop by following the Ocean Drive Trail from Sand Beach until you reach the Gorham Mountain parking area. Or start from the parking area of Gorham and finish by walking the Ocean Drive Trail. Either way, you’ll discover great views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Helpful Hint: If parking is full at Sand Beach, continue on Park Loop Road to the Gorham Mountain parking lot.

Acadia Mountain & Mount Saint Sauveur (Moderate)

Acadia Mountain and Mount Saint Sauveur offer hikers great views of the quiet side of Mount Desert Island.  This hike is located right off of Route 198, the road heading past Echo Lake and towards Southwest Harbor. This trail allows hikers to explore Acadia National Park away from the Park Loop Road.

Somes Sound is one of the great views along this hike.  Somes Sound is a body of water that almost cuts Mount Desert Island in two!  The deepest point of the sound is measured at 175 feet!  It was known as the only fjord on the east coast. Recently, however it has been changed to a fjard. This change in name is due to Somes Sound lacking the steep walls of land surrounding the body of water.

Helpful Hint: On hot summer days, stop by Echo Lake Beach for a nice swim!  The Echo Lake Beach entrance is located just a short distance up the road from the parking area for Acadia Mountain!

Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail (Moderate)

Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak on Mount Desert Island, reaching an elevation of 1,532 feet. The hike up Cadillac’s North Ridge is the quickest of the ways to the top of the mountain. However, it can be moderately difficult. The hike to the top of Cadillac is one to not be missed. It allows hikers wonderful views of Mount Desert Island and beyond!

From the top of Cadillac Mountain, people are able to witness the sunrise before the rest of the United States!  Many people drive to the top of Cadillac to be the first to see the sunrise. However, there are those who choose to hike the ridge for first light!It can be very cold and dark! So, please be advised if deciding to hike Cadillac for the sunrise to have proper gear.

The Bowl & Champlain South Ridge (Moderate)

The Bowl and Champlain South Ridge are excellent hikes. They combine bog walks and an elevation high point of 1,058 feet! The hike up Champlain South Ridge brings hikers up the tip of the closest peak to the Atlantic Ocean!

South Ridge Trail Cadillac (Moderate)

Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak on Mount Desert Island reaching an elevation of 1,532 feet. The hike up Cadillac’s South Ridge is longer than the North Ridge Trail. However, it provides more of a gradual incline for hikers. Actually, it’s the longest ridge hike on Mount Desert Island. The hike to the top of Cadillac is one not to be missed. From there, you will enjoy wonderful views of Mount Desert Island and beyond!

The Difficult Trails

The Beehive (Difficult)

The Beehive precipice is a hike/climb for those who are not afraid of heights.  This hike is rather short in distance. However, it consists of areas where hikers must climb iron rungs and are exposed on the side of the peak.  However, the climbing and exposure are well worth the views!  (Helpful Hint: Do not return the way you came on this hike… The way down from the Beehive is more gradual and requires no down-climbing of rungs.)

Beech Cliffs Ladder Trail

Beech Cliffs Ladder Trail matches its name perfectly.  The trail combines both cliff faces and cables for support and ladders that hikers must climb.  The trail provides a nice break from swimming and hanging out at Echo Beach.

The Precipice

The Precipice is the most difficult trail in Acadia National Park. It is also one of the most well-known and sought after “hikes”! Hikers should also note that this is a climb rather than a hike.  Those who wish to do the Precipice will be climbing iron rungs and ladder systems to the peak  of Champlain. (Helpful Hint: Do not return the way you came… There are alternative ways down from Champlain, such as following the Bear Brook Trail back to the Park Loop Road.)

Trail Closure: The Precipice Cliffs and surrounding areas are used by peregrine falcons for nesting and rearing young fladglings. They are a state-listed endangered species. Peregrine falcons are very sensitive to disturbance near the nest site. To protect the peregrine chicks, the Precipice is closed to hikers/climbers from March 15th through August 15th. Please respect the times when the area is closed and seek out alternative hikes. (Helpful Hint: An alternative to the Precipice is The Beehive.)

Ladder Trail Dorr Mountain

The Ladder Trail up Dorr Mountain is a natural stair master! With more than 1,200 stone steps and ramps, this hike will leave your legs burning.  The hike is well worth the steps. One cannot help but appreciate the hard work that was put into creating this trail.

Penobscot & Sargent Mountain

The ridges of Penobscot and Sargent Mountain  combined equal the second longest ridge hike in Acadia National Park!  The trails can be rather rocky at times. There are several sections where iron rungs must be used to continue the hike.  From the top, hikers are able to see Jordan Cliffs and Jordan Pond. They can also see the tops of Bald Peak, Parkman Mountain and Gilmore Peak.