Hiking in Maine can be a (literal) walk in the park or something much more difficult. The challenging hikes are best for those who have experience traversing rocky terrain, but people need not be afraid to take on all hikes in Maine for fear that they’ll be too hard. There are so many lovely and easy trails here that can be tackled in a short afternoon outside. One of our favorites is Jesup Path, located in Bar Harbor.
To enjoy this 1.5-mile trail, head towards Acadia National Park and enter through the Hulls Cove Entrance.
You’ll take the famous Park Loop Road for about 3 miles before making a left turn to head towards Sand Beach. But, don’t get too comfortable!
You’ll be veering off the Park Loop Road when you get to Sieur de Monts, where you’ll begin following signs to the Nature Center.
Park and begin your walk on the trail which begins next to the Wild Gardens of Acadia.
Begin on the small wooden bridge, which acts as the trail head for Jesup Path.
You’ll pass over Hemlock Road (for pedestrians only) where the path becomes an easy-to-travel boardwalk.
This is just about the best part of the trail! It meanders through a marshy area, completely surrounded by a white birch forest.
The forest nature here are lush and you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re so close to the rocky coast of Acadia National Park.
The boardwalk portion of the trail ends when it passes over Hemlock Road for the second time, though the Jesup Path itself continues on into the Great Meadow.
Continue on through the Great Meadow.
When you reach the Park Loop Road, you’ll turn onto Great Meadow Loop to continue the walk towards the next point which is Hemlock Road (again!)
Take a right turn and you’ll be led back to the Great Meadow once more. You’ll pass the boardwalk again and then find yourself immersed in a forest with beautiful, huge hemlocks. The road ends at the parking lot and you’ve completed your journey!
For an incredible video journey through Acadia, click here! And, share on Facebook this with someone you'd love to take on this easy, lovely walk.
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