Explore the best rated trails in Bar Harbor, ME, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University of Maine Bicycle Path and Down East Sunrise Trail . With more than 10 trails covering 145 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I love the waterfront it’s such a beautiful area and the scenery along waterfront is awesome
The carriage roads of Acadia National Park are among the most beautiful and rewarding places I've ridden. They are unique and unlike a typical rail-trail, but if they were, they would undoubtedly be in the Hall of Fame. The riding on the carriage roads is comparable to the Virginia Creeper Trail, with some climbing and numerous great views, but the carriage roads are generally wider and more engineered. They offer a fantastic range of scenery, including dense forests, lakes, stream crossings over historic stone bridges and spectacular views of the coastal mountains, bays, ocean and inland Maine. With forty-five miles open to bicycles, one can plan a variety of rides from relatively flat and easy circuits around the lakes and ponds to more extended climbing in the mountains. The grade is typically gentle and the National Park Service does a wonderful job of keeping the carriage roads groomed and free of obstacles. Being the only national park in the region, Acadia can be very crowded during the summer and the carriage roads are often congested. Cyclists need to be very careful around horses in particular. The more challenging and remote sections of the carriage roads are typically less crowded, so those are better choices during the summer. Late October to early November is the best time for cycling as the crowds, heat and humidity give way to crisp cool days without insect pests. The carriage roads can easily be ridden with almost any kind of bike except road bikes, but most riders would probably do best with a dedicated gravel bike, fat bike, hybrid or hardtail mountain bike. E-bikes are a common sight and can be rented in Bar Harbor. Suspension is mostly unnecessary but good tires are a must. Surface conditions can range from hardpack to fairly deep gravel, so wider tires with some teeth are helpful. Good brakes are also highly recommended. The carriage roads provide a fantastic cycling experience but they do require hundreds of hours of upkeep so please be sure to purchase a park pass. As a capstone to a stupendous carriage road adventure, Bar Harbor has plenty of restaurants where one can enjoy a traditional Maine post-ride pigout of chowdah, lobstah and beeah. Enjoy!
I skied the entire trail over 6 days eastbound in February 2020. There were a few snow machines but they were never a problem. All were courteous and plenty of room to share the trail. Camping was fun and greatly aided by the picnic tables placed trailside. Very enjoyable trip!
Plenty of places to park at either end of this out and back trail. No ATVs allowed, obviously. Just a bit short of three miles, roundtrip. Very easy walk, only downside is that it's very much on the short side, less that 1.5 miles each way, out and back. No facilities along the trail, though there are plenty of opportunities to walk a few dozen yards to visit local businesses and eateries. Dog friendly, on leash please, and a dog waste disposal can is about halfway along the trail. Would that all walking trails made that accommodation!
Straight through out-and-back bike path to and from the Orono campus and Old Town ME. One emergency call box was out of order the day we walked the bike path. Only a few bikers, others were walking/jogging or running. About 1/3 in shade. Walk right, ride left!
Lovely, flat, well kept. I started a bit further back at the Belfast Boathouse, walked all the way out and back for almost 6 miles.
Has a nice River view, can occasionally hear trains tooting, people are dining to the side on restaurant patios
Nice River view, can occasionally hear trains tooting, restaurants with people dining can be seen to the side, fine for a City Walk
After biking the Aroostook Trail, I came down to Washington Junction for the Sunrise Trail. I encountered several ATVs but only one was miffed (it was a narrow section of sand/gravel around miles 3-4 and they honked at me and I stopped to let them by). I have a Trek Verve with decent tires that I use on the C&O Canal towpath gravel/dirt/and crush-and-run. My experience with the Sunrise trail from mile 1.7 to mile 12.5 is that it was 50-60% gravel with some sand, 20-25% hard-packed smooth dirt, and 20-25% really sandy gravel that was difficult to pedal through. I'm used to doing 30 miles on the easy towpath crush-and-run but after 21 miles on this trail I was exhausted (I'm 63, give me a break). Horseflies!! I wanted to stop to blow my nose but 7-8 horseflies were ready when I stopped so I kept going. I liked the trail and maybe I will check out the other end but the west end is not for the casual biker.
Don't be intimidated by the atvs on this trail, the drivers we encountered on the 4th of July were polite and the trail was just wide enough. Machias is the most "settled" for 35 miles around on the north end with stores and restaurants, which is where we tried it out. Absolutely LOVELY! Plus--the U.S. Bikeway #1 of street routes has an easy section here that crosses the Downeast at Rim Rd, East Machias and heads into Machiasport, passing the site of the first naval battle of the American Revolution. PLUS!--there is a "Sculpture Trail" that intersects here as well, at Roque Bluffs state park and at the U of Maine in town. This well maintained trail needs an itinerary!
Twas a lovely way to start the day, walking above & beside the river with the dogs. Very accessible hard packed stone dust path & fairly smooth bridges. Highly recommend for those visiting Belfast.
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