Bradford MaineHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Bradford, Maine.
1. Bradbury Mountain State Park
HISTORIC SUMMIT VIEWS
Bradbury Mountain State Park is one of Maine's five original state parks offering over 24 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. The park features sweeping views of Casco Bay and the Portland skyline from its summit, especially breathtaking during fall foliage. Visitors can explore historical features like a 1920s feldspar quarry and an intact 19th-century cattle pound along the Northern Loop Trail.
2. Northern Loop Trail
HISTORIC GRADUAL ASCENT
The Northern Loop Trail is a one-mile wide gradual ascent to the summit of Bradbury Mountain. Along this trail, hikers pass a feldspar quarry that was active during the 1920s for mining materials used in making plates and cups. Further along, visitors will discover an almost intact cattle pound used by townspeople in the 1800s to keep stray farm animals.
3. Beehive Trail
CHALLENGING COASTAL CLIMB
The Beehive Trail is a top-rated hiking trail offering spectacular views of the Maine coastline. This challenging trail features iron rungs and steep dropoffs, making it an exciting adventure for experienced hikers. The trail rewards climbers with panoramic views of Sand Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
4. Ocean Path
SCENIC COASTAL WALK
Ocean Path is a highly-rated coastal trail that follows the eastern shoreline of Mount Desert Island. This accessible trail offers spectacular views of the rugged Maine coastline, including famous landmarks like Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs. Hikers can easily access the rocky shoreline at numerous points along the path for tide pooling and photography opportunities.
5. Cadillac North Ridge Trail
PANORAMIC HARBOR VIEWS
The Cadillac North Ridge Trail provides hikers with stunning views of Frenchman Bay and its islands as well as unique perspectives of Bar Harbor village. This 4.2-mile round trip trail offers a moderate climb to the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Hikers will experience open ridge walking with expansive panoramic vistas throughout much of the journey.
6. Cadillac South Ridge Trail
EXPOSED MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
The Cadillac South Ridge Trail is a 7.1-mile round trip advanced hiking path providing outstanding views of the ocean and outlying islands. This trail traverses the bare and exposed southern ridge of Cadillac Mountain, offering spectacular panoramic vistas. Hikers should be prepared for significant elevation gain and changing weather conditions on this longer mountain adventure.
7. Cadillac Summit Loop
ACCESSIBLE MOUNTAIN VIEWS
The Cadillac Summit Loop is a half-mile accessible trail circling the top of Cadillac Mountain. This easy walking path provides those who have driven to the summit with spectacular 360-degree views from the mountaintop. The trail is designed for accessibility, making it possible for visitors of various mobility levels to experience Acadia's highest point.
8. Bubbles Trail
UNIQUE GLACIAL FORMATION
The Bubbles Trail leads hikers to the distinctive twin rounded mountains known as the Bubbles that overlook Jordan Pond. This moderately challenging trail includes some rock scrambling and offers excellent views of Mount Desert Island's interior. The South Bubble features the famous Bubble Rock, a glacial erratic perched precariously on the mountainside.
9. Precipice Trail
THRILLING VERTICAL CLIMB
The Precipice Trail is Acadia's most challenging and thrilling hiking route, featuring iron rungs, ladders, and narrow ledges along a near-vertical climb. This non-technical climbing route ascends 1,000 feet in just 0.9 miles up the eastern face of Champlain Mountain. Hikers are rewarded with spectacular views of Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, and the surrounding Acadia landscape.
10. Peaks-Kenny State Park
LAKESIDE FOREST RETREAT
Peaks-Kenny State Park offers scenic hiking trails through forests along the shores of Sebec Lake. The park features several miles of well-maintained trails suitable for hikers of various abilities, from easy shoreline paths to more challenging woodland routes. Visitors can enjoy swimming, picnicking, and camping in addition to exploring the trail network.