How to Hike Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is located in Maine's Acadia National Park just outside Bar Harbor. This mountain summit is the highest peak along the coast of the U.S. It's so high, in fact, that between the months of October and March, the top of Cadillac is the first place in the country to see the sun rise.
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Instructions
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Contact the park ranger station at (207) 288-3338 or check the website to find out the dates and times the park is open. You may also want to find a campground to stay at when you're visiting. There are several near the park.
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Take Route 95 to Bangor, then grab Route 3 to Acadia.
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Determine what kind of hike you want. There are several ways to summit Cadillac Mountain, with options available to suit the most avid hiker to the "I just want to walk a little" crowd.
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Begin on the South Ridge trail, which you can pick up near the Blackwoods campground. Going north on this trail offers some spectacular views, including a place to stop and rest by a pond. This more strenuous hike will bring you to the bustling summit parking lot. When you're ready to finish this 7 1/2-mile loop, descend along the Door Mountain trail. Eventually, you should pick up the Murray Young trail and head south. Next, hit the Cannon Brook trail, reconnect with the South Ridge trail and follow it back to the parking lot you came from.
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Take it easier and keep the hike to 2 miles by following the North Ridge trail all the way to the top of Cadillac Mountain. Use a good map of the park, which you can obtain in Acadia, to create a loop by taking short jaunts on several trails. Avoid inner trails, which tend to be rockier and have harder inclines.
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Drive to the top and walk the simple loop that goes around the summit. This isn't exactly hiking, but if you throw a backpack on and splash a little water under your arms, no one will know the difference when they see the photos.
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Pack your gear wisely no matter which trail you choose. Be sure you have dependable footwear with solid soles. Running shoes and other sneakers won't give you enough traction on this rocky terrain. Also, pack for the weather, which is unpredictable in Maine. It can be suddenly cold, windy, rainy or surprisingly hot. Don't forget sunscreen, bug repellent, a first-aid kit, water and snacks.
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Tips & Warnings
Dogs are welcome on the trail.
Always let someone know where you plan to hike and how long you intend to be gone before you head out.
Avoid hiking in the winter when the trail can be icy and dangerous, and never hike at night.
