Map

Sand Beach

Serves Bar Harbor, the Loop Road to Otter Point, and Route 3.

Scheduled stops vary by time of year and day. Please check a local schedule to confirm the stops that are currently in service.

This route provides access to trails on peaks including: Dorr, Champlain, and Gorham. It loops past all these mountains making it possible to hike a trail from end-to-end and then ride the Island Explorer back to your starting point.
This is one of the most popular routes in the park. Depending on your destination some alternative routes are Loop Road and Blackwoods.

  • Bar Harbor Village Green

    The Village Green of Bar Harbor's bustling downtown. Food, lodging, and shopping are all available here.

  • Cadillac North Ridge

    Cadillac North Ridge Trail access from the Loop Road.

  • Bar Harbor Overlook

    An expansive view of the village of Bar Harbor with the Porcupine islands and Schoodic peninsula in the distance. Early morning - just before sunrise - is the best time to be here.

  • Gorge Path

    Access to the north end of the Gorge Path, a rocky hike between the peaks of Cadillac and Dorr Mountains. Via Loop Road.

  • Kebo Mountain Trail

    Access to the north end of the Kebo Mountain Trail as well as the Kebo Brook Trail from the Loop Road.

  • Stratheden Path Trailhead

    Access to the Stratheden Path from the Loop Road.

  • Jessup Path

    Access to the north end of the Jessup Path as well as the Great Meadow Loop from the Loop Road.

  • Beaver Dam Pond

    Trees bearing the scars of attempts by beavers to chew them down. Brightly colored foliage in the autumn.

  • Champlain North Ridge Trailhead

    Champlain North Ridge Trail access from the Loop Road.

  • Orange and Black Path

    Orange and Black Path access from the Loop Road.

  • Precipice Trailhead

    Access to the Precipice Trail from the Loop Road. Murphy Lane Trail is on the east side of the road for walking.

  • Bowl Trailhead

    Access to many trails from the Loop Road including Beehive, North Gorham Mountain, and Champlain South Ridge. One of the most popular trails in Acadia; car parking can be difficult, for the nearest parking park after the fee station and before the trail.

  • Sand Beach

    Perhaps the most visited destination in the park. Both the beach itself and Great Head Trail are accessed by a set of two flights of stairs. The Ocean Path has entrances from both parking lots and runs south to Otter Cliffs. The Saterlee Trail starts on the North side of the entrance road. The Bowl trailhead is a short walk north along the Loop road.

  • Thunder Hole

    Best visited just past rising mid-tide. Bigger waves from a storm, or even better an offshore storm, provide the best show. Access to the Ocean Path.

  • Gorham Mountain Trailhead

    Access to the south end of the Gorham Mountain Trail from the Loop Road.

  • Otter Cliffs

    Tall granite cliffs with a sheer drop into the ocean and unbroken views of the Atlantic. Stairs lead to uneven trails along the top of the cliff face. This is the south end of the Ocean Path which runs north to Sand Beach.

  • Otter Point

    Renowned for its views of the Atlantic Ocean and tide pools.

  • Fabbri Monument

    Never crowded the Fabbri Monument overlooks Otter Cover and granite beaches.

  • Fabbri

    A picnic area with easy access to Otter Cove.

  • Otter Cove Trail

    West to the Quarry Path and Blackwoods Campground, east the trail ends at the Gorham Mountain Trailhead.

  • Cañon Brook Trailhead

    Provides access to trails along the southern flanks of Cadillac and Dorr Mountains as well as the Kane Path from Route 3.

  • Ladder Trail Trailhead

    A steep trail climbing the east side of Dorr Mountain. Trails on the south and east sides of Cadillac and Dorr mountains can be accessed by the Kane Path.

  • Beachcroft Path

    Trail crosses Route 3 west to east. To the east a climb over many rocky steps to the summit of Champlain Mountain. West to intersections with Wild Gardens Path, Kane Path, and Jessup Path before becoming Kurt Diederich's Climb.

  • Schooner Head Path

    Access to Schooner Head Path and Compass Harbor Trail. When entering turn left at the first intersection for Compass Harbor Trail or continue straight on Schooner Head Path.

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