This easy hike takes in some of Acadia’s most famous sights
This story was originally published in January 2021.
Difficulty: Easy. The 2.1-mile Ocean Path is a wide trail that is mostly gravel. Expect a few small hills and stairs made of wood or stone. The trail becomes more rugged and rocky as it circles Otter Point. Keep in mind that this is a 4.2-mile round-trip hike unless you park vehicles at either end or turn back early.
Information: Running along the scenic, rocky coast of Mount Desert Island, the Ocean Path is a popular, easy hiking trail in Acadia National Park that stretches from the famous Sand Beach to Otter Point. There are several short side trails along the way to overlooks where you can picnic on pink granite boulders or simply enjoy the ocean views.
If you start at the Sand Beach parking lot, the start of the Ocean Path is just past the restrooms and changing rooms and is marked with a cedar sign. From there, the trail climbs to Park Loop Road, which it mostly parallels. Along the trail are beautiful twisted evergreen trees called pitch pines. Notice that the long needles grow not only from the branches of the trees, but also from the trunks.
As you continue, you will have many opportunities to follow maintained side trails to the shore. Be sure to stay on established trails (which often include stone steps) and not hike on unofficial trails created by hikers. In some areas, you may notice small signs that say “restoration area” or roped off areas. This means you should stay on the main Ocean Path.
From left: The lower section of the Thunder Hole observation deck is closed due to ice on Jan. 26, 2021, in Acadia National Park. A cobblestone beach is seen from the Ocean Path in Acadia National Park on Jan. 26, 2021. Photo credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN
After about 0.7 miles, the trail passes Thunder Hole, a coastal rock formation and cave that creates a thunder-like sound as the water rushes in and out—assuming you come at the right time, which is usually two hours before high tide. At other times, you may just hear a gurgling sound. A walkway and stairs lined with railings lead along the cliffs to a closer view of Thunder Hole, but the lower part of it may be closed due to inclement weather or ice. This landmark is one of the most famous destinations in Acadia.
A parking area for Thunder Hole is located across Park Loop Road. And there are two more parking areas along Park Loop Road between Sand Beach and Thunder Hole, allowing hikers to get on and off the Ocean Path at multiple points.
The trail continues past Thunder Hole along the shore to a view of Monument Cove, where there is a beach with large, undulating cobblestones. Just beyond the cove is a cedar sign for the Gorham Mountain Trail. The trailhead and parking area are across the Park Loop Road. Gorham Mountain rises 525 feet above sea level and offers great views of the island and the ocean. The trail is 1 mile from the trailhead to the summit.
The final section of the Ocean Path climbs gradually to run along the top of Otter Cliff. It then circles around Otter Point and ends at a parking lot. This section of the trail is a little rough. It moves away from the road and follows the shoreline, sometimes running over uneven bedrock. This is also the section of the trail where the ice sometimes lasts longer in winter, as it is in shade for most of the day. Watch your step.
From left: BDN reporter Aislinn Sarnacki and her dog Juno sit together at an overlook along the Ocean Path in Acadia National Park on Jan. 26, 2021; A group of bufflehead ducks swim near shore and are seen from an overlook along the Ocean Path in Acadia National Park on Jan. 26, 2021. Photo credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN & Courtesy of Derek Runnells
The trail ends at the Otter Point parking lot just after you circle the headland. Since there is a bus stop at Otter Point and Sand Beach, this is a great hike if you use the Island Explorer bus system.
Dogs are allowed on this trail if they are kept on a leash at all times and the leash must not be longer than 6 feet. Dogs are not allowed on Sand Beach from June 15th to September 8th. They are allowed on the beach at all other times but must be on a leash.
All visitors to Acadia must pay an entrance fee upon entering the park from May through October. All vehicles must have a park entrance pass clearly visible through the windshield. Park passes are usually available at several locations on Mount Desert Island, including the park’s visitor centers. You can purchase a pass online and print one before you arrive at the park. For more information, visit nps.gov/acad or call 207-288-3338.
Personal note: With a puppy, there are many firsts to look forward to – both for the puppy and the owners. On January 26, my puppy Juno visited Acadia National Park for the first time. We started our adventure at Sand Beach, where she played in the sand and seaweed for the first time. Then we walked the Ocean Path, where she experienced small hiking obstacles like stone steps and granite slopes. She also saw her first snowshoe hare.
With its soft white fur, the rabbit stood out like a sore thumb in the largely snow-free landscape. I first saw it hop up the trail ahead of us and then disappear behind a hill. Hoping to snap a photo from a distance, I headed up the trail ahead of my husband Derek and our puppy. But the rabbit was nowhere to be found. Resigned, I turned to return to my hiking companions when – bam – there it was, sitting right next to the trail.
The rabbit was so close that I had to change the settings on my camera to get my lens to focus. I warned Derek and he picked up Juno so we could sneak past the animal without a scuffle between rabbit and pup. Juno stared at the animal with her big blue eyes but, to my surprise, didn’t make a sound.
Temperatures remained below -6 degrees that day, but the land protected us from the cold breeze and the sun, unobstructed by any clouds, warmed us as we walked. Offshore we spotted several waterfowl, including a group of bufflehead ducks. And at Thunder Hole we stopped and listened to the gurgling sound of the water lapping through the cave.
We walked all the way to Otter Point, constantly checking on Juno to make sure she wasn’t cold or tired. Then we walked back and stopped at Sand Beach once again to enjoy the beauty of the beach with few people walking around on its silky sand. For those who have been to the busy Sand Beach in the summer, it’s quite remarkable to see it so deserted. Winter is truly a special time in Acadia.
How to get there: There are several parking areas that provide access to the Ocean Path. They are all located along a one-way section of the Park Loop Road on Mount Desert Island. During the summer, the Park Loop Road is accessible from several park entrances.
From the Hulls Cove entrance on Route 3, just north of Bar Harbor, turn left onto Park Loop Road (drive the loop clockwise) to reach the Sand Beach parking area in about 6 miles. Or from the Sieur de Monts entrance on Route 3, just south of Bar Harbor, turn left onto Park Loop Road (drive it clockwise) to reach Sand Beach in about 3 miles. However, these routes are not an option in the winter, as sections of Park Loop Road are closed.
In the winter, south of Bar Harbor on Route 3, turn left onto Schooner Head Road and travel 2.5 miles. Turn right to enter the park at the Sand Beach entrance. After about 0.1 mile, turn left onto Park Loop Road and travel about 0.5 mile to the Sand Beach parking lot. You will pass the Sand Beach Entrance Station on the way.
Another option is to continue past Sand Beach and park in the other parking lots along Park Loop Road to Ocean Path, including the parking lot at Thunder Hole and Otter Point. Keep in mind that all of these lots fill up quickly in the summer. Come early in the morning, late in the afternoon, on weekdays, or off-season for a better chance of getting a parking spot.
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