Acadia Hiking and Kayaking Adventure
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
5 Days, 4 Nights 24MI / 39KM
Trip Highlights
This Acadia adventure features the park’s most exciting and challenging hikes, with thrilling climbs, stunning coastal summit views, and lush northeastern flora. After each day’s trek, we return to our historic Bar Harbor hotel to relax and enjoy fine Maine dining. The itinerary includes a sea kayaking excursion and a ferry ride to a remote peninsula, offering close encounters with the area’s marine and bird life. We also explore quieter, off-the-beaten-path areas of Acadia for a more secluded wilderness experience. Please note: this trip requires strong hiking ability, balance, and upper body strength to ascend iron rung ladders, and is not suitable for those with a fear of heights.
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Iconic Acadia Summits
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Sea Kayak Tour
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Stunning Coastal Hikes
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Wonderful Maine Cuisine
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Quaint Bar Harbor Lodging
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Ocean Ferry to Peninsula
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Famous Ladder Trails
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 8 Miles -
Group Size
2-8 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows generally well maintained trails, and has mostly moderate hiking distances and elevation gains/losses. What makes this trip level 3 difficulty (vs. level 2 for most inn-based tours) is the nature of the routes we hike and climb. At times we are ascending iron rung ladders or shuffling across narrow ledges with extreme exposure.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle: 90 minutes
Hiking Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 900 ft
Our adventure begins with pickup from your hotel in Bangor, ME and a short drive to the visitors center in Acadia, where we will board the Island Explorer shuttle and enjoy a short but scenic ride to Sand Beach. We will begin our inaugural trek on rocky terrain descending toward the Great Head of Acadia. The views are unparalleled and provide sweeping panoramas of the Gulf of Maine and surrounding peaks. As we continue on, we will make our way through pink granite cliffs and Birch forests looping back to the trailhead. From here, we will head south along the coast toward Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff, one of the most stunning overlooks along the Atlantic. Your guide will prepare a tasty trail lunch as we pause to take in the breathtaking views and watch for marine wildlife. After lunch we will embark on a last hike of the day to Jordan Pond. One of the most iconic hikes in the park, this glacially carved lake is surrounded by lush green mountains and is a perfect cap off to the day. We will enjoy a short drive to our lodging in Bar Harbor, get cleaned up and meet for a delicious, New England dinner.
Day 2
Shuttle: 40 minutes
Hiking Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,800 ft
Today we embark on a summit hike to the top of two of Acadia’s most iconic peaks, with sweeping vistas of coastal islands, Bar Harbor proper, spruce forests and dramatic granite cliffs. Our hike will start fairly gently before climbing (ladders included) to our first peak of the day. We will take some time to enjoy the quiet summit before ascending our second mountain. We will find a spot to enjoy the ocean views as the guide prepares lunch. After lunch we will loop back to our starting point and – if time allows – visit one of Bar Harbor’s museums or explore Bar Harbor before cleaning up for another dinner out on the town.
Day 3
Shuttle: 60 minutes
Ferry: 45 minutes
Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 880 ft
Our hike today takes us to the quieter side of Acadia, the Schoodic Peninsula. We will enjoy a short ferry from Bar Harbor east across Winter Harbor to reach our destination. From here we will drive the loop road, stopping at vistas to take in the stunning surf along the Atlantic Coast. We will head out to Blueberry Hill to start our hike of the day, ascending “the “Anvil” and Schoodic Head. We will take as much time as we desire at the rocky outcropping above the peninsula, looking out at the expanse of ocean as we eat a tasty picnic lunch. We descend down a gentle, wooded slope to finish the loop. From here we will explore Winter Harbor before returning to our hotel.
Day 4
Shuttle: 35 minutes
Hiking Distance: 4.3 miles
Sea Kayaking: ~4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,050 ft
This morning we will begin our adventure early, and head into the park as soon as it opens. We will scramble the Beehive Trail, Acadia’s most famous hike, climbing on iron rungs at the edge of rocky bluffs. After a short summit we will descend down the easier side and stop by a scenic pond. After a quick moment to rest we will hike a much more gentle path to a second summit of the day and enjoy a snack and breathtaking views. We will return to the van, completing our loop, and head back to our hotel to enjoy a bit of down time.
This afternoon is our sea kayaking adventure! Our four-hour tour, led by a local company we contract with, explores the Porcupine Islands, arguably the most breathtaking paddling venue on Maine’s coast. We will kayak approximately 5 miles of Frenchman Bay’s coastline, and punctuate our tour with a stop at an island to comb and explore the beach. The local guides will provide professional instruction in fundamental paddling technique and will point out wildlife, which can include harbor seals, porpoises and other marine and bird life. Today’s paddle is in tandem kayaks, and guests must be 12 or older to participate.
Day 5
Shuttle: 60 minutes
Hiking Distance: 3.4 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 850 ft
Today we will begin with a scenic shuttle toward Bass Harbor on the quieter, southwest side of Mount Desert Island. We will check out an iconic lighthouse rising above the rugged, rocky coastline. From here we will drive to the start a spectacular loop hike. We will ascend immediately on rocky steps and finally some ladders before arriving at the top of steep, rocky cliffs that offer views across western Acadia, freshwater lakes and beyond to the ocean. We will have an easier ascent up the next peak, Beech Mountain, climbing through beech forest on a gentle trail before a final scramble to the peak’s summit. After a snack and some time to enjoy this second view, we will zig-zag back down the other side of the mountain to our vehicle. After a packed full morning and early afternoon, we will have one last lunch together. Then your guide will transport you back to Bangor, ME for the conclusion of our tour. What a week it’s been!
Trip Dates
What's Included
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Four nights of double occupancy lodging in Bar Harbor(single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Use of trekking poles and a day pack
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All meals are included from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Sea kayaking tour provided by a third party
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
The Central House
Constructed in the late 19th century, Central House provides guests with modern amenities yet has maintained its wonderful, historic charm. It puts us right in the action for perfect access to our daily hikes and evening dinners. (wifi, A/C, cable)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your hiking guide and group the morning of Day 1 in Bangor, ME. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip to coordinate the exact time and location of the rendezvous, which will depend on guest accommodations, current weather and other conditions.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Bangor, ME
This tour originates in Bangor, ME. Bangor International Airport is serviced by most major airlines and from many large airports around the United States, and even the world.
Start/End Times
Your guide will coordinate the first day’s rendezvous time approximately 2 weeks before the trip. Generally, you can expect it to be between 7 and 9 a.m., although the exact time will depend on current conditions. We will be back to Bangor on the last day normally before 5 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
- For the kayaking portion, guests must be 12 or older and an adult must be on every tandem kayak
Reviews
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Vicki N
12 months agoExtremely pleased with Wildland!
I’ve had two amazing trekking trips with Wildland. The Dolomite’s and Acadia. I am extremely pleased with Wildland! Our guides were knowledgeable, caring, fun and we could not have experienced all that we did without their expertise! I highly recommend them.
Denise S
1 year agoSpectacular
The Maine hiking and kayaking trip was spectacular. Our guide, Sean, was knowledgeable, personable, intuitive, fun and flexible. The accommodations were amazing. The trip had every little detail figured out. I was just able to hike and enjoy myself and leave everything else to Wildland.
Carli M
1 year agoPerfect way to experience Acadia National Park!
This trip is the perfect way to experience Acadia National Park! You will get to climb over boulders, ascend mountains using ladders and rebars, experience fairy woodlands, and meditate while the ocean hits the rocky coast. The best part is that you don't have to worry about a thing while you experience this. From engaging facts about the local flora to delicious lunch spreads, my guide Anthony took care of every aspect and truly made my tip unforgettable!
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