Acadia: Summits to Ocean Inn-based
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
4 Days, 3 Nights 19MI / 30KM
Trip Highlights
This 4-day New England adventure features spectacular hiking in Acadia National Park and a full experience of coastal Maine’s charm. Each day we explore Mount Desert Island—hiking summit ridges, rocky shorelines, and dense spruce forests—before returning to our premium seaside hotel in Bar Harbor. We’ll also venture beyond the island via ocean ferry to the breathtaking Schoodic Peninsula. Your guide will prepare delicious trail lunches, and each evening includes locally sourced seafood and relaxing oceanside walks. This classic Acadia hiking tour highlights the very best of New England’s most iconic national park.
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Stunning Coastal HIkes
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Premier Seaside Lodging
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Iconic Acadia Summit
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Wonderful Northeastern Cuisine
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Local Bar Harbor Lodging
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Ocean Ferry to Schoodic Peninsula
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Fascinating Natural & Cultural History
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-8 mi -
Group Size
2-8 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows generally well maintained trails, with some walking in unmaintained areas such as beaches and tidal zones. With light day packs and generally moderate distances and elevation gains/losses, this tour is a solid Level 2 Difficulty.
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 min
Hiking Distance: 7.7 mi
Elevation Gain/loss: 500 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 time: 30 Min
Hiking Distance: 4.3+ miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1885 ft
Today we embark on a summit hike to the top of one (and possibly two) of Acadia’s most iconic mountains, with sweeping vistas of coastal islands, Bar Harbor proper, spruce forests and dramatic granite cliffs. Today’s hike is surrounded by deep coastal forests and stunning panoramas of Acadia National Park. We will take as much time as we’d like on the summit as your guide prepares a picnic lunch. After lunch we will loop back to our starting point and – if time allows – visit one of Bar Harbor’s many museums or enjoy a beach walk along the coast.
Day 3
Ferry: 45 Min
Shuttle: 50 min
Hiking Distance: 3.15+ mi
Elevation Gain/loss: 880 ft
Our hike today takes us to the exciting Schoodic Peninsula. We will enjoy a short ferry from Bar Harbor east across Winter Harbor to reach our destination. From here, we begin our hike from the coast up to Schoodic Head, providing many overlooks of the stunning surf along the Atlantic Coast, and a great view of Little Moose Island. We will stop to savor the view, have a tasty trail lunch and loop back, crossing over the “Anvil” and Blueberry Hill along the way. Post hike, we will hop back on the ferry, then make our way back to Bar Harbor, making a few more stops along the way at worthwhile viewpoints.
Day 4
Shuttle: 1 hour
Hiking Distance: 3.35+ mi
Elevation Gain/loss: 1000ft
Today we will begin with a scenic shuttle toward Bass Harbor on the quieter southwest side of Mount Desert Island, stopping about halfway for a hike up to Beech Mountain. Our loop ascent starts out fairly level, then climbs quickly up the slopes of the peak for well-deserved views. After a snack we will zig-zag back down the other side of the mountain to our vehicle. Continuing on, we will make our way to Bass Harbor. During our visit here, we will take a walk along the coast and, if parking allows, explore a local lighthouse. After a packed full morning and early afternoon, we will have a last lunch together, and your Guide will transport you back to Bangor, ME for the conclusion of our tour.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Three nights of double occupancy lodging (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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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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.
Bar Harbor Inn
3 Nights
Located harborside in the heart of Bar Harbor overlooking Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands, the Bar Harbor Inn is an iconic and historic New England lodge with genuine Maine hospitality, superior service, and timeless charm. Its beautifully landscaped eight acres offer a private retreat with easy walking access to unique shops, art galleries and waterfront activities in downtown Bar Harbor.
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.
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
Reviews
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Brenda K
2 years agoAmazing Trip
The Acadia Summits to Ocean trip was AMAZING. It was a great blend of hiking rugged terrain & beautiful views. The food prepared by our guide, Lindsey was AWESOME! Highly recommend this trip. If you are thinking about it...DO IT!
Mark O
2 years agoAwesome
We planned a wonderful hiking experience with Wildland Trekking in Acadia National Park. Our base Hotel location was Bar Harbor Inn, in Maine which is picture perfect for a family summer vacation. Our 21 yr old boys were all in for an action packed vaca before senior year of college began the day after we returned home. The Wildland Trekking company takes you on hikes, plans the week, the dinners, light lunch and transportation as well as the tips and tricks to avoid the crowds each day to hike. An example is one Loop hike up high, I noticed we went right, while others went left to hike. Our come around the corner moment was shockingly beautiful with view and elevation, if you went the tourist way – there was no surprise! We were well paced and not rushed. I feel we saw it all, even thought the map will tell a different story. That said, we covered many locations in the park – lakes, mountains, beaches, rocks, and story filled moments to last a lifetime. The week was planned out well with long hikes, elevation hikes and degrees of difficulty (sorry to scare you here) which I never thought I could do. But I did. Our guide made us feel accomplished and great about our hiking adventures and how we did it. Like climbing a rock scramble 1700 ft to the top of Cadillac Mountain. I thought I could do anything that day. I will not give it away as to the hikes, but they are different, exciting, and cover all types of the area. You will be challenged, and it is unlike anything I have ever done. Did I mention, NO Bears. Relaxed and fun. The Bar harbor area is just a nice small town in Acadia. Touristy, for sure. But delicious food at the restaurants, great stores to look through ad buy clothing, trinkets and cool stuff – your in the national Park so great souvenirs. The Bar Harbor Inn is spectacular. Why – old world nice!! great beds, quiet, respectful, great gardens, good food, cookies at 4pm, fire and smores at 7pm. Nice people run it! The Gettys restaurant has good food and drink. If you need hiking shoes and clothing due to cool weather, it is all downtown. Great places to hang out too. We need to go back for many experiences missed due to time. We did take the ferry, they also have a big ship for sunsets, and whale watching. I highly recommend a guided tour. If you have never checked it out, look at Wildland Trekking across the USA for trips. By the way, we did Yellowstone with them. – Awesome.
Stacey O
2 years agoMore amazing than we expected.
This experience by far exceeded our expectations. acadia is beautiful, the hikes were both challenging and unforgettable, and it was the trip of a lifetime for our family of 4. Our boys were 21 at time of travel and said it was a vacation they will never forget.
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