Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine contains more than 120 miles of hiking trails that range from very easy to strenuous workouts. Most average about one mile in length, however many intersect and forming a complex network, so it is possible to combine multiple trails to cover large areas of the park.

View of "The Bubbles," as seen from the trailhead

At 3.3 miles in length, Jordan Pond Shore Trail is one of the longer (and more popular), as it offers the best views of “The Bubbles” a pair of glacially sculpted mounds located directly across the pond from the trailhead. This trail has a little bit of everything; portions run along a well graded, level path, while other portions require scrambling over granite boulders or walking along a sometimes wobbly elevated rough plank boardwalk.

Parts of the trail are nicely improved while other parts require scrambling over giant granite boulders

The pond water is so clean that submerged granite boulders near the shore are clearly visible. Because the 150-foot deep reservoir is a source of drinking water for nearby Bar Harbor, swimming is prohibited, Kayaking and canoeing, however, are allowed, and Jordan Pond is one of the more beautiful places in Acadia National Park to paddle.

Swampy or fragile areas are traversed by a wooden boardwalk

Perhaps the best part of hiking at this particular location is the opportunity to dine at Jordan Pond House, where you can enjoy afternoon tea & popovers (a light, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth puff-pastry), a tradition since the 1800′s. Though the only accommodations available inside Acadia National Park are campgrounds, it is located just outside of the town of Bar Harbor, Maine, where a wide variety of lodging is available.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels