Maine: Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

Make your own independent arrangements for travel to Bar Harbor. If you’re flying to Maine, Bangor International Airport is the closest airport. For suggestions on traveling to Bar Harbor, please refer to your VBT Vacation Preparation Handbook.

As you begin biking Acadia National Park, you’ll meet your Local host and any other VBT guests arriving on the same day in the lobby of the Bar Harbor Inn in the lovely seaport town of Bar Harbor. At 1:00 p.m., join your VBT Local host for a Welcome Orientation and then head out on a ride to Schooner Head with optional walks of Sand Beach and Great Head.

Today's Ride Choices

Bar Harbor to Schooner Head — 9.5 miles

Sand Beach and Great Head Hikes — 2.8 miles

What to Expect:

Ride to Schooner Head Scenic Overlook along paved roads and enjoy the lovely ocean views before returning the way you came. You can lock your bike at the parking lot overlooking Great Head and Sand Beach and enjoy one or combine two short walks with ocean views or over Sand Beach’s Newport Cove.

Today’s routes biking Acadia National Park provide ample choice for mileage and variety. The Park Loop passes Compass Harbor, site of George Dorr’s Old Farm ruins. If you wish, a short hike (one-mile roundtrip) takes you to Dorr Point with views of Compass Harbor and the Porcupine Islands. Continue on the Park Loop past Sand Beach, where you can relax on the shore, winding past the Fabbri Memorial Picnic Area, and continuing to Jordan Pond. Perhaps after lunch at the Jordan Pond House, you join the Aunt Betty Pond Carriage road through the heart of the park. Alternatively you may circumnavigate Eagle Lake on carriage roads, leading to the Witch Hole area.

Tonight you’ll find several delightful options for dinner in Bar Harbor.

Today's Ride Choices

Park Loop Road to Jordan Pond — 14 miles

Jordan Pond House to Aunt Betty Pond to Bar Harbor — 10.7 miles

Eagle Lake and Paradise Hill Loops — 15.3 miles

What to Expect:

Short option:
The Eagle Lake and Paradise Hill loop departs Bar Harbor on paved roads for just under 4 miles before joining carriage roads at Eagle Lake, ascending gently to Paradise Hill and returning by looping up along Witch Hole Pond Carriage Road with its interesting ponds and wetlands.

Long option:
Depart Bar Harbor on the paved Park Loop for 14 miles, around the base of Day Mountain to arrive at the Jordan Pond House. Here, you join the carriage roads for about 8 miles past Eagle Lake and Aunt Betty’s Pond road and a shorter return on the Witch Hole Pond roads, and then a short paved segment into Bar Harbor.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Today’s route biking Acadia National Park merges with the carriage roads of Acadia National Park on the east side of Eagle Lake and a gradual ascent of Day Mountain with its unique perspective of the park. Return to Bar Harbor on the Around Mountain loop.

This afternoon, you may choose among several activities (at your own expense) including sea kayaking in Frenchman Bay or a sunset cruise on the schooner Margaret Todd. You may also decide to spend time browsing Bar Harbor’s charming gift shops and boutiques.

Today's Ride Choices

Carriage Roads via Eagle Lake to Day Mountain and Jordan Pond — 14.7 miles

Jordan Pond House to Around Mountain Loop to Bar Harbor — 15.6 miles

What to Expect:

Depart the Bar Harbor Inn and join the carriage roads of Acadia National Park, descending the east side of Eagle Lake past Bubble Pond to Day Mountain. A gradual ascent winds up this small hill and then you are rewarded with unique views of the park and a fun descent to the Jordan Pond House. Rolling terrain returns you along the Around Mountain Loop and the west side of Eagle Lake and past Breakneck Ponds to Bar Harbor.

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning, you can choose to ride the carriage trails one last time with one of the many rides offered. The easiest loop takes you around Witch Hole Pond from your hotel in Bar Harbor. A challenging option is to ride the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road. If you’re feeling strong and want to bike to the summit, the road is a steady ascent of 1,000 feet in 3.5 miles. The view from the top and the satisfaction are well worth the effort.

Today's Ride Choices

Witch Hole Pond Loop — 8.7 miles

Cadillac Mountain Loop — 14.4 miles

What to Expect:

Short option:
Depart the Bar Harbor Inn skirting the edge of town and joining the Carriage Roads at the Duck Brook Carriage Road trailhead. A counterclockwise loop provides views of Witch Hole Pond and surrounding wetlands with an option to stop at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center before returning to Bar Harbor.

Long option:
If you love to climb, ride on paved road from the hotel for 3 miles and begin the 3.5-mile ascent to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for its spectacular views. Enjoy the winding descent of the same length and return to Bar Harbor after having climbed about 1,500 feet. An early morning departure is highly recommended for this ride to avoid vehicle traffic.

Included Meals: Breakfast