Flying Mountain Loop Hike

The Flying Mountain Loop at Acadia National Park near Southwest Harbor, Maine is a moderate 1.5-mile hike that summits Flying Mountain and features views of Somes Sound, The Narrows, and Valley Cove.

Hiking Flying Mountain

This hike begins at the main trailhead for Flying Mountain, located near the end of Fernald Point Road at the coordinates provided. The route follows two named trails (Flying Mountain Trail and the Valley Cove Trail) in a counter-clockwise order, starting with the ascent to Flying Mountain's summit first.

The hike up Flying Mountain should be considered moderate. The trail winds through a pine forest with bedrock and large rocks for steps as the blue blazes define the path. Around mile 0.22, hikers will reach the "rock scramble" that the park lists on their information kiosk map. This short and easy rock scramble might not be easy for everyone, especially little kids, but we found it to be no more than taller rock steps. You should be able to traverse this scramble with ease.

Just beyond the rock scramble are views of Somes Sound to the south with smaller islands dotting the watery landscape below. To the east are views of a channel named The Narrows which bisects Flying Mountain from the town of Mount Desert.

Flying Mountain's Summit - Mile 0.3

Around mile 0.3 sits the summit of Flying Mountain with a sign and two different survey markers from 1934 located right next to each other. You'll also find more views of Somes Sound, Mount Desert, and The Narrows from the summit.

Somes Sound Overlook - Mile 0.57

After exploring the summit, the trail runs north along Flying Mountain's ridge line as it leads out to another overlook on the northeast side of the mountain. Located on the east side of the trail around mile 0.57, off of the main trail, sits the Somes Sound Overlook which provides hikers with northeast views from the mountain of both The Narrows and Somes Sound.

Hiking to Valley Cove Beach - Mile 0.57 to 0.95

After exploring the Somes Sound Overlook from the northeast slopes of Flying Mountain, the trail then traverses the northern slope as it leads downhill along switchbacks to reach Valley Cove below. Along the way are a couple of obstructed view points on-trail. If you aren't staring at your feet the entire way, be on the lookout for more views. Eventually, hikers will reach a small footbridge and off-shoot path that leads to the Valley Cove Beach. This route follows the path onto the beach where we took a short break and enjoyed the views and scenery of Somes Sound and Valley Cove. Here, you'll also notice very tall and prominent cliffs that sit below Saint Sauveur Mountain. These cliffs are home to peregrine falcon who typically nest in the cliffs each year. For their own safety and protection, the trail that runs below the cliffs is usually closed off each Spring to provide the birds with solitude for nesting.

Hiking to Parking - Mile 0.95 to 1.5

The last leg of this hike leads from Valley Cove beach back to the parking lot. Head back to the footbridge to find a trail junction with the Valley Cove Trail. Follow that trail due-south as it leads uphill and then finally follows a "flat" grade through an evergreen forest. Hike the trail until you reach the service road gate at the parking lot to complete this 1.5-mile loop hike.

Parking

Hikers will find a very small parking lot at the coordinates provided, located on the northwest side of Fernald Point Road. The lot is large enough to fit less than 10 vehicles as of May 2025.