Gorham Mountain & Cadillac Cliffs Hike - Acadia NP

Gorham Mountain and Cadillac Cliffs Hike

The Gorham Mountain and Cadillac Cliffs hike at Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine is a moderate 1.8-mile out-and-back hike that leads to the summit of Gorham Mountain and features views and rocky cliff outcroppings.

Hiking Gorham Mountain

This hike begins at the main parking lot for Gorham Mountain, located on the west side of Park Loop Road on the south side of the mountain. The trail leads up the mountain at a moderate grade following blue blazes as the path traverses exposed bedrock and passes through a mixed forest of evergreens and various species of deciduous trees. The trail itself doesn't have much to see until you reach the Cadillac Cliffs Trail section of the hike, which starts at mile 0.22.

"Pathmaker" Waldron Bates Memorial - Mile 0.22

Around mile 0.22, about 15-feet before the turn to Cadillac Cliffs, is a bronze memorial plaque dedicated to the "Pathmaker" Waldron Bates. Waldron Bates was associated with creating about 25-miles of trails in the area during the late 1800s and this route was designed and created in his vision. You can read more about Waldron Bates on the national park's website.

Cadillac Cliffs Trail - Mile 0.22 to 0.5

Just beyond the Waldron Bates memorial plaque is the Cadillac Cliffs Trail. This path leads along cliffs that sit on Gorham Mountain's eastern slopes. The trail traverses between rocky outcroppings, passes over large boulders, and even slips through a very short but scenic rock tunnel. There's a ~20-foot deep mossy and damp cave that sits at the bottom of one of the cliffs, just before the trail skirts up the steep rock "steps" that leads back to the Gorham Mountain Trail. Just before the trail ends, hikers will climb a 5-foot tall metal rung cliff ledge.

Hiking to Gorham Mountain - Mile 0.5 to 0.9

After exploring the Cadillac Cliffs Trail, hikers will follow the Gorham Mountain Trail north as it traverses the main ridge line. Along the way are several vista points where you'll find stunning views to the south of Otter Point, the Otter Cliffs, Otter Cove, and Hunters Head. To the northeast you'll find views of Sand Beach, The Beehive, Great Head, and Frenchman Bay. While these views are scattered throughout, some of the best views can be found between miles 0.58 and 0.66. After traversing the exposed bedrock trail, following the Bates cairns to guide you, around mile 0.9 you'll hit the summit of Gorham Mountain denoted by the trail sign and rock cairn holding it up. Just beyond the summit are northwest views of Cadillac Mountain and Dorr Mountain with private property at the base of the mountains.

Hiking Out via Gorham Mountain Trail - Mile 0.9 to 1.8

The hike back to parking from the summit of Gorham Mountain is straight forward -- simply head back down the mountain the way you came from, but keep right at the trail junction by the Cadillac Cliffs. Enjoy the views on your way down. There are a couple of vista points along the Gorham Mountain Trail, located above the Cadillac Cliffs, so be on the lookout for those near miles 1.42 and 1.45 with views of Sand Beach and the Otter Cliffs. Finally, the trail returns back to the parking lot at mile 1.8 to complete the Gorham Mountain summit hike.

Parking

Hikers will find a small parking lot at the coordinates provided, located on the west side of the one-way road Park Loop Road. The lot is large enough to fit less than 20 vehicles as of May 2025.