Acadia National Park

Hike Carriage Roads

FamiliesCyclistsAccessibility
0 mi Distance
Varies Estimated Time
Out & Back Trail Type

What to Expect

Acadia's carriage roads are the great equalizer — forty-five miles of crushed-granite paths that John D. Rockefeller Jr. bankrolled a century ago, and they remain some of the finest walking surfaces in any national park. These broad, auto-free roads wind through dense spruce-fir forest, skirt the shores of Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond, and cross seventeen gorgeous stone-faced bridges that look like they belong in a European countryside. The grades are gentle and forgiving, rarely exceeding a modest incline, which means you can cover serious ground without punishing your knees. Mix and match with hiking trails to build custom loops — drop down from the Bubbles on a steep trail, then cruise back to your car on smooth carriage road. These paths are perfect for anyone who wants Acadia's scenery without Acadia's infamous rock scrambles, and for families who need a stroller-friendly option that still feels like a real adventure.
FamiliesCyclistsAccessibilityDog OwnersEasy Walking

Safety Advisory

Carriage roads are shared with cyclists who can come around blind curves at speed — stay to the right, keep dogs close, and listen for bike bells especially on downhill stretches near Eagle Lake and Day Mountain.

During spring mud season (typically March through mid-May), sections of carriage road close to prevent erosion damage to the gravel surface — check the park website before heading out or you may hit a gate.

Trail Details

Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type Out & Back
Pets Dogs allowed (leash required)
Season <p>Respect closures during spring mud season while underlying gravel remains vulnerable to ruts, potholes, and erosion.<br /> <br /> See <a href="https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/winteractivities.htm">Winter Activities</a> for information on carriage roads during the off season.</p>
Trailhead Hike Carriage Roads
Trail Tips
  1. 1

    Start at the Eagle Lake carriage road entrance off Route 233 before 8 AM in summer — you'll have the lake views largely to yourself before the cycling crowd arrives, and parking fills by mid-morning.

  2. 2

    Build a loop using the Around Mountain carriage road combined with the Jordan Pond Path for a roughly six-mile circuit that hits three stone bridges and ends at the Jordan Pond House, where you can refuel with their famous popovers.

  3. 3

    The intersections are numbered with carved wooden posts that correspond to the park's free carriage road map — grab one at the visitor center first, because GPS signal drops in the valleys and wrong turns can add miles fast.

Photos

Two people walking along a crushed gravel surfaced roadNPS

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Explore Acadia National Park

4 campgrounds, 158 trails, 4.0M annual visitors

View Park Guide