Acadia National Park
Hike Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop
FamiliesWheelchair UsersBirders
1.5 mi Distance
60 min Estimated Time
roundtrip Trail Type
What to Expect
This is Acadia's gentle side — a flat, shaded wander through birch and hemlock forest that feels worlds away from the granite scrambles the park is famous for. You'll start on packed gravel, transition onto a boardwalk threaded through dense conifers, and eventually emerge into the Great Meadow, where Dorr Mountain fills the sky ahead of you. Interpretive signs along the boardwalk section give you reasons to pause, and strategically placed benches let you actually enjoy them. The figure-eight layout means you can cut it short or do the full loop without retracing your steps. The whole thing is wheelchair-accessible and stroller-friendly, which is rare for Acadia. This is the trail for anyone who wants to be in the woods without earning it through suffering — perfect for decompressing after a harder summit day or for families with little ones who just want to walk among trees.
Trail Details
Distance 1.5 miles round-trip
Estimated Time 60 min
Trail Type roundtrip
Pets Dogs allowed (leash required)
Season Year-round
Trailhead Hike Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Park at Sieur de Monts and start from the Nature Center trailhead — you can combine this with a quick visit to the Wild Gardens of Acadia right next door, which adds botanical context to everything you'll see on the boardwalk.
Trail Tip
The Island Explorer shuttle (Sand Beach line) stops at Sieur de Monts, so you can skip the parking headache entirely during peak summer. The lot fills by mid-morning in July and August.
Trail Tip
Walk the loop counter-clockwise to save the boardwalk section for the second half — the hemlock canopy creates the best light for photography in the late afternoon when sun filters sideways through the trees.
Photos
NPS
