Acadia National Park

Hike Jordan Cliffs Loop

strenuous Summit BaggersExperienced HikersPhotographers
5 mi Distance
3-4 hours Estimated Time
roundtrip Trail Type

What to Expect

This loop wastes no time getting serious. You'll start with a forested approach that lulls you into thinking this is a normal Acadia hike, then the trail tilts sideways along the Jordan Cliffs — a narrow traverse across exposed granite with iron rungs bolted into the rock face. Your hands will be as busy as your feet. The climb up Sargent Mountain is relentless, all raw granite slabs and scrambling, but the summit delivers: a sprawling 360-degree panorama with Jordan Pond shimmering below like a postcard someone Photoshopped. You'll tag a second summit on the loop back down, making this a genuine two-for-one. The descent is steep but straightforward compared to the cliffs section. This trail is built for hikers who want to feel like they earned something — if iron rungs and exposure make your palms sweat in a good way, this is your trail.
Summit BaggersExperienced HikersPhotographersScramble LoversThrill Seekers

Safety Advisory

The iron rungs and cliff traverse are genuinely dangerous in wet conditions — rain turns the granite into a skating rink, and the rungs get slippery enough to compromise your grip. If there's any moisture in the forecast, pick a different trail.

This trail is closed periodically in spring and early summer to protect nesting peregrine falcons — check current conditions on the Acadia website before driving to the trailhead, or you'll be turning around at a closure sign.

Leave the dog at camp. The iron rungs, ladders, and exposed scrambles make this physically impossible for pets, and they're prohibited on the trail regardless.

Trail Details

Distance 5 miles round-trip
Difficulty strenuous
Estimated Time 3-4 hours
Trail Type roundtrip
Pets Not allowed
Season <p>This trail and associated trails are closed seasonally to public entry to protect peregrine falcons from inadvertent disturbance or harassment during the nesting period. Park staff has observed adults at these sites engaging in courtship and pre-nesting behavior signaling the birds’ intentions to nest and raise chicks during the spring and early summer. Check <a href="https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/conditions.htm">current conditions</a> for updates on trail closures before hiking.</p>
Trailhead Hike Jordan Cliffs Loop
Trail Tips
  1. 1

    Hike the loop clockwise so you ascend the iron rungs section rather than descending it — going down exposed metal rungs with tired legs and gravity pulling you forward is a recipe for a bad day.

  2. 2

    Start from the Jordan Pond House trailhead and time your finish for a post-hike popover at the restaurant — Acadia's famous popovers with butter and jam hit differently after three hours of scrambling.

  3. 3

    The traverse along Jordan Cliffs offers the best photography angle of Jordan Pond flanked by the Bubbles — pause at the overlook roughly a mile in before the rungs section gets too demanding to fiddle with a camera.

Photos

View from cliffs of forest and pond belowNPS

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Explore Acadia National Park

4 campgrounds, 158 trails, 4.0M annual visitors

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