Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail

This trail, with an open ascent, features beautiful views of Frenchman Bay.

Plan Around Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail

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Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail Details

Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail is often connected with Gorge Path for a good loop up and down the mountain. The trail follows Cadillac's north ridge over gentle, open ledges before it climbs steadily, often near the automobile road, to the summit. Both sides of the ridge are often visible, as are good views toward Bar Harbor. If you hike to the summit, you will need to hike back down as shuttle buses do not run from the top. Choose your timing wisely, as hiking on the Cadillac trails becomes very difficult during rain storms because the smooth granite faces become slick like sheets of ice. Weather on the summit is usually colder and windier than other lower parts of Acadia, so dress appropriately. Be sure to walk only on designated trails and on granite surfaces to avoid trampling slow-growing sub-alpine plants. Help protect the historic Bates cairn trail markers by not adding rock pile graffiti to them. Trailhead: 3.2 miles from the start of the loop road.

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

2.2 miles

Estimated time

90 minutes

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail

Compare nearby parks around Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

2.3 mi away

Acadia

National Park · ME

104.8 mi away

Baxter

National Park · ME

196.4 mi away

Cape Cod

National Park · MA

639.7 mi away

Shenandoah

National Park · VA

708.0 mi away

Cuyahoga

National Park · OH

967.6 mi away

Indiana Dunes

National Park · IN

Nearby Points of Interest Around Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail while the map context is still fresh.

0.0 mi away

North Ridge

The Island Explorer operates on Mount Desert Island June 23 through October 11, 2021. Fall service begins the last week in August.

0.0 mi away

Porcupine Islands Overlook

A wonderful place to view the Porcupine Islands that dot Frenchman Bay.

0.4 mi away

1947 Fire Overlook

In 1947, fire destroyed thousands of acres of park land. View traces of the fire from this overlook.

0.5 mi away

Kebo Mountain Trail

This trail provides some of the island's most rewarding and immediate vistas.

0.6 mi away

Gorge Path

Fairly strenuous, but also one of the most outstanding hikes in the Park.