Great Head Trail
A great family hike with wonderful spots for picnics and watching marine life.
Plan Around Great Head Trail
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Great Head Trail Details
Great Head Trail begins on the eastern end of Sand Beach and winds around the perimeter of Great Head's rocky peninsula before circling back. The mostly level path crosses sea-grass-laced sand dunes to a tidal pool where, on clear days, there is a reflection of the Beehive and the surrounding forest before it continues climbing up a series of steep steps along pink granite cliffs to the top of Great Head. This trail is great for families and the end of the peninsula is a wonderful spot for picnics and watching marine life play in the surf. The highest point of the granite and basalt peninsula is home to the stone foundation of an old teahouse, a present from J.P. Morgan to his daughter, that was destroyed by the fire of 1947. Trailhead: East end of Sand Beach.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
1.7 miles
Estimated time
60 min
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Great Head Trail
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Great Head Trail
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0.1 mi away
Sand Beach
A scenic beach nestled between the mountains and rocky shores on the east side of Mount Desert Island.
0.1 mi away
Sand Beach
A popular beach where visitors can swim, but beware, the waters are icy cold, even in summer.
0.1 mi away
Sand Beach
Sand Beach is inviting for sunbathers, but swimmers should be aware that the ocean temperature here is chilly even at the height of summer.
0.1 mi away
Sand Beach
The Island Explorer operates on Mount Desert Island June 23 through October 11, 2021. Fall service begins the last week in August.
0.1 mi away
Great Head
The seaside Great Head is only 145 feet high, but it nonetheless has its own summit elevation marker.
