Acadia National Park · Maine

Beehive Trail

0.7 mi of trail, end to end · Hike Beehive Loop: 1.4 mi loop in the Service's write-up · about 350 ft of climbing · 187 ft–529 ft · earth surface

187 ft 529 ft · 0.2 mi high 529 ft

Hike Beehive Loop 1.4 mi loop · the Park Service's write-up

1-3 Hours · no dogs · Spring, Summer, Fall

Start The Beehive

person climbing up rocks with a ocean view in the distance

If you are searching for an adventurous hike with a spectacular view, look no further than the Beehive loop. One of Acadia's famous rung and ladder trails, Beehive Loop is a great way to get acquainted with these difficult trails. If choosing this hike, expect steep granite staircases, iron rungs, and exposed cliff faces. As one of the parks most trafficked trails, people challenge their bodies and minds as they ascend this 450ft cliff trail and are rewarded with stunning views over Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the Gulf of Maine stretching to the horizon.

Distance:1.4 miles round trip. Duration of hikes depend on your pace and if you stop and enjoy scenic areas. For an average pace, this hike takes 1 to 3 hours.

Safety:The trail is rocky and uneven. The first part of this trail ascends a 450-ft cliff with exposed edges. Steep drop offs with no railings require secure footings. Good foot wear is recommended.This trail is very dangerous in inclement weather. During rain events granite becomes extremely slippery. Allowing the rocks to dry provides a safer ascent.

Pets Pets are not permitted on rung and ladder trails in Acadia National Park.

Accessibility The Beehive Loop is not accessible. The trail involves granite stairs, iron rungs, and rock scrambling. There is accessible parking at the Sand Beach parking areas as well as accessible restrooms.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 219 trails in Acadia National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.