Jesup Path
Hike Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop 1.5 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up
30-60 Minutes · dogs allowed
Start Sieur de Monts Nature Center
The Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop consists of two mostly level trails creating a figure-8. Starting at historic Sieur de Monts, this trail provides a walk through a hemlock and birch forest, a section of the Great Meadow wetland and provides breathtaking views of Dorr Mountain.
Birdwatching, photography, and dog walking are common activities along this trail. It is used routinely by people with mobility limitations and families with small children.
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Terrain: Compact, flat trail. Wooden boardwalk with benches and pullouts, wide, gravel fire road.
The fare-free Island Explorer serves this destination. Buses drop off and pick up at regular intervals throughout the day at a designated stop located at the edge of the parking lot. An electronic digital display notes scheduled bus arrival times.
Hike Description
Start the hike just before the entrance to the Wild Gardens of Acadia at Sieur de Monts. A wooden footbridge provides access to the Jesup Path.
Follow the path as it crosses Hemlock Path, and continue straight onto the boardwalk.
The boardwalk runs through a boggy, white birch forest. There are interpretive waysides and benches along the way.
As the boardwalk ends, the trail crosses Hemlock Path again. Continue through the Great Meadow, finally ending at the Park Loop Road.
Cross the Park Loop Road, and turn right onto the Great Meadow Loop. Use caution when crossing the Park Loop Road as there are no crosswalks.
At the next trail junction, turn right and cross back over the Park Loop Road onto Hemlock Path.
Follow Hemlock Path back into the Great Meadow, past the boardwalk, and through a forest of hemlocks.
The path leads back to Sieur de Monts parking lot.
.
Additional Descriptions:
Jesup Path
Hemlock Path
Accessibility The Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop is mostly accessible. Both trails are mostly level. The boardwalk is wide enough for a single wheelchair. There are accessible bathrooms across the parking lot from the trailhead.
Hike Sieur de Monts to Jesup Path with Island Explorer Bus 1.5 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up
1-2 Hours · dogs allowed · Spring, Summer, Fall
Start Sieur de Monts to Jesup Path and Hemlock Road Loop
The Jesup Path and Hemlock Road Loop consists of two mostly level trail consisting of boardwalk and compressed crushed gravel creating a figure-8 for a 1.5-mile round trip hike made possible by the Island Explorer Bus. The loop runs through stands of white birch and hemlock and into the Great Meadow beyond Sieur de Monts. The hike offers benches and pullouts with views of Dorr Mountain interspersed in this walk. Great for families, kids, and wheel-chair accessible. Restrooms available.
This hike provides a tranquil stroll in a wooded area of the park accessible by almost anyone. Accessing the starting point of this trail by the Island Explorer is relatively easy since the Sieur de Monts drop off point is one of the first stops from the Hulls Cove Visitors Center. Additionally, the starting and ending point of this walk use the same bus location, making this hike easy to navigate. Before starting the walk, visitors can explore the heart of Acadia at Sieur de Monts, by checking out the exhibits and talking to a ranger at the Nature Center and viewing the Sieur de Monts Spring, the original Abbe Museum structure, the George B. Dorr Memorial, and the Wild Gardens of Acadia. This is also an excellent spot for birdwatching. Open, grassy fields beside the Nature Center are ideal for young children to run and play.
Sieur de Monts, often referred to as the "Heart of Acadia." Includes Sieur de Monts Spring and spring house, Nature Center, Wild Gardens of Acadia, Abbe Museum(closed), the tarn, Great Meadow Wetland, and access to multiple historic memorial paths. It is the first major stopping point along the Park Loop Road. At Sieur de Monts you can learn the natural and cultural history of Acadia through interpretive signs and hike trails of various lengths and difficulty and enjoy birdwatching. In the summer months you can speak with park staff at the Nature Center. This area serves as a memorial to George Dorr for his work toward the creation of the park and his direction from 1916–1944 as its first superintendent.
Accessibility The Jesup Path boardwalk is a 3-foot-wide wooden boardwalk with benches and pullouts running through a wetland area. The Jesup Path boardwalk is 3 foot wide and accessible. Great for familiesand kids.
Hike Sieur de Monts to Sand Beach Trek with Island Explorer the Park Service's write-up
2-4 Hours · dogs allowed · Spring, Summer, Fall
Start Sieur de Monts to Sand Beach
The trek from Sieur de Monts to Sand beach connects four trails and summits Champlain Mountain for a 4.1-mile hike made possible by the Island Explorer Bus. The trails take hikers up a strenuous climb to a mountain summit with breathtaking views, through woodlands and past lakes and ponds while starting and ending at popular destinations with even more to explore.
Hiking from Sieur de Monts to Sand Beach is a predominantly strenuous climb with great reward. Before starting the trek, visitors can explore the heart of Acadia at Sieur de Monts, meandering on historic paths, past historical buildings or checking out the exhibits and talking to a ranger at the Nature Center.
Summiting Champlain Mountain will be a tough 1.2 mile climb up 900 feet, but the views on the way and at the top stretch for miles in all directions, overlooking mountains, lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. The more gradual decent will continue to treat hikers to sweeping views. The daring can take a dip in Acadia’s second highest lake/pond, The Bowl, or simply enjoy the calm along the shores.
Hikers can choose to end their hike at Sand Beach where many enjoy swimming in the cold Atlantic waters. For anyone who still hasn’t gotten enough, this trek intersects with several other trails like Gorham Mountain and the Ocean Path that offer extension further south and to more bus stops.
The start and end of this trek is along the Park’s scenic loop road and the number 4 Loop Road bus (the primary bus for this section) will continue to other popular destinations like Jordan Pond. Visitors wanting to explore more should check out other popular and scenic trails at locations along the Park Loop Road.
Accessibility The first .3 miles from Sieur de Monts is a narrow trail through the woods with rocks and roots but no elevation gain. The 1.2 mile climb up the Beachcroft Trail is strenuous with 900 feet of elevation gain across stone steps and granite slabs. The last 2.5 miles is a more gradual downhill along Champlain South Ridge Trail and the Bowl Trail along granite slabs, rocks, roots and steps back down 900 feet in elevation.
Hike Village Green to Sieur de Monts with Island Explorer Bus the Park Service's write-up
1-1 Hours · dogs allowed · Spring, Summer, Fall
Start Hike Village Green to Sieur de Monts with Island Explorer Bus
This hike starts in downtown Bar Harbor within walking distance to many hotels and other lodgings. It is a great alternative to driving into the park with gorgeous views of the Great Meadow and the mountains beyond.
If you are staying in Bar Harbor and want to stretch your legs by walking into Acadia, this hike is a wonderful alternative to driving. It begins in the middle of Bar Harbor at the Village Green, crosses through neighborhoods, and soon reaches the boundary of the park. The trail crosses the Great Meadow, the largest freshwater wetland in Acadia, and traverses a boardwalk which is a popular area for bird watching. It ends at Sieur de Monts, an area that includes the Nature Center, the Wild Garden and an Island Explorer bus stop that can take visitors to sought-after sites in the park or return them back to Bar Harbor.
Accessibility The Jesup Path boardwalk is a 3-foot-wide wooden boardwalk with benches and pullouts running through a wetland area. The Jesup Path boardwalk is 3 foot wide and accessible.