Mansell Mountain Trail

This moderate hike traverses a loop through the forest before ascending Beech Mountain, providing visitors with access to a fire tower and views of Long Pond, Mansell Mountain, and the west side of Mount Desert Island. This hike is also a good sunset option, but carry appropriate gear and headlamps when hiking at dusk and dark.

Distance: 2.1 miles round trip

Terrain: Forested path, rocky trails, granite stairs and slopes, wooden steps

Hike Description

The loop begins from the Beech Mountain parking lot, on the northwest side of the lot.

At the first junction, stay right to follow the longer path to the summit.

The trail begins as a gradual forested path, however, as elevation increases, the trail becomes rockier.

The trail opens up at .5 miles to granite slabs which provide sweeping views of Long Pond and Mansell Mountain. This is a popular spot to watch the sunset.

After .1 miles, keep left at the intersection towards Beech Mountain summit. The trail will feature granite and wooden steps to the summit.

At the next intersection, just below the fire tower, keep right to access the summit and fire tower. The first platform of the fire tower is open and provides views of Somes Sound, Echo Lake, Acadia Mountain, and other mountains on the east side of the Mount Desert Island.

Follow blue blazes to the right of the granite to begin the Beech Mountain South Ridge Trail.

The trail descends down a few sections of granite slope before becoming a forested path with stone stairs down the mountain. This section of trail is not recommended in wet weather.

After .8 miles, keep left at the Valley Trail intersection to return to the Beech Mountain Parking Area.

Follow the trail .8 miles back to the parking lot. This section of trail is flat and mainly smooth, forested path, with a few stone steps.

A short, moderate loop on the west side of Mount Desert Island, Beech Mountain Trail provides hikers with views of Long Pond and Mansell Mountain on the way up and access to one of the few remaining fire towers in the area. This hike is also a good sunset option, but carry appropriate gear and headlamps when hiking at dusk and dark.

Distance: 1.2 miles round trip

Terrain: Forested path, rocky trails, granite stairs and slopes, wooden steps

Hike Description

The loop begins from the Beech Mountain parking lot, on the northwest side of the lot.

At the first junction, stay right to follow the longer path to the summit.

The trail begins as a gradual forested path, however, as elevation increases, the trail becomes rockier.

The trail opens up at .5 miles to granite slabs which provide sweeping views of Long Pond and Mansell Mountain. This is a popular spot to watch the sunset.

After .1 miles, keep left at the intersection towards Beech Mountain summit. The trail will feature granite and wooden steps to the summit.

At the next intersection, just below the fire tower, keep right to access the summit and fire tower. The first platform of the fire tower is open and provides views of Somes Sound, Echo Lake, Acadia Mountain, and other mountains on the east side of the Mount Desert Island.

Retrace to the intersection just below the summit, stay straight and follow the sign showing .4 miles to the Beech Mountain Parking Area.

This trail contains multiple steep granite slopes before descending into the woods. This section of trail is not recommended in wet weather.

Follow the trail down a quick, steep rocky section. At next intersection, follow the trail back to the parking lot.

The Perpendicular and Razorback Loop features a steep hike up to the summit of Mansell Mountain on the west side of Mount Desert Island. Although the trail and summit are mostly wooded, it is a quieter, strenuous hiking opportunity. The Perpendicular Trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1933 to 1934. Flat boulders were laid end-to-end to form an easier walking path over the talus slope and rock steps were also added. The crew covered stones with moss and planted ferns to help them blend with their natural surroundings.

Distance: 2.7 miles round trip

Terrain: Forested paths, granite staircase, rocky trails, and rooted paths

NOTE: Pets are prohibited on the Perpendicular Trail (Mansell Mountain) since there are many steep sections, stairs, iron rungs, and a ladder.

Hike Description

The hike starts on the Long Pond Trail, located at the far end of the parking lot.

Walk .2 miles before reaching the junction of the Perpendicular Trail.

Over 300 cut granite steps, a few iron rungs and a small ladder allows hikers to ascend steep slope of Mansell Mountain. There are a few views of Long Pond between the trees.

Just before the trail turns away from the face, there is a short spur trail to an overlook of Beech Mountain, Long Pond and the outlying islands.

The trail levels off in the woods before reaching the summit of Mansell Mountain. There are no views from the summit.

Descend past the junction for the Mansell Mountain Trail before ending at the Razorback Trail.

Turn left (south) on the Razorback Trail. The trail provides great views as it steeply descends along the ridge before entering the forest and ending at the Gilley Trail.

Turn left on the Cold Brook Trail and continue onto the Long Pond Trail before ending at the parking lot.

The Western Mountain Loop travels through forest and up summits over a series of trails on the west side of Mount Desert Island. Although there are not many views, it is a challenging hike with hundreds of cut stone steps on the historic Perpendicular Trail and other steep sections along the way. Western Mountain collectively refers to Mansell Mountain and Bernard Mountain.

Distance: 3.8 miles round trip

Terrain: Forested paths, granite staircase, rocky trails, and rooted paths

Hike Description

Begin from the parking area/boat launch located at the end of the Long Pond Road in Southwest Harbor.

The hike starts on the Long Pond Trail, located at the west end of the parking area, behind a building.

Walk 0.2 miles before reaching the second trail junction, where you will turn left onto of the Perpendicular Trail.

A few iron rungs, a small ladder, and over 300 cut granite steps allow hikers to ascend the steep slope of Mansell Mountain. There are a few views of Long Pond between the trees.

Just before the trail turns away from the face, there is a short spur trail to an overlook of Beech Mountain, Long Pond and the outlying islands.

The trail levels off in the woods before reaching the summit of Mansell Mountain. There are no views from the summit.

Continue past the summit on the Mansell Mountain Trail. At the next junction, turn right (north) on the Razorback Trail.

Bear right at the next intersection to remain on the Razorback Trail to Great Notch.

At the intersection with the Great Notch Trail, continue straight onto Bernard Mountain Trail. Follow this for 0.4 miles, steeply climbing up the side of the mountain over cliffs and tree roots.

Pass the summit of Knight Nubble.

At the junction with the Sluiceway Trail (Little Notch), continue straight and additional 0.2 miles to reach the summit of Bernard Mountain. Although rising to 1,071 ft, the summit is mostly wooded with minimal views. Return back down to the trail junction.

Turn right and descend on the Sluiceway Trail for 0.5 miles.

At the junction with the Gilley Trail, turn left.

Shortly afterward, at the intersection with the Great Notch Trail, turn right and continue the descent. Stay right at the intersections with the Razorback and Mansell Mountain Trails and you will eventually come to the trailhead at Gilley Field parking.

Cross the parking area to continue straight on Cold Brook Trail back to the parking lot at the south end of Long Pond.