Wild Gardens of Acadia
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.