Ocean Path Trail, Maine
Total Distance: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 375 feet
Trail Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
The Hike: Acadia National Park is known for its beautifully jagged shorelines and rock covered beaches – and this trail allows you to take in some of the best sites of the iconic landscape found in the park.
The Ocean Path is a 2.2 mile (each way) trail, that is family friendly and a must-do for anyone visiting the park (the hike could almost be considered more of a leisurely stroll). The trail truly is the best way to get up close and personal with Acadia’s famous ocean-side views. The path is partially paved, and the unpaved sections are covered in smooth dirt. The trail allows hikers to take shorter spur trails down to beaches, and along the famous Otter Cliffs, as well as some of the park’s biggest attractions, such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Monument Cove.
The trail is incredibly accessible with multiple access points and large parking lots along the route, which means you can hike as much or as little of the trail as you’d like.
The Details: The official start of the Ocean Path is at Sand Beach, so if hiking the entire trail, we recommended starting here. The parking lot for Sand Beach is located along Park Loop Road, and is about a half mile south of the park entrance station. From the parking lot, take the stairs down to Sand Beach, then follow the trail to the right as it traverses along the coastline.
From Sand Beach, Thunder Hole is .9 miles, Monument Cave is 1.2 miles, and Otter Point is 2.2 miles.
Once finished, retrace your steps back to your car.
Gear: For this hike, we recommend bringing along either the Winter or Summer Day Hike Essentials, depending on the season. Micro-spikes are strongly advised in the winter.
*The information in this article is for planning purposes only. Actual trail conditions may vary depending on environmental factors. It is always advised to get the latest trail information from a park office or ranger before you begin your hike.