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Great Head Trail Acadia National Park

4.8
·81 reviews·Bar Harbor, United States

A moderate 1.8-mile loop in Acadia National Park, offering stunning coastal views and fun rock scrambles.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early morning

Fewer crowds, better light

CrowdLow
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Great Head Trail - Image 1

Great Head Trail Acadia National Park

Best Time

Early morning

Fewer crowds, better light

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A moderate 1.8-mile loop in Acadia National Park, offering stunning coastal views and fun rock scrambles.

4.8
(81 reviews)

"This is the best hike I've ever done. It had everything: a sandy beach, rocky shores, forests, beautiful ocean views, and lots of scrambling!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Parking Strategy

Sand Beach parking is limited. Explore the Great Head Trail from the beach to escape crowds. :car:

🥾 Footwear is Key

Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support for the rocky and technical terrain. :athletic_shoe:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Coastal Vistas

Coastal Vistas

Along the trail

Experience breathtaking ocean views and dramatic cliffside scenery that will leave you in awe.

Instagram+1
Rocky Shoreline Scrambles

Rocky Shoreline Scrambles

Trail sections

Enjoy the fun challenge of navigating rocky paths and scrambling over boulders.

InstagramReddit
Sand Beach Access

Sand Beach Access

Trailhead/End

Start or end your hike with access to the beautiful, albeit chilly, Sand Beach.

InstagramReddit
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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds at Sand Beach

Sand Beach parking fills up fast! Consider parking further away and walking, or explore the Great Head Trail from the beach to find fewer people and stunning coastal views. Instagram

Trail Difficulty & Mobility

While often described as moderate, the Great Head Trail involves steep rocks and technical sections. It's best suited for those with good mobility and not recommended for very young children. InstagramReddit

Best Times

When
Early morning
Why
Fewer crowds, better light
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Golden hour views
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

#greatheadtrail We have some #wood for you @Thoren Bradley @Rock The Park #hike #acadianationalpark #great #hikeacadia #nationalpark #Summer #maine #hamptons #daddy
@acadianationalparkgoat
40K likes • 257.3K views

🚗 Parking Strategy

Sand Beach parking is limited. Explore the Great Head Trail from the beach to escape crowds. Instagram :car:

🥾 Footwear is Key

Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support for the rocky and technical terrain. InstagramReddit :athletic_shoe:

Take me back🏔️ #barharbor #barharbormaine #cadillac #cadillacmountain #sunrise #Hiking #springbreak #escape #freshair
@johannahleecreative
34.3K likes • 351.2K views
Great Head Trail, Acadia National Park
kristenmariecox
169 likes • 3.8K views

🐶 Dog-Friendly Trail

Leashed dogs are welcome on the Great Head Trail, making it a great option for pet owners. Instagram :dog:

➡️ Hike Clockwise

For a potentially more enjoyable experience, consider hiking the loop clockwise. Instagram :arrow_forward:

🥾What makes a perfect hike for me? It needs to have views (a reward), I like for it to be moderately challenging, but doable and safe. This hike fit that for me. 📍Great Head Trail is from Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. It is a 1.9-mile trail that can be shortened. 🪨It is a moderate trail that is worth the few rock scrambles. The views are spectacular and it is not as dangerous as the popul...
travelmakingmemories
13 likes • 582 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Parking Strategy

Sand Beach parking is limited. Explore the Great Head Trail from the beach to escape crowds. Instagram :car:

🥾 Footwear is Key

Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support for the rocky and technical terrain. InstagramReddit :athletic_shoe:

🐶 Dog-Friendly Trail

Leashed dogs are welcome on the Great Head Trail, making it a great option for pet owners. Instagram :dog:

➡️ Hike Clockwise

For a potentially more enjoyable experience, consider hiking the loop clockwise. Instagram :arrow_forward:

What Travellers Say

4.8
(81 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about the Great Head Trail's stunning coastal views and fun, rocky terrain, calling it one of the best hikes. While generally moderate, some find the technical sections challenging, especially for younger children. Parking at Sand Beach can be a significant hurdle.

"A very beautiful trail with some really amazing views. The trail via sandy beach is a short one but it has some inclines and rocky patches which makes it moderately difficult. The views from the top are worth every difficulty. Parking is small but the right side of the road is permitted parking. The Sandy beach is also nice, however water is cold most of the months except summer. Must visit point in Acadia."

Pratik Bhatt

"Great trail! Definitely lots of steep rocks, cliff views and climbing spots, I wouldn’t recommend it for kids under 6. But overall beautiful views and very scenic"

H Lynn

"Great trail loop with a small parking, some parts of the trail are quite technical and will require full ankle, knee and hip mobility but the declivity is minimal and is great for all ages and hiker category.

On sunny days the view of the coastline is great and offers glimpses of the sand beach nearby. I recommend this trail"

Mr Blue

What People Like

Spectacular ocean views
Rocky shoreline scrambles
Dog-friendly trail

What People Dislike

Limited parking
Technical sections

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Great Head Trail is accessible from Sand Beach within Acadia National Park. Parking at Sand Beach can be challenging, especially during peak season. Some visitors recommend parking further away and walking, or accessing the trail directly from the beach. Instagram+1

Yes, there is a small parking area near Sand Beach that serves as a trailhead for the Great Head Trail. However, it fills up quickly. Street parking is also permitted on the right side of the road. Reddit

While you can bike to Acadia National Park via the carriage roads, the Great Head Trail itself is a hiking trail and not suitable for biking. Reddit

To avoid the crowds at Sand Beach, consider hiking the Great Head Trail, which offers fewer people and beautiful ocean views. You can still access the beach from the trail. Instagram

Acadia National Park offers a seasonal Island Explorer shuttle service that stops at various points, including Sand Beach, which is near the Great Head Trail. Check their schedule for operating dates and routes. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Yes, a valid Acadia National Park entrance pass is required for all visitors. You can purchase passes online or at park entrance stations. TikTok

Acadia National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. However, facilities and services may have seasonal hours. The Great Head Trail is accessible whenever the park is open. TikTok

There is no separate fee for the Great Head Trail itself. The fee is for entry into Acadia National Park, which covers all trails and areas within the park. TikTok

Yes, it is highly recommended to purchase your Acadia National Park pass in advance online to save time and ensure entry, especially during busy periods. TikTok

Acadia National Park offers various pass options, including annual passes and lifetime passes for seniors and military personnel. Check the official NPS website for current pricing and eligibility. TikTok

🎫 🥾 Onsite Experience

The Great Head Trail is generally considered moderate, with some steep inclines and rocky sections that require good mobility and balance. It's not recommended for very young children or those with limited mobility. InstagramReddit+1

The Great Head Trail is approximately a 1.8 to 1.9-mile loop, making it a relatively short but rewarding hike. Instagram+2

You can expect stunning panoramic views of the coastline, the Atlantic Ocean, and glimpses of Sand Beach. The trail also features rocky shores and forested areas. Instagram+2

Due to the steep rocks and technical sections, the Great Head Trail is not recommended for children under 6 years old. Parents should exercise caution with younger children. Reddit

Yes, you can access Sand Beach from the Great Head Trail. However, the water is quite cold for most of the year, except during the summer months. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The rocky outcrops along the coastline offer the most dramatic photo opportunities with the ocean as a backdrop. The views from higher points on the trail are also spectacular. Instagram+1

The trail offers beautiful light for photography during both sunrise and sunset. The coastal views are particularly stunning during the golden hours. TikTok

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive coastal scenery. Consider a polarizing filter to enhance the ocean colors and reduce glare. Instagram

The entire trail offers scenic viewpoints, but the rocky sections overlooking the ocean are particularly noteworthy. There isn't one single designated viewpoint, but rather continuous beauty. Instagram

Drone usage is restricted in Acadia National Park to protect wildlife and visitor experience. Always check the latest NPS regulations before flying a drone. TikTok

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

While the Great Head Trail offers stunning views, it's important to note that it's not ideal for very young children. The trail involves steep rocks and technical sections, making it challenging and potentially unsafe for kids under 6. Reddit If you're visiting with younger children, consider shorter, flatter trails in Acadia or focus on enjoying Sand Beach itself. For families with older, more adventurous children who have good mobility, the trail can be a fun and rewarding experience. Instagram

🐶 Dog Owners

The Great Head Trail is a fantastic option for dog owners visiting Acadia National Park, as dogs are permitted on leash. Instagram This allows you to bring your furry companion along to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery and the moderate hiking challenge. Remember to always keep your dog leashed and clean up after them to help preserve the park's natural beauty. Instagram

🚶‍♀️ Solo Travelers

The Great Head Trail is a great choice for solo travelers looking for a scenic and moderately challenging hike. The well-defined path and the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking ocean views make it a fulfilling solo adventure. Instagram+1 The trail's popularity means you'll likely encounter other hikers, providing a sense of safety, but it also offers plenty of moments for quiet contemplation of the natural beauty. Instagram

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Navigating the Great Head Trail

The Great Head Trail is a popular moderate loop in Acadia National Park, offering a fantastic blend of coastal scenery and a bit of a challenge. The trail is approximately 1.8 to 1.9 miles long and is known for its rocky terrain and steep sections, making it a fun scramble for many hikers. Instagram+1 It's important to wear sturdy footwear with good ankle support, as the path involves navigating over boulders and uneven surfaces. InstagramReddit

One of the key advantages of the Great Head Trail is its proximity to Sand Beach. While Sand Beach itself can get very crowded, the Great Head Trail provides an excellent opportunity to experience the coastline with fewer people. Instagram Many visitors find that hiking the loop clockwise offers a more enjoyable experience. Instagram

This trail is a great option for those looking for moderate hikes that still provide significant scenic rewards. The ocean views are consistently breathtaking, and the chance to explore rocky shores adds to the adventure. Instagram+1 It's a well-rounded hike that showcases the diverse beauty of Acadia National Park.

Experiencing Acadia's Coastline

Acadia National Park is renowned for its rugged and beautiful coastline, and the Great Head Trail offers a prime vantage point to experience it. The trail hugs the shoreline, providing dramatic cliffside views and the constant sound of the Atlantic Ocean. Instagram Visitors often describe the scenery as "gorgeous" and "amazing," with opportunities to see the nearby Sand Beach from a different perspective. TikTokReddit

The trail's varied terrain, including rocky shores and forest paths, adds to the immersive coastal experience. You might even find spots to sit on the rocks and simply admire the vastness of the ocean. Reddit The chilly Atlantic waters are also accessible from Sand Beach, offering a refreshing dip for the brave during warmer months. Reddit

For photographers, the Great Head Trail presents numerous opportunities to capture the essence of Maine's coast. The interplay of light on the water, the rugged rock formations, and the expansive ocean vistas make it a visually rewarding hike. Instagram+1

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