Acadia National Park is one of those rare places that instantly slows your heart rate. The scent of spruce, the crash of Atlantic waves, the quiet curve of its rocky coves — everything invites you to breathe deeper, walk slower, and pay attention. On our recent summer trip to Mount Desert Island, we decided to focus on four easy day hikes that offered big scenery without demanding a strenuous climb. Each trail blended peaceful forest paths with classic Acadia coastline, and each one left us with that “I could stay here all day” feeling.

If you’re planning a visit and want low-effort, high-reward experiences, these four trails are perfect for families, beginners, or anyone who just wants to soak in Acadia’s beauty without rushing. Don’t forget to also check out our gear suggestions at the end of the article.

Jordan Pond Path

A calm lakeside loop with iconic mountain reflections

Jordan Pond Path is one of Acadia’s classic trails — peaceful, scenic, and full of postcard moments. The famous view of The Bubbles reflecting in the clear water alone is worth the trip. For a mostly flat loop, this hike offers a surprising variety of terrain: quiet forest, wooden boardwalks, stone bridges, and one boulder section that adds just the right bit of fun.

We went on the hike early in the morning, mostly to find parking. There is a large parking lot right off Park Loop Drive. We found that there were few people on the path at that time, so we were able to find some solitude in the heart of the busy park. The path is well maintained, including paved and compacted gravel sections of the trail. It is easy to do only part of the trail and create an out and back hike. We did the whole loop around Jordan pond and enjoyed the view and the changing terrain.

You can extend your visit to Jordan Pond by visiting Jordan Pond House Restaurant. The restaurant serves a variety of salads, sandwiches, and entrees. They are well known for their afternoon tea and popovers.

Quick Trail Info

Distance: 3.3-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 1.5–2 hours

Go early if you want calm water for photos — mornings here are magical.

Ocean Path Trail

Acadia’s most iconic shoreline walk — packed with landmarks and nonstop views

Ocean Path is the hike everyone tells you to do — but don’t let its popularity deter you. With the Atlantic on one side and towering pink granite cliffs on the other, this trail offers some of Acadia’s most dramatic scenery. You pass major landmarks like Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs, and the views never let up. You can access the trail at several points between Sand Beach and Otter Point. We parked at Sand Beach, and did a 3 mile, out and back, from there.

We took this hike later in the day, which provided some perfect photographs as the sun was starting to set and the colors were very warm. The path follows the coast with panoramic views of the cliffs and rock formations. The path is paved, but does experiences some slight elevation gain along the way. There are plenty of opportunities walk out on the rocks for different perspectives, places to rest and take everything in, or visit the famous Thunder Hole. We saw a few families doing photo shoots among the rocks and with the ocean background.

This is a great path for a family visit, casual stroll, or even a vigorous run. Since the path parallels Park Loop Road, there are many places for you to alter your hike.

Quick Trail Info

Distance: 4.4 miles round-trip (or shorter segments)
Difficulty: Easy, with some rocky areas
Time: 2–3 hours

If you only do one trail in Acadia, make it this one.

Ship Harbor Trail (to Wonderland Trail)

Short loop + classic Acadia scenery = a perfect hour in the park

Ship Harbor Trail packs a surprising punch for such a short, easy loop. You get classic Acadia vistas — tidal pools, rugged granite slabs, wind-shaped evergreens, and wide-open views of Blue Hill Bay. It’s incredibly photogenic and one of the best quick hikes on the west side of the island.

We planned our trip around low tide so that we could visit some of the tide pools. They weren’t the best we have ever visited, but we also read on the National Park Service website how tide pool ecosystems are changing as result of climate change. Either way, we still enjoyed the hike. It was also foggy the day we visited which may have limited what we saw.

Ship Harbor trail can be done as short loop hike. You can also make it a larger loop, like we did, and follow the coast and pick up the Wonderland Trail and take it back to the parking areas along Seawall Road (Route 102A). If you do this, just know that you will have some small rock scrambles along the coast and then have to walk back to your parking along the road. We found the rock scrambles fun and the road was quiet and safe. This made our loop about 4 miles in total and we got to see different landscapes on this side of the island.

Quick Trail Info

Distance: 3 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

If you want a quintessential Acadia coastline experience without the crowds of Ocean Path, this is your hike.

Lower Harbor Trail

Quiet, peaceful, and tucked away on the “quiet side” of Acadia National Park.

Lower Harbor Trail is one of those hidden gems that reminds you why the quiet side of the park, Schoodic Peninsula, lives up to the name. This short forest trail brings you through soft, moss-covered ground, passing under tall spruce and fir before opening to a calm, reflective inlet. It’s not a dramatic coastline — it’s softer, quieter, and incredibly peaceful.

After parking at the Schoodic Woods Ranger Station, we found this trail to be a more tranquil walk, with no crowds. We only passed one or two other couples on our hike. As you travel the trail, you switch back and forth between a wooded path and views of the adjacent waterways. We visited the trial in the morning and found it to be a good way to start the day.

From the parking lot, you can make this trail an out and back hike. You can also make it into a loop by connecting with Frazer Creek Bike Loop and following it back to the parking area. We did this and enjoyed it. Just know the there is little shade on some sections of the bike loop, so be ready for the sun.

In general, we really liked this hike as a quick leg stretcher and a first stop on the beautiful Schoodic Peninsula.

Quick Trail Info

Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour

This is a perfect trail to start your trip: calm, grounding, and quietly beautiful.

We will post more about how we planned out trip to Acadia, including where we stayed, ate, and did some puffin viewing. In the meantime, check out some of the gear we suggest and used on our day hikes. (Some links may earn us commission.)

Gear we suggest

Some links may earn us commission.

1. Best Easy Day Hikes: Acadia National Park: We love Falcon hiking guides and purchase them for every national park we visit. The guide provides great suggestions for a variety of hikes and details all about the trail and what you may see along the way. Best of all, the books are small enough to fit in your day pack. We usually also purchase a National Geographic Park Map too.
2. Acadia National Park: The Complete Guide: is also a great planning tool. We have two books by James Kaiser. The guide explains the history, natural and human, of the island, suggests hikes and places to visit, and describes local wildlife. A great resource for planning or to carry along on your visit.
3. Osprey Daylite Pack: This is a great daypack. Osprey has a variety of styles. It has enough room to pack you water bottle, cameras, binoculars, and snacks. It can be small enough to pack down into a bigger suitcase.
4. Hydroflask Lightweight Trail Series bottle: This bottle is light enough to not weigh down your pack, but big enough to keep you hydrated. It fits well in the side pocket of your daypack or packs into your bag.