Acadia National Park
Beehive Trail

One of my favorite trails, although I have not hiked every trail in the Park, is Beehive. The reason I like it is that it offers many spectacular views and the trail up the East face is exhilarating or some might say scary. As such it is not a trail for the very young, my son and I climbed it safely when he was 12 years old. And, it is not a trail to attempt with a pet. I am not real good with heights but had no problem from that respect, sure a few places made my heart pump a little faster than normal but that is part of what makes this so much fun. Go for it!

Beehive is actually very similar to The Precipice - considered by most to be the most difficult climb on the island. While I have never climbed The Precipice I hiked Beehive at the age of 55. I tell you this because I don't want to discourage older folks from climbing this trail - you can do it if you are in reasonably good shape, take your time and wear good shoes and bring water. If you have any doubts it might be wise to check with your doctor before coming to Acadia to be sure you can take on a hike like this - it is well worth the effort.

You can climb the back side of the Beehive by turning left at the trailhead instead of going to the right, up the East face of the mountain. This is a more gradual climb and is no where near as exhilarating or demanding - you will be traveling against the "traffic" but the trail is wide enough to allow easy passage in most areas.

If at all possible get to the top of Beehive during your visit and plan to spend several hours doing it and stay at the top for awhile and "soak up" the beauty all around!

Beehive can be seen easily from the Sand Beach on the Park Loop Road. It rises to 542 feet above sea level and is approximately a 2 mile hike that is rated "difficult" in most guide books. That means take it seriously and be properly prepared before starting up the trail. Good shoes, water, sunscreen, hat, binoculars and camera are what I recommend. You may want a little extra clothing, depending on the time of year or the weather conditions at the time - it can be 10 degrees cooler at the top and the wind can also be a cooling factor so make sure you consider all these factors.

Here you can see why you do not want to bring a dog or real young children. There are many places where you will be climbing iron rung ladders like you see here. Despite the steep climb there is excellent footing and many railings have been imbedded into the rocks - my son Mark is holding a railing in this photo.

Once you get above the tree line there are many places where you will want to stop - after saying "WOW". Take time to rest and enjoy the views.

This is one of the views you will surely enjoy - remember to bring extra film and batteries for your camera!

I beg you to not do what I have seen many people do - hike to the top without stopping, say wow and then leave without taking time to sit and enjoy the beauty. Look carefully and you may see an eagle flying below you along the coast soaring along looking for dinner. Gulls and hawks are a common sight if you take the time to look - look down not up! Lobster fisherman will surely be hauling pots and tall ships are common even though they look like rowboats with a mast.

Yup, that is a cloud peaking out from behind the mountain.

On this day the fog could be seen as it moved over one of the islands in Frenchman Bay off Bar Harbor.

Egg Rock Light, built in 1875, is located on a small exposed island marking the entrance to upper Frenchman Bay. It is 1.7 miles offshore from Mount Desert Island, Maine. This lighthouse has the distinction of being the most homely on the Maine coast. It is on the small island in the lower right hand side of this photo. (For information on all of the Lighthouses in the state go to my General Info Section and then the lighthouse page listed in the index).

Yup, those are people hiking the Beehive Trail - this is exciting hiking!

You can actually see people in several places in this photo - can you find Waldo??

Hint, look in the bottom left of the photo as well as in the center.

The area in the red box is what you see above. This is the view of Beehive from the Sand Beach parking lot.

This is the trail leading down the back side of the mountain. As you can see this is a much easier trail and is a good way for folks to climb to the top without the excitement of the east face.

A Word Of Warning: Thousands of visitors hike the trails of Acadia each year and when done properly they are very safe. However, I want you to understand that you have a responsibility to yourself and others on the trails to use good judgment and extreme care and caution when hiking in Acadia. People have been seriously injured or even killed the trails of Acadia. It is not like a walk in Central Park in New York. I am not trying to scare you away, I am just reminding you that you must respect these trails and not take your responsibility lightly. The rock stairs are uneven, there are many tree roots and features that make the trail surface uneven. Go slow and look carefully at where you place your feet.

Hiking Tips: Wear good shoes and comfortable clothing. Dress in layers and be ready to add or remove clothing as you warm up and cool down during your hike. A hat and sun screen are important and some insect repellent may be needed depending on the time of year. Bring plenty of drinking water and you may want to bring a snack to enjoy at the top. A camera is a must and be sure you have extra film and batteries.

All that said, try to limit the weight of what you carry to the top - extra lenses and tons of food is not a good idea. And, be sure you do not leave any traces of being there, carry out any trash you generate.

You will see small piles of rocks on many of the trails, these are called cairns. Do not disturb these as they are trail markers. Many of the trails are also marked with sign posts and/or small patches of paint on the rocks or tree trunks. Use these to help guide your way.