This might be the perfect time to start dreaming of a fresh adventure for the latter part of 2025. My husband and I started planning the trip we took this past fall of 2024 with a cycling group to Acadia National Park in Maine about a year before it happened, and it was worth the wait. We were reminded that one of the greatest joys of traveling is connecting with others. I’m excited to share about the places we went with you — and I hope it will inspire you to start planning a trip, whether it’s to Maine or another place on your bucket list.
Acadia offers more than 125 miles of interconnected and looping hiking trails that appeal to explorers of all skill levels. To simply relax and enjoy your vacation on a scenic yet casual walk, try some local favorites that can all be reached from the Island Explorer Bus Service.
Forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads weave around the mountains, valleys, and waterways of Acadia. The roads, a gift of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., were developed between 1913 and 1940. Approximately 16 feet wide and open only to hikers, bikers, and horses, the roads are an example of broken-stone roads commonly used at the turn of the 20th century. Along the carriage roads you will find 17 stone-faced bridges.
There are many scenic and well-known stops to enjoy along the carriage roads. Jordan Pond House is a restaurant and shop where one can sit outdoors on a beautiful lawn overlooking Jordan Pond. The original Jordan Pond House originated on this very site in 1893 when proprietor Nellie McIntire first began serving up her famous popovers. Popovers (along with a delicious full menu) remain a popular, not-to-be-missed tradition of Acadia. Jordan Pond is one of the park’s most pristine lakes, with outstanding surrounding mountain scenery. Glaciers carved the landscape, leaving behind numerous geological features.
Story and photos by Patti Hartog
P.S. If you missed it, see part one here.
Leave a Reply