Hiking_Acadia_final-10

1 Bar Island Trail

A low-tide walk leads to a rocky island off Bar Harbor, providing a unique perspective back toward town and its mountain backdrop. The trail can also offer a close-up view of seagulls feeding, as they drop mussels from midair to crack open the shells.

Distance: 2.0 miles out and back

Hiking time: About 1 to 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail surface: Low-tide gravel bar, gravel road, forest floor, rock ledges

Best season: Spring through fall

Other trail users: Joggers, motorists on gravel bar

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Map: USGS Acadia National Park and Vicinity

Special considerations: Accessible only 1.5 hours on either side of low tide. Check the tide chart on Bar Island; in the seasonal park newspaper, The Beaver Log; or at www.maineboats.com/tide-charts/downeast. There is a public restroom at the intersection of West and Main Streets.

Finding the trailhead: From ME 3 at the park visitor center, head south for about 2.5 miles toward downtown Bar Harbor. Turn left (east) onto West Street at the first intersection after the College of the Atlantic. The trail, visible only at low tide, leaves from Bridge Street, the first left off West Street on the edge of downtown. There is limited on-street parking on West Street. The closest Island Explorer stop is Bar Harbor Village Green, which is available on the Campgrounds, Eden Street, Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, Brown Mountain, and Southwest Harbor lines. GPS: N44 39.18' / W68 20.98'

The Hike

The Bar Island Trail is a short, easy jaunt within shouting distance of Bar Harbor, but you feel transported to another world.

Easy enough for the least-seasoned hiker, the Bar Island Trail also provides a bit of risk to satisfy the thrill-seeking adventurer—it can only be traveled at low tide, when a gravel bar connecting Bar Harbor and the island is exposed. Safety Message, a sign warns hikers once they reach the island’s rocky shores. The high tide comes in quickly. To ensure you get off Bar Island safely, please depart island/bar 3½ hours prior to incoming tide. For your convenience, a tide chart is posted.

Another bit of risk to caution you about, as our nieces Michelle and Sharon experienced while walking along the gravel bar: Watch out for seagulls feeding nearby—or you may find a mussel being dropped on your shoulder.

First described in 1867, the trail was reopened by the National Park Service in the 1990s.

From the foot of Bridge Street in Bar Harbor, walk northwest across the gravel bar, reaching the island at about 0.4 mile. Some of the resort town’s historic summer “cottages”—really mansions—are visible along Bar Harbor’s shoreline to the left (southwest) as you cross the gravel bar.

Once you reach Bar Island, head northeast up the gravel road behind the gate. The trail soon levels off at a grassy field. At about 0.6 mile bear left (northeast) at a trail sign pointing into the woods toward Bar Island summit. At a fork at about 0.8 mile, marked by a cairn (or pile of rocks to mark a change in trail direction), bear right (southeast) up a rocky knob.

At about 1.0 mile you reach the summit, with its views toward Bar Harbor. From here you can hear the town’s church bells, see the fishing and recreational boats along the harbor, and take in the smells of the sea and the views of the mountains.

Return the way you came.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start at the Bar Island trailhead, at the foot of Bridge Street.

0.4Reach the shore of Bar Island. Check the posted tide chart to time your return, else you’ll have to wait more than twelve hours for the next low tide. Head northeast up the gravel road behind the gate.

0.6Cross a grassy field and come to a junction; bear left (northeast) into the woods at the trail sign.

0.8Reach another junction marked by a cairn; bear right (southeast) up to the island’s summit.

1.0Reach the island’s summit, with views back toward Bar Harbor and the mountains. Retrace your steps.

2.0Arrive back at the trailhead.