Dorr Mountain and Sieur de Monts Spring Area

13 Kebo Mountain Path and Dorr North Ridge Trail

The short climb up and views atop the 407-foot Kebo Mountain are just a preview of the hike and vistas to come if you continue on to 1,270-foot Dorr Mountain along the north ridge. From Kebo you’ll get intimate, closer-up views of the Porcupine Islands and Egg Rock with its lighthouse. From the higher Dorr, you’ll get a panorama of Frenchman Bay and Champlain and Cadillac Mountains.

Distance: 3.6 miles out and back

Hiking time: About 3 to 4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Trail surface: Forest floor, rock ledges

Best season: Spring through fall

Other trail users: None

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Map: USGS Acadia National Park and Vicinity

Special considerations: No facilities or special parking area at the trailhead

Finding the trailhead: From the park’s visitor center, drive south on the Park Loop Road for about 3 miles. Turn left (east) at the sign for Sand Beach, and follow the one-way Park Loop Road for 1.4 miles. The trailhead is on the right (south) side of the road, across from a series of huge boulders lining the road and just before a rock outcropping as the road starts to curve to the right. It’s best to park at a pullout area at the Stratheden trailhead, 0.1 mile farther down the one-way Park Loop Road. The closest Island Explorer stop is Cadillac North Ridge on the Loop Road line; ask if the bus driver can let you off at the nearby Stratheden trailhead, a safer drop-off spot. GPS: N44 37.67' / W68 21.89'

The Hike

Previously combined under one name, these trails are now known as Kebo Mountain Path and Dorr North Ridge Trail to be more historically accurate. This hike gives you the option of doing the shorter, easier climb to Kebo or adding the steep clamber up the north ridge of Dorr Mountain. The Kebo summit section dates to the late 1800s and originally started at the Kebo Valley Golf Club on the outskirts of Bar Harbor.

From the current trailhead along the Park Loop Road, the Kebo Mountain Path begins with a series of seven small stone steps. The path then climbs steeply up rocky knobs and more stone steps, providing views beginning at 0.1 mile all the way to the Kebo summit at 0.3 mile.

From the partially wooded summit, you can see Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands to the northeast, with Cadillac Mountain’s north ridge to the west and Dorr Mountain to the south. Hikers content with Kebo Mountain’s views can turn around here, for a 0.6-mile round-trip.

The Dorr North Ridge Trail gives spectacular views of the Porcupine Islands and Frenchman Bay.

Those who want more open and grander views from atop Dorr, and are willing to work for them, can continue straight (south). Kebo Mountain Path goes up and down more rocky knobs lined with lowbush blueberries and offers more tantalizing views through pitch pines until it descends and ends at an intersection with the Hemlock Trail. (Hikers wanting a short 1.8-mile loop can turn left on the Hemlock Trail and then left again to circle back to the Park Loop Road on Stratheden Path.)

Pick up the start of the Dorr North Ridge Trail here, at 0.9 mile, and continue straight (south) along a brief level section. The trail then starts a short steep climb through rock-strewn woods. Birches and striped maple (also known as moosewood because its shoots are a favorite food of moose) dominate here.

The North Ridge Trail then ascends to pitch pine territory and above the tree line, going occasionally up smooth rock slabs. The views that were first hinted at atop low Kebo Mountain open up dramatically here, high on Dorr Mountain’s rocky north ridge.

At 1.7 miles reach a junction with the Cadillac-Dorr Trail, which heads down precipitously to the right (west) 0.2 mile to the gorge between Cadillac and Dorr, and with Schiff Path, which heads left (east) toward Sieur de Monts Spring. This is also where the Dorr South Ridge Trail officially meets the Dorr North Ridge Trail.

Continuing straight (south) along the ridge, reach 1,270-foot Dorr Mountain at 1.8 miles. The magnificent vistas of mountains and sea here are a fitting tribute to George B. Dorr, who loved the area so much that he helped found Acadia, and for whom this mountain is named.

Return the way you came.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start at the Kebo Mountain Path trailhead, on the right (south) side of the one-way Park Loop Road.

0.3Reach the 407-foot summit of Kebo Mountain. Continue straight (south). (Option: Turn around here and return to the trailhead for a 0.6-mile round-trip.)

0.9Cross an intersection with the Hemlock Trail. Pick up the start of the Dorr North Ridge Trail here and head straight (south) toward Dorr Mountain.

1.7Reach a junction with the Cadillac-Dorr Trail coming in from the right (west) and Schiff Path coming in from the left (east). Continue straight (south) on what is now officially the Dorr South Ridge Trail.

1.8Attain the peak of 1,270-foot Dorr Mountain. Retrace your steps.

3.6Arrive back at the trailhead.