Cottongrass grows along the Long Pond Trail.
74 Bowditch and Long Pond Trails via Duck Harbor Trail
A remote circuit, this hike provides plenty of solitude as you climb the wooded summit of Bowditch Mountain and traverse the western shore of 6,300-foot-long Long Pond, the only freshwater pond on the island.
Distance: 9.0-mile lollipop
Hiking time: About 5.5 to 6.5 hours
Trail surface: Wooden bridges, forest floor
Best season: Mid-June through early September
Other trail users: Area residents; hikers on the Duck Harbor and Median Ridge Trails
Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted
Map: USGS Acadia National Park and Vicinity
Special considerations: Composting toilet at the ranger station near the town landing. Wear appropriate footwear, and bring insect repellent, especially during wet or buggy seasons.
Finding the trailhead: The hike starts from the Isle au Haut town landing. Turn right onto the paved road. Walk 0.3 mile to the ranger station. Turn left (southeast) at the ranger station to access the blue-blazed Duck Harbor Trail. Follow the trail for 1.4 miles to the Bowditch trailhead on the left (east). GPS at start: N44 07.25' / W68 63.91'; GPS at featured trail: N44 05.50' / W68 63.93'
The Hike
There are no expansive views along wooded Bowditch Trail, but the path is fresh and not trampled. It’s full of rich green moss and ferns and blooming with rhodora, sheep laurel, and tiny white star flowers in spring.
Reach the trailhead after a total 1.7-mile hike from town landing, first 0.3 mile on the paved road, and then 1.4 miles on the Duck Harbor Trail. From the junction with the Duck Harbor Trail, head east toward Bowditch Mountain and cross a long series of log bridges. The trail now begins a long, gradual ascent toward Isle au Haut’s north–south ridge.
At 2.8 miles, after attaining the ridge, the trail makes a sharp right turn at a junction at the park boundary. Follow the sign that says South. The trail, which can be overgrown, goes up and down the rocky ridge.
After you pass a field of ferns, you reach the wooded summit of Bowditch Mountain at 3.7 miles, at the junction with the Long Pond Trail. Turn left (east) onto the Long Pond Trail to head toward the pond views. (If you’re rushing to catch the last boat to Stonington, you can turn right (west) onto the Long Pond Trail to get back to the unpaved island loop road more quickly, cutting the hike short by 1.6 miles.)
The trail heads steeply down from the ridge to the pond, reaching the shore at 4.5 miles. Be sure to savor the views, because the path follows the pond for less than
Cottongrass grows along the Long Pond Trail.
100 yards before heading back into the woods. The trail brings you back up the ridge, steeply at times, and at one point takes you by an old stone wall.
At 5.6 miles reach the junction with the Median Ridge Trail coming in on the left (south) and a spur of the Long Pond Trail coming in on the right (north). Stay straight (northwest) on the Long Pond Trail as it winds over log bridges through a bog and along a level stretch of woods.
At 6.0 miles reach the unpaved island loop road. Turn right onto the road, and arrive back at the town landing at 9.0 miles.
Miles and Directions
0.0Start at the Isle au Haut town landing and turn right onto the paved road.
0.3Turn left (southeast) at the ranger station to access the blue-blazed Duck Harbor Trail.
1.7Turn left (east) onto the Bowditch Trail.
2.8Take a sharp right (south).
3.7Summit Bowditch Mountain and reach the junction with the Long Pond Trail. Turn left (east) to head to Long Pond. (Option: If you’re pressed for time, turn right and take the Long Pond Trail south and then northwest back to the unpaved island loop road in 0.7 mile.)
4.5Reach the shore of Long Pond.
5.6Reach the junction with the Median Ridge Trail coming in on the left (south) and a spur of the Long Pond Trail coming in on the right (north). Stay straight (northwest) on the Long Pond Trail to get to the unpaved island loop road.
6.0Reach the road. Turn right (north) to head back to the town landing on the road.
9.0Arrive back at the town landing.