Beehive Trail

Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by

In fairness to every other trail in Acadia, if your destination is the summit of any mountain, it is eventually going to open up onto fantastic views of the bay, rocky shorelines, and pine forest. The Beehive trail is, without a doubt, just as much about the journey (if not more so) as the destination. It is also very likely one of two trails you will be asked about (the other being Precipice) if you tell anyone you visited Acadia.

Ultimately, all of the drama surrounding this hike occurs in the first quarter mile, but it is a memorable quarter mile! Although I personally believe the hype surrounding the ladders is a bit overblown, the fact you are essentially scaling a cliff face cannot be overstated. It is steep and has several very narrow ledges to traverse. However, in my opinion, the ladder rungs actually make the climb easier by placing hand and footholds in places you would ordinarily have to rely on rock outcropping. Focus upwards and the first portion of the trail is a relatively easy , albeit vigorous, climb to the top!

For further proof, on this day Angela and I had already hiked to the top of Beehive and were on our way down when my parents texted to let us know they were on their way to start the hike themselves. We hustled down the trail, found and intersecting path, and managed to link up with them just before the climbing began. From there we hiked to the top again, parents in tow. Anyone who knows Angela or I also knows if the hike was that demanding, we never would have thought to do it twice, much less twice in the same day.

Once we reached the top for the second time, we actually saw a proposal happening right at the edge of the cliff. While we were tempted to photobomb the moment, discretion prevailed and we offered a hearty cheer instead. In my head I was thinking if the proposal goes south, the cliff edge is awfully close.

After taking some time to drink in the views from the top, we began our second descent of the day, stopping to enjoy the large pond known as the Bowl on the back side of the trail. During the warmer months, I can imagine it is absolutely perfect for a dip in to cool off before heading back down. The descent is exponentially easier than the climb and is really more of a meandering walk through the forest and off the ridge.

Overall, this is absolutely one of the most interesting hikes on the trail and not to be missed. If for no other reason, you will be able to say you did it to the delight and amazement of anyone who has only heard about it, but never seen it.

Always Remember the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Plan Ahead and Prepare, Stay on Designated Trails, Dispose of Waste Properly, Don’t Take Anything You Didn’t Bring with You, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife, Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Courtesy: Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics