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Gorge Path

Difficult Difficult
 4.7 (24)
  1. Areas
  2. ME
  3. …Downeast Maine and Acadia
  4. …Acadia National Park
  5. Bar Harbor
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“A worthy challenge on the descent or ascent. ”

Andrew Averna
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Map Key

2.0

Miles

3.3

KM

Point to Point

1,475' 450 m

High

203' 62 m

Low

1,275' 389 m

Up

3' 1 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

59%

Max Grade (31°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · River/Creek · Spring · Views

Bring good shoes. Typical tennis shoes probably won't cut it with the amount of rocks and the slippery nature of the trail.

Description

While it does start from the junction with the Kebo Brook Trail, most people start from the Gorge Path Parking Area on the Park Loop Road. From here, you'll descend off the road down stone stairs next to a huge stone arch that bridges the road.

A 0.5-mile easy trek through the woods will warm you up before the path starts uphill in earnest following the gorge between Cadillac and Dorr Mountains. The path is steep, more like hiking up a river of rock (you won't see much dirt on this entire hike), with stone stairs and a small stream you'll be following. The trees provide nice cover, so even on a warm day, you won't have much sun exposure.

Once you reach the junction of the Gorge Path, Schiff Path, and A. Murray Young Path trails, hook a right and start climbing! It's all up steep rock faces to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, but you'll be rewarded with beautiful views of the gorge you just completed and Dorr Mountain across the way to the east. If you look carefully, you can see the sign post denoting the summit of Dorr Mountain and sometimes other hikers descending into the gorge down the Schiff Path.

When you summit Cadillac, save some breath for a haughty sniff at those who drove up (just kidding). In all serious, take time to enjoy your summit reward and revel in this classic Acadia view!

Flora & Fauna

You'll encounter several evergreens and ferns on the forest floor and high-canopy trees that keep the air cool.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Acadia National Park

Shared By:

Andrew Averna
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 24 votes

#2

in Bar Harbor

#166

Overall
  4.7 from 24 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
21%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Bar Harbor

#7

in Maine

#166

Overall
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2,126 Since Oct 10, 2017
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Photos

Not Alone
Mar 26, 2020 near Bar Harbor, ME
Cadillac solitude. with permission from AcousticWalden Flickr.com/kscherer11
Mar 14, 2016 near Bar Harbor, ME
What you can expect ascending Cadillac from the East off the Gorge Trail
Oct 8, 2017 near Bar Harbor, ME
View from the trail up the east side Cadillac Mountain.
Jul 19, 2024 near Bar Harbor, ME
Typical section of the Gorge Trail
Oct 8, 2017 near Bar Harbor, ME
View to the East ascending Cadillac's eastern face (cruise ships at Bar Harbor in the distance and Dorr Mountain is in the center).
Oct 8, 2017 near Bar Harbor, ME

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Weather

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 28, 2024
Miles Miller
0.8mi
Aug 26, 2024
Miles Miller
just did the bit between Dorr and Cadillac 0.4mi
Jul 15, 2023
Daniel Driscoll
Jun 23, 2023
Eric Chun
Oct 15, 2022
Chelsea Williams
Sep 23, 2022
Brian L
Hike first mile or so.
Sep 11, 2022
Matthew Wolf
Jul 2, 2022
Chris Von

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