Listen up: this intense hike does not mess around. All those things you read at the trailhead and on the websites are true. If you're not in great shape, and if you have even the tiniest whisper of a fear of heights, then this hike is NOT for you. No kids, full stop. There's a reason it's on lists of "The Most Dangerous Tourist Attractions In The World" and the like. Now that you're appropriately warned, I can also say that this is one of the most memorable and fun hikes I've ever done. You start at the very small parking area (plan to park along the road, or honestly, just take the shuttle that stops here) and have the easiest part of the hike first. After just a bit, you'll come to your first climb up a rock face, then you wrap around the mountain to find a scramble up a talus rock slope. At the top of the that rock scramble you bop over and then under a tunnel of rock, and that's just getting you warmed up. Expect 90-degree granite cliffs where you cling to iron ladder rungs, exposed rock faces where you shuffle along the face on a tiny ledge, and a lot of thigh/glute/calf workout as you basically scale up the side of a cliff with many many many ladder segments as your sweaty palms cling to the iron rungs. In a word: awesome! At the end, you end up on the top of Acadia, looking out to the water. We visited in October when the foliage was prime, and obviously that's a pro move. Everyone talks about Cadillac but if you're willing to put in the sweat, this is the views without the crowds. Once you're at the top, they recommend coming down a different trail that pops you out on the road closer back to town, and then walking back to the trailhead. We did just that and it's the way to go--descending those ladders in two-way traffic is a recipe for problems. Shoutout the bus driver who stopped for us on the road so we didn't have to walk all the way back! If you're into hikes like this but don't want, you know, the FULL hike like this, I'm told the Beehive Trail has a little taste of this kind of thing and that may be the way to go. But if disaster flirting is your thing and you're a responsible hiker and it hasn't been raining, hit up the Precipice Trail for sure. read more

I love this. Not for beginners. Mostly steps and some steeper parts. When going uphill I had to stop a lot. A very good workout, and I would love to do it again when I am in shape. Don't do it midday, be there around 9. Leaving later would be too hot (it was 60F today and at 9 we were boiling from sun) Also, leaving early because of tourists. But, older people who can handle it can do it. For example: my friend who is 57 could walk and do it, but another 57 year old was much slower and behind the group. But, she did well. read more

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One of the most fun hikes we have ever done! Many hikers claim to be all about the journey and not the destination. But if I'm being honest, I'm a big destination hiker. I like the climb the tallest mountains and find the most epic views. But some of those hikes are rough. They can drag on for miles leaving you tired and disheartened. Not the Precipice Trail. The whole hike is a climb and unlike any other hike we've done. We kept looking at each other and exclaiming how much fun it was. It is one of those rare hikes where the act of hiking itself gave me the greatest joy, rather than the destination. The view from the top is nice but the views along the way are even nicer. The climb is more fun than the victory of summiting. We are in our 20s and in decent shape. I could see how a fear of heights or unstable footing could pose some issues on this hike. But if you're fit and confident, you totally have to do this hike while in Acadia. It's not too challenging, short, and like a playground for hikers. read more

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One of my all-time favorite hikes. Must be in good athletic shape to complete and if you are terrified of heights you should probably stay clear. However, we don't love heights and we're able to complete the climb without much of an issue. The views both on the way up and at the top are absolutely beautiful and it only takes a couple hours to finish the loop. read more

Precipice Trail - Hiking Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

BEAUTIFUL VIEW, INTIMIDATING YET AWESOME HIKE!!! This was definitely the best hike we did at Acadia NP. We started hiking around 10:00 AM so the parking lot at the base of mountain was nearly full. I would recommend getting their early to ensure the parking space. Or park at the big parking lots and catch the bus which are very frequent. The trail offers great views of the coast and Cadillac Mountain from the very top of Champlain Mountain. We did Champlain North Ridge Trail and back down to parking lot via Black and Orange Trail which are easier on the way down. The Ridge trail was very challenging with climbing the iron rung ladders built into the side of the mountain but the amazing views of the eastern shores of Mt. Desert Island will offset the hiking pressure. It took us hour and 30 min to get to the top. Pack enough water and snacks because it gets little tiring during hot days. Please use good traction hiking boots otherwise the rock climbing section will be very challenging. I would definitely recommend this for the amazing views! read more

I loved this trail. Definitely be prepared for some serious climbing and make sure you go when the weather is dry. The views were beautiful and it was a fun and exhilarating hike!! read more

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Not for the faint of heart or anyone afraid of heights; probably the most dangerous hike of Acadia but boy, is the view worth it. It's more of a rock climb than a "hike". Plenty of people get seriously injured or die from taking on this trail so tread with care. Perhaps stretch a bit before taking it on as you do some serious climbing over rocks and navigate the trail via iron rungs and railings. Some of the "hike" take some serious concentration if you aren't used to this caliber of climbing. A warning to those that decide to take on the trail: it can get very narrow at some spots. The beginning of the trail is mostly climbing over boulders with a small test of being able to navigate a lone family of rungs. If you're able to hoist yourself up these, you should be able to climb up the rest of the trail. It gets increasingly harder the higher you go up. The middle and especially the end are the most nerve-wrecking parts of Precipice as they contain many verticals and are exposed to the open. Be sure to take your time and let other climbers pass through if you need a breather. The trail requires patience, caution, and good hiking boots. I did this in gym sneakers but really wish I had packed my boots instead. Pack on plenty of sunscreen, wear flexible clothing, and bring snacks and water. If you're afraid of heights like me, those two things give you a good excuse to take a break. If you're reading this and aren't terrified yet/this review actually excites you, take on Precipice! My friends and I met plenty of families with youngish children who happily led the pack. If you're debating on it, perhaps take on the Beehive Trail and if you enjoyed that, you may enjoy the challenge of Precipice. Keep in mind that the trail will be closed for a majority of the summer because of peregrine falcon nesting (April-early August; it opened August 15th in 2017) but do expect a flock of people to climb to the summit once the trail is open. Avoid the trail when it's rained or is about to rain. The Island Explorer shuttle drops you off at the parking lot of the trail if you ask the driver to so save some gas and hop on to take on this exhilarating trail! read more

Amazing hike! Such great scenery and not a long hike at all! We finished the hike by 10am and I thought it was just the right time because as we were walking down the trail, many people seemed to be just starting. This trail isn't as hard as some of the websites say it is. If you hike average hikes on a monthly basis then this won't be an issue. A lot of stairs and boulders but really it isn't hard. First part of the hike we chose the route where you climbed most of the ladders rather then go down them. We started off with climbing a bunch of boulders and rocks followed by the ladders. Through the whole hike you had an amazing view of the ocean and the cruises which made the hike entertaining. Not to mention the sunrise. There were a couple spots where you could hang out and relax over a ledge overlooking the ocean. Once you got to the top there was plenty of flat spots to sit and enjoy a snack at. The last half of the hike wasn't my favorite only because it was more in the forest and had the same scenery. I get very bored easily on hikes and need almost a constant change in scenery in order to love the hike. But the first half of it is was really made my day. It took about 2.5 hours go up and down while making stops for pictures. The ladders were really the easiest part while the stairs was the hardest for me. If you are around this area I'd definitely do this hike! read more

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