Gorham Mountain Trail
(Moderate hiking, 0.9 miles one-way)
The bare summit of Gorham Mountain features commanding views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and Ocean Drive (the Park Loop Road), Sand Beach, and Otter Cliff. To the west is Dorr Mountain, with the bulk of Cadillac Mountain – the highest summit in Acadia National Park – rising just beyond. Gorham Mountain is the southernmost peak of the long Champlain Mountain ridgeline that includes The Bowl and The Beehive.
The trailhead for the Gorham Mountain Trail is located on the Park Loop Road opposite Monument Cove, about 10 miles from Hulls Cove Visitor Center. The Island Explorer shuttle bus also serves this and many other park trailheads.
The trail wends through forest of birch and spruce trees before entering an area of stunted pines growing on the pink granite ledges. In just over a quarter-mile the trail splits. The short and rocky path to the right leads beneath Cadillac Cliffs before rejoining the main trail. Continuing straight ahead on the easier route, you’ll climb gradually upward along the ridge, passing the upper end of the Cadillac Cliffs loop, before topping out on the 525-foot high summit of Gorham Mountain.
You can retrace your steps to return to the parking lot, or continue north on Gorham Mountain Trail toward The Beehive, then turn eastward to emerge on the Park Loop Road just above Sand Beach, about a mile walk. From there it’s a pleasant walk of another mile along Ocean Path back to your car.
Visitor Resources: Hiking and Climbing in Maine | Maine Trail Finder | Bar Island | The Beehive | Ship Harbor Nature Trail | Wonderland Trail | The Bowl Trail | Beehive Trail Hike Beech Mountain | Bubble Rock Trail | Cadillac Mountain | Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail | Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trai | Cadillac Summit Path | Champlain Mountail Beechcroft Trail | Champlain North Ridge Trail | DownEast Lakes Trust Trail | Gorham Montain Trail | Great Head Trail | Jordan Pond Nature Trail | Mansell Mountain Trail | Ocean Path Trail | Pemetic North Ridge Trail | Precipice Trail
