Rocky, moderately challenging and pretty heightsy. The Beehive Trail should really only be attempted by experienced hikers who are used to exposure and heights.Some people to say that this is a good trail to do if you want a taste of Acadia’s iron rung routes but without doing the more intense Precipice Trail. Beehive was really fun and pretty short, so it’s easy to do this one and other hikes in the same day. Bar Harbor, ME 04609-0177 I did it mid day and they were quite a few people on the trail, I had to wait at times to climb rungs. Check trail elevation profile or a topographic map before hiking. As the trail descends from the summit of the Beehive. If you are searching for an adventurous hike with a spectacular view, look no further than the Beehive loop. Thank you LORD GOD for such an amazing experience! The enticing tales of danger seem to draw everyone in Acadia National Park from serious hikers to completely unprepared curiosity seekers. If have fear of heights need not apply. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until October. The Beehive Trail, Precipice Trail, and Jordan Cliffs Trail are the most thrilling hikes in the park, where hikers cling to the exposed cliffs on iron rungs. Share 2. As one of the parks most trafficked trails, people challenge their bodies and minds as they ascend this 450ft cliff trail and are rewarded with stunning views over Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the Gulf of Maine stretching to the horizon. . Despite that, the view was beautiful! You’ll be happy to have completed this trail even if you are hesitant of the heights and labeled difficulty. Ample parking at the Sand Beach parking area. Go Hiking. It offers good views and is definitely a good test before tackling precipice. › Acadia National Park › The Beehive Loop Trail › Photos Photos of The Beehive Loop Trail The Beehive Loop Trail. Starting in 2021, if you're accessing this trail from Sand Beach you will need a reservation to use a private vehicle to enter the Sand Beach Entrance Station from mid-June to mid-October. The Beehive Trail is a very popular moderate to difficult out and back or loop trail using iron rungs on ledges of exposed cliffs, and is very steep, offering spectacular views of Sand Beach and the surrounding area at Acadia National Park. Fine-art photography from Zion National Park, Acadia National Park, Yosemite National Park, the Finger Lakes, Hocking Hills, the scenic Great Lakes state of Michigan, and beyond! Start of the trail was steep along small cliffs and was slightly difficult with the strong winds. The trail involves granite stairs, iron rungs, and rock scrambling. Not recommended for folks with a fear of heights, I did this trail the second week of October. The Beehive Trail entrance is located between the park entrance fee station on the Park Loop Road and Sand Beach, on the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island. The Beehive Trail is one of the most thrilling hikes in Acadia National Park. One of the most popular and thrilling hikes in Acadia National Park is the Beehive Trail, which takes intrepid hikers to a rocky overlook via scrambling and metal ladders that jut out from the cliffside. A mini me version of Prespice but still highly entertaining. Good foot wear is recommended.This trail is very dangerous in inclement weather. Was very exciting, a little tiring but the heights weren’t too bad! Trail Safety Tips. I personally enjoyed it and would recommend though if it ever had ice, I’d avoid. Save this one for a day or time that may be less busy. Did this hike twice. Tweet. Be sure to look for the light blue (Carolina Blue) trail markers as the trail can be quickly lost in your enthusiasm to scale the cliffs. Located in Bar Harbor, the Beehive Trail is an exhilarating hike with jaw dropping views at every turn. Thank you Mother Nature for all the beauty you bestow upon us. This is a piece of cake compared to Precipice. During rain events granite becomes extremely slippery. My favorite trail that we did at Acadia National Park was the Beehive Trail. The trail can be quite exposed when turning corners of the switchbacks. Enjoy the great views down to Sand Beach and the Atlantic. It’s a thrill for hundreds of thousands of visitors to Acadia National Park every year, and often one of the highlights of visitors’ trips. Awesome. The trail continues past the summit and descends down to the Bowl, a small peaceful pond between the Beehive and Champlain mountain. Home » Blog » Maine Life » Downeast & Acadia » Trail Guide for Beehive Loop Hike at Acadia National Park. I was 47 years old, severely overweight with diabetes, congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. The trail climbs up in a beehive type fashion back and forth until you reach the top and can see an expansive view of the park. From Hulls Cove Visitor Center take the park road to the one-way loop to park at the Sand Beach Parking area. If you have ever visited Sand Beach, you likely noticed it to the northwest, towering over the tree tops. Hard to maintain physical distancing on this one during the climbs. In Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island. Hiked today 1/9/21, used micro spikes for last scramble. Allowing the rocks to dry provides a safer ascent. Bubble Trail. Follow the Bowl trail 0.2 miles up a creek bed to the trail interesection with the Beehive trail. Overall great panoramic view of the Atlantic and Sand Beach, Did this last year. Start just north of and across the One way loop road from the Sand Beach parking area, climbing steps and through the forest to some exposed fairly flat rocky areas and a tall cairn of rocks marking your next steps. Acadia National Park charges a fee to enter. It is not advised to return down the rung and ladders. The most popular hike in Acadia National Park is indeed the Beehive. The Beehive is a 520-foot rounded granite hump (hence the name) that rises almost directly from the ocean on the eastern edge of Mount Desert Island. Most of the exposed surfaces are smooth and the fissures have been gracefully carved by a millennia of rushing Atlantic tides. The views are worth it if you can make it through the vertical ladder climbs up the cliffs. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55. The trail is awkward at times however being slow and intentional will help. We started from the Gorham Mountain parking lot and did the trail all the way to the beehive, then we made our way down the ocean trial (road walk) back to the Gorham parking area. One of our favorite hikes ever! A steep climb to the top of this small mountain with wonderful views out over the Atlantic and surrounding Acadia hills The Beehive Trail is a very popular moderate to difficult out and back or loop trail using iron rungs on ledges of exposed cliffs, and is very steep, offering spectacular views of Sand Beach and the surrounding area at Acadia National Park. Explore. Bring a map, water, snacks, compass, and extra layers for unpredictable changes in weather. As I started climbing I realized the difficulty and became fearful for my life. After a short hike through the woods to the beginning of the Beehive Trail, the trail ascends quickly. The Beehive Loop begins on the Bowl Trail across the park loop road from Sand Beach. The first part of this trail ascends a 450-ft cliff with exposed edges. Once at the top you can opt to go down the back side and make it a loop or go down the way you came. The trailhead is across the road from the Sand Beach parking area. It is not recommended for small children, people with a fear of heights or in wet weather. Fiancé definitely had a panic attack at one point...doubt she’ll ever do this one again lol. Do note, there are no more rungs or ladders present on the rest of the trail from the summit. You can park at the Newport Cove Parking Lot for Sand Beach. The Trailhead is on the east side of Mount Desert Island. There are several trails in this area to get you down there but they are all so short you won't get lost. But it’s not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights. We’ve done ladders and scrambling before, but this had some tough parts that left me wishing for another hand hold or two. Follow the trail along the ridge to see views of the rest of Mt. The trails can get especially crowded during these months, and parking may be difficult to find. If choosing this hike, expect steep granite staircases, iron rungs, and exposed cliff faces. Stay on trail as strategically placed iron rungs, bridges and hand and foot holds take the technical part out of the climb. This is a gradual descent down a dirt trail until it returns to the trail intersection that took the trail up the Beehive. Start heading up! Second time was a lot easier. Let’s get on it, it’s time to hike Beehive Trail – Acadia National Park! Sand Beach is served by the shuttle buses and has good restroom facilities. 207-288-3338. It is not a good trail for kids or those afraid of heights. There is a crosswalk at the top of the entrance to Sand Beach, the Bowl trailhead is located next to it. The Beehive is an exposed, iron rung climb. (View the Acadia Map.) Safety:The trail is rocky and uneven. I MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP! By car: After passing through the Sand Beach Entrance Station, find parking either in the right hand lane or in the Sand Beach Parking Lot. If Beehive is too much for you in regards to the heights/ledges/iron rungs, Precipice will be pretty challenging. Great views of Acadia! This connector does miss seeing the Bowl pond. There are a variety of options to extend hikes from the Beehive Loop. Acadia National Park Acadia National Park attracts millions of visitors each year, mostly from June through September. On the second half of the climbing section there are ladders that require being able to reach above the ladder and grab rungs to assist the climber in reaching the top of a small ledge. There are two trails on MDI that are most notorious for being dangerous: Beehive and Precipice. I thought "Oh my GOD, I am going to fall and die." Plus any hike that can be followed with a fresh lobster roll is an A+ in my book! From here take the Bowl Trail back to the trailhead after visiting the pond. I remember several spots which are not for those who are afraid of heights. It is worth the effort when you reach the top! It’s like a mini version of Precipice. Wonderland. There is a $20 fee to get into the National Park. I was scared but I said "being scared is not going to help you, but being smart will". Such a cool, short and rewarding hike/climb! Steep drop offs with no railings require secure footings. Head off on the trail from here. Rising to the top of a beehive-shaped dome above the Park Loop Road, the trail provides unbeatable views of Sand Beach and Great Head Peninsula. A. Murray Young Path via Canon Brook and Dorr South Ridge Trail, Ocean Path: Thunder Hole and Monument Cove, Ocean Path and Gorham Mountain Loop Trail, Canon Brook, Cadillac South Ridge and Dorr Mountain South Ridge Trail Loop, Precipice, Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trail Loop, Beehive, Gorham Mountain and Ocean Path Loop, Beehive, the Bowl, Gorham Mountain, Ocean Drive Loop, Precipice, Orange, Black Path and Schooner Head Loop, Bowl, Beehive, Chaplain South Ridge and Precipice Trail, Champlain Mountain, Orange and Black Path, and Schooner Head Path to Sand Beach. The beehive loop hike at Acadia National Park is a short & steep hike with a few exciting (scary) sections where iron rungs are used to climb up the side of the mountain. It was an exiting trail, I suggest not bringing your kids or pets, since there are parts where you’ll need both of your hands to keep going. There are over 120 miles of trails to select from. The Beehive in Acadia National Park juts out of the surrounding terrain proudly at 520 feet (158 m). There was no turning back -- it was to late and impossible to turn around or go back. Would classify this as a precarious rather than taxing hike. Desert Island. The majority of the trail provides excellent views of the Atlantic and the rigid Maine coastline. Lots of people so traffic jams all the time. 1824 Reviews. Pretty neat! The Beehive trail is a loop trail. The bubble trail is another favorite for it’s views over Jordan pond and a huge boulder … Elevation Gain: ~450ft up the Beehive face This hike is exposed and you will be using granite boulders, ladders, and iron rungs to haul yourself up the trail. Autographed copies of the book are usually available locally at Sherman’s bookstore in Bar Harbor, or you can buy it online on Amazon or through our online shop . Box 177 A steep climb to the top of this small mountain with wonderful views out over the Atlantic and surrounding Acadia hills Many people do the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park … Map of the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park, Courtesy of the National Park Service. We climbed this two days ago. Note: The Park Loop Road is closed from Mid-December to Mid-April. Super super crowded today— the crest of the trail actually had a line of people waiting to get to the top. Parking: Proper footwear is recommended. At just over 500 feet you are at the summit of the Beehive! Then just walk back up the road a little to the trailhead to start the hike. Beware of loose rock and uneven footing. Thought this was easier than bubble rock. The hike up the Beehive Trail (aka. Purchasing a park hiking map is an excellent resource to have to create longer hikes that involve the Beehive trail. I made a video on YouTube of the hike, just search Maps With No Roads on YouTube if you want a look at what the trail is like. The stops did however, allow us to enjoy the views. Just make sure when you get to the Bowl that you turn around and head back towards the Beehive. Use Routes 3 (Sand Beach), 4 (Loop Road), or 10 (Blackwoods) and exit the bus at Sand Beach. As you reach this section of trail the view continues to open up to see Sand Beach and farther up and down the coast. You are required to take the slower sloping trail down so just follow the blaze to the west and the trail loops around the beehive and meets up with the approach trail after about 3/4 of a mile. Add to this the famous Carriage Roads, and the day hiker has a wide selection of enjoyable hiking options.Camping is restricted within the park to Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground. THE HIKE: THE BEEHIVE TRAIL AT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK. The trail continues past the summit and descends down to the Bowl, a small peaceful pond between the Beehive and Champlain mountain. Really an awesome hike. Expect congestion and limited parking during summer months from 9 am to 3pm. Iron rungs were dry as of 0730 this morning. The park is open year-round, but many hotels, shops, visitor centers, and attractions are closed in the winter. The Beehive Loop Trail is a 2.3 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Bar Harbor, Maine that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail, Acadia National Park: Address, Phone Number, Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail Reviews: 5/5 Did this trail a few years ago but forgot to review. In winter, rain and runoff can freeze making the rungs and rocks slick, so only go if you’re confident in the conditions or have the right equipment. Do note, there are no more rungs or ladders present on the rest of the trail from the summit. 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