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Gorham Mountain Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 289 Google reviews · Running trail in Bar Harbor, Maine · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Gorham Mountain Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Gorham Mountain Trailhead
“Beautiful views as you make your way up a very rocky and at times steep incline.”
“It’s easy to miss as the blue blaze is not well marked but there is a sign post.”
As a fairly fit senior who read reviews that this trail was “easy” I would say that this is not the case. It’s more of a moderate level trail with many uneven areas stepping through boulders patches and uneven surfaces.
Definitely one of the most fun trails I have been on. This trail isn’t easy but it’s definitely manageable. We took a few breaks when needed and made it up within 30 minutes. There were a few other peoples there who had their children with them and they made it up just fine.
Gorham Mountain (in Acadia National Park) is a great mountain to hike year round. Be sure to also check out Cadillac Cliffs which branches off of the main Gorham Mountain trail. I recommend downloading the AllTrails app. There is no cell service here.
We did the Gorham Mountain Trail with a short detour to the Cliffs. All in all a pretty moderate hike, especially if you don't take the long way like we did. There is a false summit, though I liked the view better there!
Trail conditions & character
“The summit offered nice views although on our day mist and fog kicked in offering a calm meditative feel as the sea bell buoys called to us from below.”
“The Cadillac trail featured a narrow squeeze entry, many steep narrow rocky steep steps around rocky bluffs, an old cave and metal rung bar rail steps with metal rung hand holds.”
“The start of the ascending trail head had me scrambling and navigating large boulders, large areas of rock shoulders, exposed roots and slick rocks (be careful when wet).”
“Plenty of parking when I went , but I've heard it gets really busy during busy season for the park.”
“It’s easy to miss as the blue blaze is not well marked but there is a sign post.”
“It’s more of a moderate level trail with many uneven areas stepping through boulders patches and uneven surfaces.”
Plan your run at Gorham Mountain Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Running trails near Bar Harbor
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Beehive Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 613 reviews
Steep 1.4-mile trail with iron rungs & granite stairs to a lofty cliff-top offering ocean panoramas.
