Hiking the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance (Roundtrip): 4.4 miles / 7.1 km
Known for being the highest peak in Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain is one of the most sought-after destinations among park visitors—especially at sunrise!
For this reason, the National Park Service began regulating the number of vehicles allowed to drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain in May 2021. This decision was entirely related to the overcrowding issues associated with the limited number of parking stalls available at the top.
That being said, hiking to the top of Cadillac Mountain is a great option for those who are unable—or not interested—in securing one of the vehicle summit reservations, and while there are a number of different routes to consider, the Cadillac North Ridge Trail is by far the easiest and most straightforward route to the top, which is exactly what this article is written about!
Book Here: Cadillac Mountain Vehicle Reservations
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Cadillac North Ridge Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Cadillac North Ridge Trail is located at one of two different trailheads.
First, there is parking directly alongside Park Loop Road, as shown below, or there is a lesser-known parking area off Paradise Hill Road at the Kebo Brook Trailhead, which only adds about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) onto the hike each way compared to the closer trailhead off Park Loop Road.
Remember to purchase your National Park pass in advance and display your pass or entrance receipt here and at every trailhead in Acadia National Park, whether you went through an official entrance station or not. Yes, law enforcement officers check parked cars throughout Acadia, and I have seen tickets handed out to vehicles not following the rules of a U.S. fee area.
On a different note, be aware that Acadia National Park is one of the busiest parks in the country, and finding a place to park, even at less-known trailheads, can be incredibly challenging during the busiest times of the year.
Google Maps Directions: Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Acadia
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Acadia National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Cadillac North Ridge Trail
Beginning at the trailhead off Park Loop Road, the Cadillac North Ridge Trail begins a slow, gradual ascent to the summit, gaining roughly 1,100 ft. (335 m) over the course of 2.2 miles (3.5 km).
Some hikers may prefer to carry trekking poles for the uneven granite terrain, which can be especially useful on the hike back down.
Great Hill
Great Hill on Cadillac Mountain is a minor viewpoint at only 640 ft. (195 m), but it’s truly just a reminder to keep turning around toward Bar Harbor.
The views only get better and better as the trail climbs higher!
There aren’t too many places to see the fall colors on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail, but the views looking out toward the lower elevations are truly second to none if you visit Acadia at the right time of the year.
To learn more about how to time the fall colors, I highly recommend checking out the fall foliage map linked below, as peak season on the coast tends to be a bit later than areas further inland.
Explore Fall: Fall Foliage Map
At a few different points along the Cadillac North Ridge, the trail approaches the Cadillac Summit Road, where visitors often pull off to the side to enjoy the view.
At this particular point, located at the 1.4-mile (2.3 km) mark, there is an option to either follow the road for a short distance until the trail veers away to the left or turn left as the arrow indicates.
Either way, both routes converge a short distance ahead.
This is the Cadillac North Ridge Trail that turns left immediately.
Don’t forget to turn around and enjoy the views toward Bar Harbor!
As the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail reaches the upper elevations of the hike, shade from the trees becomes less and less frequent.
For this reason, I recommend traveling to Acadia with a hooded sun shirt, which can be very useful here and on many similar trails throughout the park.
Hawk Watch
The Hawk Watch Lookout on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is a seasonal event where birds of prey are observed and counted during their fall migration southward.
Located here, just off the North Ridge Trail, this lookout allows visitors to witness raptors soaring and learn about their behavior and migration in order to protect them.
Rangers, volunteers, and visitors collaborate to record these sightings, contributing to the research that has been ongoing since the late 1990s!
Past the Hawk Watch viewpoint, there is only about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) left on the Cadillac North Ridge Trail to reach the upper trailhead and the parking lot beyond.
Cadillac Mountain
The end of the Cadillac North Ridge Trail is the end of the Cadillac Summit Road, where visitors with vehicle reservations park to explore the summit.
Here, you can walk around to explore all aspects of the 1,530-ft. (466 m) Cadillac Mountain Summit, including the Cadillac Mountain Loop Trail and the true summit, located just to the south of the parking area and loop.
Notable places visible from the top of Cadillac Mountain include Champlain Mountain, the Beehive, Gorham Mountain, Bar Harbor, and Bar Island, among many others!
More Acadia Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Acadia National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Mount Desert Island
Schoodic Peninsula
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
The biggest risks that the National Park Service highlights in Acadia National Park are largely associated with falls, whether on slippery, wet granite or down one of the countless dramatic cliffs found throughout the park.
This is true both in coastal areas and on unsuspecting upper-elevation trails—not just on well-known challenging hikes, like the Precipice and Beehive Trail.
That being said, prepare for all types of conditions, as New Englanders will tell you that layers are your best friend in Maine—especially on the Atlantic Coast!
Apart from this, be aware that there are Black Bears in Acadia National Park, though the National Park Service reports that encounters are very unlikely. Even so, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea, regardless that Black Bears usually present less of a risk compared to Grizzlies. However, it’s truly up to your own discretion and comfort level.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Acadia National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
