Acadia and Mt. Desert Island
Spend a long weekend exploring Maine’s only national park — Acadia! Over the course of the trip, we’ll circumnavigate Mount Desert Island, visit fantastic small towns like Southwest Harbor and Bar Harbor, and have the opportunity to ride the famous carriage roads built between 1913 and 1940 with support from John D. Rockefeller Jr. Finally, we’ll get the chance to ride our bikes to the summit of Cadillac Mountain! At the eastern edge of the state and rising to 1,529 feet, the first light to reach the U.S. touches this magical spot.
Best of all, we’ll be eating at restaurants and staying indoors every night, so all you’ll need to carry on your bike are your clothes, toiletries, and a lunch for the day. It’s a great way to tour for both beginners and experienced cyclists alike. This long weekend will leave you wanting to come back for more!
"Perfect balance of hands-on enough to keep things in line, and hands-off to allow for the enjoyment of all. Our group gelled well, and we all had a great time!"
Day 1. Bar Harbor, Maine, 0 miles
Get ready for a great long weekend you'll remember for years! We'll meet up in Bar Harbor, a small Maine town a stone's throw away from Mount Desert Island. We'll meet in the afternoon, but come early to get out and explore Bar Harbor, a picturesque town on the water's edge. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of this gateway to Acadia National Park.
Day 2. Acadia National Park Loop, 26 miles
Today is a day for experiencing all the great things Acadia National Park has to offer. We'll ride the majority of the Park Loop Road, visiting places like Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the Otter Cliffs. As we make our way back to Bar Harbor, we'll pass Jordon Pond and Eagle Lake, and even take the road up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain -- one of the first places the sun touches in the U.S. each day.
Day 3. Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor, 32 miles
As we make our way to the opposite end of the island, we'll have another chance to grab any photos we may have missed yesterday. There will be plenty of opportunities along the way to stop and take a quick hike and explore some of the great trails the park has to offer. Before getting to our overnight overlooking the Cranberry Islands, we'll ride around Somes Sound and maybe grab some ice cream in Southwest Harbor.
Day 4. Southwest Harbor to Bar Harbor, 25 miles
On our last day, we'll continue to venture through new parts of this amazing place, riding up the west shore of the island. Be sure to stop by the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, sitting on the rocky cliffs since 1858. When we arrive back to where we started, we'll wonder how we got so much done in such a short amount of time, and will be planning our next trip back to Downeast Maine.
Know before you go
Information for eBike riders:
Because every rider, eBike, road condition, and elevation profile is different, it is ultimately up to the participant to judge best whether their battery will last through each tour day. We recommend using pedal assist in its lowest setting or off when not needed to maximize battery range. Bringing a second battery is also recommended. Remember, there is no vehicle support on our inn-to-inn trips, and you would need to carry the extra battery along with all of your other things.
