Gorham Mountain Trail In Acadia National Park
Trail Info
Gorham Mountain Trail Info:
Location: Acadia National Park
Trail Length: 1.6 miles depending on which way you go.
Height: 525 Feet
Elevation Gain: 397 Feet
Trail Type: Out & Back, Loop & Connector
My Rating: Intermediate
Dog Friendliness
Dog Friendly: Yes, depending on which way you go. On the way up stay left at the fork on the trail the right will take you through Cadillac Cliffs and on the way back down stay right at the fork in the trail. The Cadillac Cliffs spur can be done with a dog however, it is not recommended.
Parking For Gorham Mountain
The Gorham Mountain Trail Head parking area is the first parking lot on the right after the Thunder Hole parking lot which is on the Park Loop Road. The Gorham Mountain parking lot tends to fill up quickly during peak season so make sure to get there early. There is additional parking down the road near otter point which would require you to have to walk back along the road to the trailhead. We discovered Gorham Mountain trail by accident. We had set out to do the Beehive Trail but the sand beach parking lot was full so we had to pass it by and ended up pulling into the parking lot for Gorham Mountain which is the first parking lot after Thunder Hole.
Gorham Mountain Trail
When you head off at the trail Gorham Mountain trailhead it will be a gradual incline. After about 0.2 miles you will come to the Waldron Bates Memorial Plaque and first intersection for Cadillac Cliff Trail. I recommend going up Gorham Mountain trail and on the way back take the Gorham Mountain Cadillac Cliffs trail spur. This creates the Gorham Mountain Loop. Just beyond the Memorial Plaque and trail intersection you will pass a section of cliffs and the views will open up. You will have great views all the way to Sand Beach and beyond. Be sure to take your time and enjoy the views of the rocky coastline and cranberry islands in the distance. They will not disappoint. The false summit on the way up has great views!
You will reach the summit of Gorham Mountain at 0.8 miles. The summit is the perfect spot to have lunch and soak up the beauty of the surroundings. With the exposed ledges there is not lack of spots to take a break on.
From the summit if you are feeling ambitious you can continue on the trail to The Bowl. The Bowl is a mountain top pond. The trail to the bowl is another gradual incline/decline and is 0.8 miles one way from the summit.
Make sure to take your photos before you start your return journey!!!! On your way back you have the option of taking the Cadillac Cliffs spur trail to your left. You would have passed it on the way up.
Gorham Mountain is by no means the highest peak on Mount Desert Island but it does offer some of the best views for a short distance trail.
How Long Does Gorham Mountain Trail Take?
This hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours round trip if you are taking your time to enjoy the views that Gorham Mountain Trail have to offer you. From the 525 foot summit of Gorham Mountain you can look to the north west to view Cadillac Mountain which is the tallest peak in Acadia National Park and Dorr Mountain. You can do it faster, but what’s the rush, you are there to take in the spectacular views and enjoy yourself! You can also make this trail longer by continuing on to The Bowl Trail. If you opt for the Bowl Trail you will be able to have a fantastic view of Champlain Mountain to the north and Enoch Mountain to the east. You are sure to find a great spot or two along the pond to enjoy the beautiful view around you.
The Gorham Mountain Trail is well marked, as is all the trails in Acadia National Park. However, you should always bring your map just in case. Also bring extra water, you never know where the trail might lead you. I often set out to do just a shorter hike, like Gorham Mountain and end up deciding at the summit that I want to continue on. Because there are so many connector trails in Acadia National Park taking a side trail is easy to do.
Gorham Mountain is one of the most popular hikes along the Park Loop Road. This is a great hike for the whole family, especially if you do not want to climb the iron rungs on the Beehive Trail.
