Hiking the Beech Cliffs Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance (Beech Cliffs & Loop): 1.6 miles / 2.6 km
The Beech Cliffs Trail in Acadia National Park is one of my favorite hidden gems compared to other, similar trails, such as the Beehive and Precipice Trail.
By this, I mean that both the Beehive Trail and Precipice Trail off of Park Loop Road are the two big names in Acadia National Park when it comes to climbing rungs and ladders up the park’s steep granite cliffs.
However, the Beech Cliffs Trail at Echo Lake is a fun and very similar day hike that most visitors don’t consider, as many aren’t aware there’s more than just Precipice and Beehive for climbing ladders in Acadia.
For this reason—and because of the beautiful views along the Beech Cliffs Loop Trail at the top—I highly recommend adding the Beech Cliff Trail to your Acadia bucket list, especially because parking is much easier to come by!
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!
Beech Cliffs Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Beech Cliffs Trail is located in a large parking lot at Echo Lake on Mount Desert Island.
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: Beech Cliffs Trailhead (Echo Lake)
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 Beech Cliffs Trail
The Beech Cliffs Trail begins on the far northern side of the Echo Lake parking lot, past the short path that leads down to Echo Beach.
While the ladders on the Beech Cliffs Trail are certainly not of the same difficulty as the Beehive or Precipice Trail, some hikers may still find the sections up ahead to be challenging, regardless that they are generally considered easier overall.
Apart from the ladders, the initial incline is fairly steep, and some hikers may prefer to carry trekking poles for the hike back down.
Beech Cliff-Echo Lake Overlook Junction
As the Beech Cliffs Trail nears the first ladder, it splits, with a short trail leading to an overlook above Echo Lake.
This is the path shown below.
Echo Lake Overlook
The Echo Lake Overlook is truly just the beginning compared to how much more beautiful the views are from the Beech Cliffs Loop Trail up above!
Ladder 1
This is the first of four different ladders on the Beech Cliffs Trail, with the final three all back-to-back just before the top.
Ladder 2
The second ladder is the tallest, meaning it’s the longest and most exposed of the four.
Ladder 3 & 4
Finally, the Beech Cliffs Trail ascends the final two ladders just prior to the top, with one located right after the other.
Beech Cliffs-Canada Cliffs-Beech Cliffs Loop Junction
The top of the Beech Cliffs Trail is the beginning of the Beech Cliffs Loop Trail and the optional Canada Cliffs Trail, which some hikers prefer to descend to avoid climbing back down all four ladders.
That being said, I highly recommend continuing further on the Beech Cliffs Loop before hiking back, as the best views on the entire trail are undoubtedly off the Echo Lake side of the cliffs up ahead.
Beech Cliffs Loop Trail
After just 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Beech Cliffs Loop Trail splits, with the path to the left leading to the joint Beech Cliffs-Beech Mountain Trail and the start of the loop located to the right.
Here, I chose to go right around the loop in the counterclockwise direction, in order to enjoy the views above Echo Lake first!
Read My Separate Post: Beech Mountain Trail
This view above Echo Beach is easily my favorite on the entire Beech Cliffs Trail!
Views similar to this only get better if you choose to continue up the Beech Mountain Trail, which I explain in more detail at the end of this article.
Beech Cliffs Loop Junction
One of the best things about the Beech Cliffs and Beech Cliffs Loop Trail is that, after hiking up, visitors have the option to continue further to Beech Mountain without having to deal with the competitive parking situation at the joint Beech Cliffs-Beech Mountain Trailhead.
This is the option I personally recommend, making the total distance 2.8 miles (4.5 km) when the two are combined. This is the direction shown below.
This is all to say: go left to return by way of the Beech Cliffs or Canada Cliffs Trail, or go right to hike toward the beginning of the Beech Mountain Trail, about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away.
Read My Separate Post: Beech Mountain Trail
Beech Cliffs Loop-Beech Mountain Trailhead
This is the end of the Beech Cliffs Trail at the joint Beech Cliffs-Beech Mountain Trailhead, with the Beech Mountain Trail beginning directly across from the parking lot from this point.
With that in mind, you can learn more about the full Beech Mountain Trail, beginning from this trailhead, in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Beech Mountain Trail
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
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