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
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.
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 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!
