Hiking Cedar Swamp Mountain via Sargent South Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance: 4.4 miles / 7.1 km
Cedar Swamp Mountain, in Acadia National Park, is one of four smaller summits that sit beneath Penobscot and Sargent Mountain, two of the most popular day hikes that surround Jordan Pond.
However, of these four, Cedar Swamp Mountain is one of the least visited, as the Sargent South Ridge Trail to get there is not a convenient or straightforward route for either Penobscot or Sargent Mountain.
For this reason, Cedar Swamp Mountain can be one of the best day hikes to escape some of the busier areas in Acadia National Park—especially those that begin at the Jordan Pond Trailhead!
Cedar Swamp Mountain Trailhead Parking
Parking for Cedar Swamp Mountain via the Sargent South Ridge Trail is located at the Brown Mountain Trailhead, just off the Hadlock Ponds Loop.
That said, know that while Cedar Swamp Mountain is renowned for being a quiet Acadia day hike, the Brown Mountain Trailhead can be quite busy, with bikers parking for the Carriage Roads at the base of the mountain.
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: Cedar Swamp Mountain 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 Cedar Swamp Mountain via Sargent South Ridge Trail
The hike up Cedar Swamp Mountain from the Brown Mountain Trailhead begins on a series of Carriage Roads for the first 0.75 miles (1.2 km), before the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail crosses the road.
At this first split, go right to continue to the upper Carriage Road, which leads to the Sargent South Ridge Trail.
About 0.2 miles (0.3 km) past the first junction, the Carriage Road splits once again.
Here, go right to continue to the Sargent South Ridge Trail, which branches off toward Cedar Swamp Mountain on the left-hand side.
Sargent Mountain South Ridge-Carriage Road Junction
This is where the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail crosses the Carriage Road.
That being said, go left to begin the Sargent South Ridge Trail to Cedar Swamp Mountain.
Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail
From the Carriage Road, the Sargent South Ridge Trail climbs roughly 610 ft. (186 m) over 1.3 miles (2.1 km) until the trail to Cedar Swamp Mountain splits away.
Since the hike up Cedar Swamp Mountain is so constant, some hikers may prefer to carry trekking poles for the uneven granite terrain, which can be especially useful on the hike back down.
Other than everything mentioned above, there’s not much to know about the Sargent Mountain South Ridge to Cedar Swamp Mountain—except that there is the option to make the hike a one-way loop with the east side of the Hadlock Ponds Loop, to the Brown Mountain Trailhead.
This is a route that I have hiked before, which can either be hiked along the ponds or the lower Carriage Road for the fastest route back to the beginning.
This viewpoint of Penobscot Mountain is one of the only vantage points before reaching the summit of Cedar Swamp Mountain.
Cedar Swamp Mountain-Sargent Mountain South Ridge Junction
About 0.3 miles (0.5 km) past the viewpoint, the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail splits, with the short trail that leads over to Cedar Swamp Mountain.
Here, go left, and the end of the hike will be found shortly ahead.
Cedar Swamp Mountain Trail
After leaving the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail, there’s only 0.1 miles (0.2 km) on the Cedar Swamp Mountain Trail to reach the summit.
Cedar Swamp Mountain
According to the National Park Service, Cedar Swamp Mountain stands at 935 ft. (285 m), making it the exact same height as Parkman Mountain just to the north.
On a different note, the relatively moderate hike to the top and expansive west-facing views make Cedar Swamp Mountain one of the best sunset hikes in Acadia National Park, so long as you’re comfortable with the 2.2-mile (3.5 km) hike back down in the dark.
This is why I highly recommend traveling to Acadia with a quality headlamp, as there are more than a few amazing day hikes that can also be great sunrise and sunset adventures!
Mount Desert Island
Schoodic Peninsula
