Hiking the Triad Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance: 0.8 - 3.2 miles / 1.3 - 5.1 km
Next to a number of busy trails that surround the Jordan Pond Path, the Triad Trail on Mount Desert Island is one of the best hidden gems in Acadia National Park!
I say this because, compared to others, like the Jordan Pond Path, The Bubbles, and even Penobscot Mountain, to name a few, the Triad Trail is a quiet, tucked-away hidden gem that’s relatively mild and has much more convenient parking.
On top of this, the Triad Trail is one of the best sunset hikes in Acadia National Park, as few park visitors know about this hidden sunset spot, meaning it’s not uncommon to have the entire summit to yourself at this time of day!
Triad Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Triad Trail depends entirely on whether you decide to begin from Jordan Pond or the southern trailhead off Park Loop Road, which is the route I recommend.
This explains why the distance posted above is so variable, with the southern trailhead being only 0.8 miles (1.3 km) roundtrip and the northern trailhead being as long as 3.2 miles (5.1 km) roundtrip if you begin from the same parking lots as Jordan Pond.
This is all to say: the southern trailhead is much easier to find a spot!
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: North Triad Trailhead / South Triad 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 Triad Trail
Regarding everything mentioned above, including the parking situation and the much shorter distance, I prefer to begin the Triad Trail from the south, even though I have hiked both routes and can confidently say that neither is overly difficult.
That being said, I think deciding which way to hike the Triad Trail should come down to parking, over all other considerations.
Triad-Day Mountain-Carriage Road Junction
Initially, the Triad Trail climbs above Park Loop Road to the Carriage Roads that loop around The Triad and Day Mountain.
Here, the Triad Trailhead can be found straight ahead.
Read My Separate Post: Day Mountain Trail
Southern Triad Trailhead
From the southern trailhead, the Triad Trail begins a short but steep climb of roughly 410 ft. (125 m) to the viewpoint at the summit.
The initial steep stretch only lasts for about half the ascent to the viewpoint at the top.
This steep, open granite face can be particularly challenging during the colder months of the year, especially when the snow is melting during the day and freezing again overnight.
If you expect these conditions, I highly recommend traveling to Acadia with micro-spikes, which can be useful here and on countless other trails throughout the park with similar conditions.
Some hikers may prefer to carry trekking poles for the uneven granite terrain, which can be especially useful on the steep hike back down.
As previously mentioned, the Triad Trail from the south begins to level off as the trail nears the summit.
What is the The Van Santvoord Trail?
Just below the summit, there is a marker reading, “The Van Santvoord Trail.”
This sign serves as a lasting honor to John Van Santvoord, a key figure in designing iconic trails on Mount Desert Island as part of the Seal Harbor Village Improvement Society.
Furthermore, the Van Santvoord Trail specifically was dedicated in 1916 after his death, and the trail reflects his contributions to Acadia National Park’s development.
However, the historic trail disappeared from official maps after 1942, and today, there are only a few reminders of its existence, like this sign and others scattered throughout the park.
The Triad
Standing at just 696 ft. (212 m), according to the National Park Service, The Triad makes for one of the best sunset hikes in all of Acadia National Park with its beautiful west-facing view!
For this reason, I highly recommend hiking up with some food and a quality headlamp to sit back and enjoy one of the park’s quietest places to watch the sunset!
It’s certainly not the worst place in Acadia to eat a pizza!
Mount Desert Island
Schoodic Peninsula
