Precipice Loop, Acadia National Park, Maine
Hike Statistics:
Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Highlights: Champlain Mountain summit, Atlantic Ocean vistas, iron ladder rungs, scrambles
About this Hike
Acadia National Park is famous for its rugged landscape with steep, rounded granite peaks that tower over the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the park’s hikes climb these peaks, offering gorgeous views of the surrounding forests and distant ocean. Perhaps the best example of these hikes is the Precipice Loop.
At 2.7 miles long, the Precipice Loop may sound like a short, easy jaunt along the coast. But – for this hike – the short distance is merely a number. The Precipice is named after a 1,000-foot climb up a near-vertical rock face that ends at the summit of Champlain Mountain. This face would be impassable if it weren’t for conveniently-placed iron rungs. These rungs & ladders date back to the early history of the park, in the 1910s.
Generally, visitors consider the Precipice a safe trail if you are physically fit and wearing proper footwear. Still, I wouldn’t recommend this hike if you’re afraid of heights or lacking in upper body strength. For the adventurous and well-prepared, it’s an exhilarating adventure that provides some of the best views in Acadia.
If you’re looking for a less-intense hike in Acadia, there are plenty of easier & less technical ones to choose from. The Beehive (the Precipice’s “little brother”), Jordan Pond, and the Bubbles all offer easier alternatives to the Precipice. No matter what hike you choose in the park, Acadia is sure to blow you away.
