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    Home » Travel » Park + Trail Guides

    Beehive Trail (Acadia National Park)

    Published: Sep 19, 2021 · Updated: Apr 13, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Looking for hiking trails with fantastic views in Acadia National Park? Check out the Beehive Trail, one of Acadia’s famous (and challenging) rung and ladder trails.

    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail.
    The Beehive Trail

    We headed to Acadia this fall with (almost) no plans.

    I looked up trails while my husband drove, and I had no idea what to expect. As we drove, a friend texted and told me to go to the Beehive Trail.

    So we did.

    And guys, I didn’t really look anything up about the trail beforehand (other than how long it was and where to start). I had no idea what I was getting into!

    If you’re headed to Acadia, take this as me saying “Go to the Beehive Trail! … Unless you’re afraid of heights: then go to the Cadillac North Ridge Trail.” How’s that for a plot twist?

    Looking for more options for sightseeing at Acadia? For a challenge, try hiking the Bubbles or biking the Schoodic Peninsula. For easier options, consider the Jordan Pond Path or The Wild Gardens of Acadia.

    Here’s what to expect if you tackle this challenging ladder and rung trail.

    Why Is the Beehive Trail So Popular?

    The Beehive Trail is one of Acadia’s famous (or infamous?) rung and ladder trails.

    Rung and ladder trails are among my top 10 things to do in Acadia.

    These trails use metal ladder rungs attached to the stone mountain walls to help you scramble up the rocks. Yes, that’s right– these are rock scrambling trails!

    The Beehive Trail is one of the most popular rung and ladder trails, possibly because it’s open year-round.

    Some of Acadia’s other rung and ladder trails, such as the Precipice and Jordan Cliffs, are closed most of the spring and summer for peregrine falcon nesting.

    Is The Beehive Trail Difficult?

    Yes.

    This trail is only 1.5 miles long (short!) but it rises just over 500 feet in elevation. It also requires significant amounts of rock scrambling.

    Do not attempt this trail in wet or icy conditions.

    Should I Hike This Trail if I’m Afraid of Heights?

    Absolutely not.

    Not even if you’re a teensy bit afraid of heights.

    This hike goes vertically up the side of a mountain and requires rock scrambling along the cliff edges. The trail was always wide enough to be safe, however you do spend most of the hike up on the cliff edges.

    I usually can push past my (mild) fear of heights, but I admit that I was filled with regret as we hiked this. My husband, on the other hand, thought it was the one of the best hikes we’ve ever done.

    So if you’re scared of heights, heed the warning sign at the beginning of the trail.

    Warning Sign at trailhead.
    Beehive Trail Warning Sign

    Can I Climb Back Down the Rock Scramble?

    Nope.

    This trail was designed to be a one-way path.

    Go up the rock scramble, not down.

    Even if you’re perfectly capable of climbing down, keep in mind that there will (almost certainly) be someone climbing up right behind you, and there won’t be room for passing. The Beehive is a busy trail, even when it’s not peak season at Acadia.

    What Equipment Should I Bring?

    Take water, especially if it’s a hot day. This is a short trail but there’s not much shade. I like to use the Rupumpack daypack, and for something a little higher-end, the Osprey daypack is good!

    Wear shoes that grip well, such as these Keen hiking boots.

    If you take a trekking pole, know that it will need to be strapped to your daypack almost the whole way up. If you typically use a trekking pole, you might want it on the way down, but the trek down is fairly easy.

    Check out my guide to the best women’s hiking shoes and boots if you’re in the market for a new pair!

    Getting to the Trailhead

    There’s a parking lot for Sand Beach on the left just past the Beehive Trailhead.

    But: this trail is extremely popular, and long before you arrive at the parking lot, you’ll likely see cars parked along side the road for this trail.

    If possible, I recommend going early in the day, especially if you’re there in peak season. We hiked this trail in the mid-afternoon and had to park fairly far from the trailhead, even though we were there off-season in mid-September.

    Hiking the Beehive Trail

    The trailhead marker will list the Bowl Trail first.

    It’s okay, you’re in the right place!

    Trailhead Marker.
    Beehive Trailhead Marker

    Follow the blue trail blazes along the Bowl Trail.

    This section is rocky but not steep.

    Rocky area with trees marked by blue blazes
    Follow the Blue Trail Blazes

    You’ll pretty quickly arrive at the Beehive Trail marker.

    Turn right.

    Follow the Beehive Trail Sign.
    Follow the Beehive Trail Sign
    Rocky Path through a forest
    Rocky Trail

    Pretty quickly, the trail begins going up.

    And up.

    Rocky Path with stones marked with blue blazes
    Keep Following the Blue Trail Blazes

    Happily, you’ll have gorgeous views of the ocean to keep you motivated.

    Anytime you get tired on this hike, take a break and check out the views.

    Ocean Views from a rocky trail
    Ocean Views on the Beehive Trail

    You’ll go up some stone stairs.

    And then more stone stairs.

    Stone Staircase on the Beehive Trail.
    Stone Staircase on the Beehive Trail
    Stone Staircase on the Beehive Trail.
    Stone Staircase on the Beehive Trail

    When you reach the horizonal ladder (pictured below), this is where the exposed cliff edges begin.

    If you’re scared of heights and decided to hike this anyway, it helps to look at the rock ahead of you, not out at the view (as pretty as it is). Whatever you do, don’t look down.

    Trail Becomes a Rock Scrambling Path.
    Trail Becomes a Rock Scrambling Path
    Ocean Views on the Beehive Trail.
    Ocean Views on the Beehive Trail

    You’ll quickly arrive at the first ladder on the trail.

    Go up, making sure to pay attention to where the blue trail blazes go at the end of the ladder.

    Rung + Ladder Section of a rocky trail.
    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail
    Stone Staircase on the Beehive Trail.
    Stone Staircase on the Beehive Trail

    The next rung and ladder section was (in my opinion) absolutely breathtaking.

    As we climbed up, I kept wondering about who built this trail. It’s quite an accomplishment!

    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail.
    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail

    The leaves were just starting to change colors when we hiked this trail.

    We kept getting glimpses of bright red leaves around small ponds below.

    Views of the Leaves Changing Below.
    Views of the Leaves Changing Below

    When you get to the next set of ladder rungs, you know what to do.

    Keep on climbing.

    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail.
    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail

    And then, you’ve made it!

    Congratulations!

    Views from the Beehive Summit.
    Views from the Beehive Summit

    From here on out, the trail will be a breeze.

    Enjoy the views from the top of the ladder section, and then head on over to the mountain summit for even better views.

    Beehive Trail Summit.
    Beehive Trail Summit

    While we were sitting at the top, a kid walked up to the viewpoint and said disappointedly, “That’s it?”

    Yup, that’s it, kid. That’s it.

    Views from the Beehive Summit.
    Views from the Beehive Summit

    Whether or not you’re impressed with the view (I was), take a moment to rest.

    And then continue on the trail down the mountain.

    Path to the Overlook.
    Path to the Overlook
    Beehive Summit Overlook Views of the Leaves Changing Below.
    Beehive Summit Overlook Views of the Leaves Changing Below

    Don’t forget to look for the blue trail blazes when the trail is a little unclear.

    Follow the Blue Trail Blazes Down the Mountain.
    Follow the Blue Trail Blazes Down the Mountain

    When you reach the next trail marker, you can head back down towards the parking lot by following the signs for Loop Road and Sand Beach, or you can follow the Bowl Trail to get a view of Bowl Pond.

    We headed back to the parking lot.

    Beehive Trail Sign.
    Beehive Trail Sign

    The trail down is fairly easy, especially compared to the trail up!

    There is quite a bit of downhill, though (as you probably expected).

    Easy Path Downhill.
    Easy Path Downhill

    When you’re almost at the end of the trail, look up at the mountain on your left.

    That’s the Beehive!

    View of Beehive Mountain from Below.
    View of Beehive Mountain from Below

    If it’s a busy day on the Beehive Trail, you’ll probably be able to see people hiking up!

    Continue walking back to your car, and enjoy the rest of your time at Acadia.

    « Parmesan Halibut
    The Wild Gardens of Acadia »

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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