Best Sunset Hikes In Acadia National Park From Easy To Hard
Where To Go In Acadia National Park For The Best Sunset Hikes
Whether you are a year rounder or just here for a vacation, enjoying a sunset in Maine is a must do summer activity especially in Acadia National Park. I will go over what I consider the best sunset hikes that Acadia National Park has to offer. We are lucky in Maine to have Acadia with its vast coastline. But also some amazing mountains to catch the sunset on. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a short coastal hike or want to conquer some rugged terrain to enjoy the 360 degree view from a mountain summit, I got you covered.
Acadia is the perfect place to enjoy a good sunset. During the summer Alex and I are often busy during the daytime. We often do not have time to hike until later in the day. This makes it the perfect way to enjoy a good sunset hike. Summer is our favorite time of year to get out on the trail and enjoy watching the setting sun. Plus it is generally cooler and less crowded when going on evening hikes.
Some Safety Tips
Before I dive into the best place to hike for breathtaking sunsets, I am going to share some safety tips. Sunset hikes are different than your average day hikes. While you head out during the daylight, you will be hiking back in the dark which can create a whole different set of obstacles for you. Here is my list of things to take into account while doing a sunset hike.
- Make sure you have some sort of light for your hike back after the sun sets. I use a rechargeable headlamp and keep a small flashlight as back up just in case.
- Have extra batteries or a power bank for your light.
- Make sure you have a first aid kit in your backpack! This is especially true if you a doing a long hike.
- Check the weather before you head out. I cannot express this enough, check the weather forecast!
- Check the time of day for the sunset for your area and allow plenty of time to hike to your destination. Make sure you have the correct location when looking at sunset time for your hike.
- It’s always a good idea to take extra water!
- Always make sure you tell someone where you are hiking and what time you think you will be back.
- This is not a race. It will most likely take you longer than you expect to hike back because you will be in the dark.
Best Sunset Hike For Beginners
The best sunset hike along the coast of Acadia that is considered easy with amazing views of the ocean is located on the Pretty Marsh Trail. This is a great spot to watch the sunset as it is fairly low key and ofter overlooked. Pretty Marsh has a picnic area for you to enjoy before you head out on your 0.5 mile hike. In late afternoon you can take the stairs down to the waters edge and find yourself a great spot to wait for the golden hour before sunset. The parking area is located off Pretty Marsh Road on the West side of Mount Desert Island. It does have 11 picnic sites and restrooms.
Pretty Marsh Trail
Length: 0.5 miles round-trip
Height: 22 feet
Elevation Gain: 65 feet
Type:Out and back
My Rating: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes
Best Sunset Hikes For Intermediate/Moderate Hikers
My pick for best intermediate/moderate hike to see the sunsets is a lesser known hidden gem hike to the summit of Penobscot Mountain. The first part of the hike shares a path with a very popular hike in Acadia National Park and that is Jordan Pond Path. The parking lot at Jordan Pond fills up fast. At the North end of Jordan Pond you will Deer Brook Trail which will lead you to the scenic overlook that is Penobscot Mountain. While you can get to the summit of Penobscot Mountain from several different trails, the best way for a sunset hike is Deer Brook via Jordan Pond Path. Jordan Pond Path is a flat trail that follows its way around Jordan Pond.
What makes this hike intermediate is Deer Brook Trail portion. For 1.8 miles of the trail you will experience all of your elevation gain and loss with the steepest grade being 28%. I also consider this an intermediate hike because of the navigation of other hiking trails crossing its path. While navigating this trail is easy during the daylight hours, you will need to pay close attention on your way back to make sure you do not miss your turns. Deer Brook Trail passes by the Around The Mountain Carriage Road. Then it goes through the Sargent East Cliffs Trail & Jordan Cliff Trail before it connects into the Penobscot Mountain Trail.
The trail also has some sections with exposed roots that can be easy to trip on in the dark. However, because of this it offers all the best things of Acadia National Park. Not to mention the best views on clear days out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Penobscot Mountain
Length: 5.3 miles
Height: 1194 feet
Elevation Gain: 961 feet
Type: Out and back
My Rating: Intermediate
Dog Friendly: Yes
Best Advanced Hike
For a unique perspective and what I consider the best sunset views then you need to head over to Sargent Mountain. This is not the longest hike on my list but it is the most challenging and it definitely feel like one of the longer hikes in Acadia National Park. To get to Sargent Mountain you will need to summit Parkman Mountain and Gilmore Peak on your route. Make sure you give yourself enough time so that you can stop and enjoy the great view from each peak.
What makes this sunset hike the most advanced aside from having to summit two other peaks first is the rugged terrain. If you are up for a challenge this is it! You will encounter stone steps, iron rungs, some rock scrambling, forested trails and of course a spectacular sunset. From the summit of Penobscot Mountain you will enjoy unobstructed views for 360 degrees. Much like Penobscot Mountain, Sargent Mountain hiking trail has some turns you need to look out for. You will start on the Aunt Betty Pond Carriage Road, then turn onto Around The Mountain Carriage Road before hitting the Parkman Mountain Trail. After summiting Parkman Mountain you continue on and take the Grandgent Trail which you will follow past Gilmore Peak to Sargent Mountain. Again, be careful on your way back in the dark as you do not want to miss your turn.
Sargent Mountain
Length: 4.3 miles
Height: 1,375 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,479 feet
Type: Out and back
My Rating: Advanced
Dog Friendly: While I have seen dogs on the trail I would not take mine
Best Sunset Hikes Thoughts
Whether you are looking for a short hike to enjoy the beauty of sunsets or a challenge that makes the sunset seem that much better, Acadia National Park has you covered. My picks for best sunset hike might also surprise you. While most people of Cadillac Mountain for the best sunset and sunrises in Acadia National Park, I have found it to be too crowded for my liking. I like to help people get away from the crowd and try something different. Also these three hikes make for some of the best sunrise hikes in Acadia as well. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy the best sunset hikes Acadia has to offer!
