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Arguably Acadia’s most challenging and well-known trail, and the one that tops thrill-seekers’ lists


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Map Key

0.8

Miles

1.3

KM

Point to Point

1,043' 318 m

High

120' 37 m

Low

951' 290 m

Up

28' 8 m

Down

24%

Avg Grade (13°)

54%

Max Grade (28°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a very serious trail, and you should not take it lightly. Be sure to wear proper footwear (i.e. boots, or climbing or athletic shoes). Unfortunately, some have tried it with flip flops and other impractical footwear in the past and have literally suffered tragic consequences.

The park closes this trail sometimes during the spring and parts of summer due to the nesting activities of Peregrine Falcon. So be sure to check the trail’s status on the park’s website.

Description

First of all - WARNING: if you are afraid of heights, you should skip this one - don’t even think about it, seriously! But for those who don’t have a problem literally inching along a precipice, this trail combines a fantastic “non-technical” (but still very challenging) climb with a wonderful sense of adventure and great views of Frenchman Bay and the under-appreciated Schoodic Peninsula (another part of the park that’s a bit removed from the main area) to the east. Wait until you reach the path’s summit, however, before you take in the views.

Essentially, this trail climbs and inches its way up the steep and extremely craggy eastern side of Champlain Mountain; it is undoubtedly the park’s most famous trail, and the one that most adventurers want to claim they have done. It has quite a reputation for a path that is less than a mile long.

You should begin your hike at the path’s trailhead, which is located just to the west of the Park Loop Road (there is a parking lot directly across from the start). The trail starts climbing and snaking its way up the mountain from the very beginning. It doesn’t get too steep, however, until after you’ve reached the 0.4 mile point, when the trail intersects with the Orange and Black Path. Once there, you'll turn back to the southwest and start climbing approximately 550 feet over the next 0.3 miles. This section contains a number of iron rungs, metal ladders, a series of wooden bridges, and several switchbacks which help you climb and scramble you way up the rugged side of Champlain Mountain. Make sure you have a strong grip and a good sense of balance before you try to negotiate your way up this path. At about 0.7 miles, the trail will become a little more gradual until you reach the end of the path at Champlain Mountain’s summit at 1,058 feet.

Once you’ve summited, do not try to go back down the trail. That would make it extremely difficult for others coming up the path, not to mention, put you in a much more dangerous situation than you were when you climbed up the path. To return to the start, take the Champlain North Ridge Trail northward for another 0.7 miles, until it intersects with the Orange and Black Path, which you can than follow back southward toward the parking lot for another mile.

Overall, this is a highly rewarding trail, but one that you must be in good shape to tackle, not to mention free from any fear of heights.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Onkst

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 32 votes

#79

Overall
  4.9 from 32 votes
5 Star
91%
4 Star
9%
3 Star
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Trail Rankings

#6

in Maine

#79

Overall
24 Views Last Month
3,056 Since Apr 22, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
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67%
33%

Photos

Precipice Trail lives up to its name.
May 17, 2016 near Bar Harbor, ME
Atop Champlain Mountain with views of Porcupine Islands in distance.
Jul 29, 2017 near Bar Harbor, ME
One of the final climbs of the Precipice Trail. This is not a trail for the faint of heart!
Nov 4, 2020 near Bar Harbor, ME
Perfect spot for a family photo, it was a perfect day.
Jan 29, 2018 near Bar Harbor, ME
The staple-like rungs of the precipice trail bring you up the steeper sections.
Sep 21, 2019 near Bar Harbor, ME
Mount Champlain Summit.
Mar 25, 2016 near Bar Harbor, ME
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