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One of Acadia's famed Carriage Roads. The best example of brokenstone roads in the U.S. today.


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Map Key

6.1

Miles

9.8

KM

Loop

470' 143 m

High

276' 84 m

Low

299' 91 m

Up

295' 90 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

7%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Wildlife

ADA Accessible

Please respect posted regulations where they apply.

Overview

This is one of Acadia's most popular carriage road loops around the scenic Eagle Lake.

Description

Forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads, the gift of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and family, weave around the mountains and valleys of Acadia National Park. Rockefeller, a skilled equestrian rider, wanted to travel on motor-free byways via horse and carriage into the core of Mount Desert Island. His development efforts from 1913 to 1940 resulted in the amazing road system you can use today with extensive views of this rich landscape.

Acadia's carriage roads are the best example of broken stone a type of road commonly used at the turn of the 20th in America. They are wonderfully well preserved, and visitors today can travel along them in much the same fashion as Mr. Rockefeller himself. They are true roads, approximately 16 feet wide, constructed with methods that required much hand labor.

Road crews quarried the island for granite road material and bridge facing. The use of native materials helped blend the roads into the natural landscape and ensure their longevity. However, maintaining these roads today is no easy task, and has been made possible through the National Park Service as well as the non-profit, .

Flora & Fauna

These roadsides were landscaped with native vegetation such as blueberries and sweet fern. Be sure to stop and pick some!

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 15 votes

#1357

Overall
  4.3 from 15 votes
5 Star
47%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#21

in Maine

#1,357

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4,207 Since Jun 10, 2016
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Photos

Milk Way Above Eagle Lake, Acadia National Park, ME
Apr 1, 2015 near Bar Harbor, ME
Eagle Lake fall color.
Apr 8, 2016 near Bar Harbor, ME
On the shores of Eagle Lake.
Jun 13, 2019 near Bar Harbor, ME

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