Maine Cycling - Acadia National Park - Lodge Based

Trip Length5 Days
Group Size4-12
Activity level
Starting from
$3,699 for REI Members
$4,069 for non-members
DeparturesJun 2025-Oct 2025

Escape to Maine and experience the dramatic beauty of Acadia National Park’s rocky coastlines and car-free cycling on tree-lined carriage roads.

Spend five days biking through Acadia National Park, a 49,000-acre preserve that encompasses some of Maine’s most luminous seacoast. Enjoy its rugged coastline, forested coves, and idyllic fishing harbors.  Bask in the sun on a scenic ferry ride, enjoy lobster rolls in a small fishing village, and cycle along the open ocean as it crashes against the rugged shore of the Schoodic Peninsula. Kayak in a protected harbor that offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, including seals and dolphins.  Cycle along the 45-mile network of car-free trails and stone bridges that John D. Rockefeller built and gifted to the park. There is the option to see sunrise from Cadillac Mountain for an epic view of the surrounding pint-sized islands, deep bays, and lush forests.  We stay on Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park, in the lively and walkable town of Bar Harbor.

We cycle along rocky coastline and rose-colored granite mountains.

Trip Highlights

  • Explore Acadia National Park’s web of trails alongside ponds and scenic coastal overlooks
  • Experience the century-old carriage road trails by bike
  • Kayak in the Atlantic Ocean and spot seals and harbor porpoises
  • Enjoy lush pine forests, rocky coastlines and rose-colored granite mountains
  • Cycle Park Loop Road past Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and Otter Cliffs
  • Take in sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the Atlantic coast

Activities

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Participants should be experienced cyclists who are comfortable riding between 12-35 miles (4-5 hours) per day on both paved and crushed gravel roads with light vehicle traffic. Trip members should also be capable of kayaking up to 3 hours and hiking up to 3 miles, with elevation gains of 700'.
Rides range from 12-35 miles per day with the ability to add a few more miles on some days. Terrain is hilly with a few steeper ascents and descents. Average elevation gains and losses are 90' to 1800' per day. Most hill gradients average 3-6% and a few steeper points can reach up to 10% grades or higher. Vehicle support is always available when needed. E-bikes are available in a limited quantity upon request.
Kayaking is suitable for beginners but guests should be comfortable on the water and able to swim.

  • Cycling
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Multisport

What's Included

Four nights accommodations; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; ferry ride tickets; two professional guides; transfers as noted on the daily itinerary; all park fees and permits. Guest’s choice of a flat bar hybrid, flat bar e-Bike or drop bar gravel bike.

Accommodations

Hotel, 4 nights

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Maine Cycling - Acadia National Park - Lodge Based
Day 1

Arrive in Bar Harbor, Maine and hike Acadia Mountain

This trip begins in Bangor, Maine. We meet our cycling companions in the morning at our host hotel in Bangor and transfer to Bar Harbor. After introductions and a picnic lunch, we will do our initial exploration of Acadia National Park on foot. We hike the Acadia Mountain Trail through the forest and along beautiful granite formations to reach the summit of Acadia Mountain.  Here we enjoy spectacular views of the ocean, islands and mountains. We wrap up our day with dinner in lively Bar Harbor. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 3 miles, elevation gain/loss: 700’. Transfer: 1.5 hours.

Day 2

Cycle Acadia’s Carriage Roads in the heart of Mount Desert Island

We cycle out the front door of our lodging into the park to begin our cycling adventure for the day. The Carriage Roads offer superb car-free cycling through the interior of Acadia National Park. Arched stone bridges and crushed stone trails make up the roads, built and gifted in the 1900s by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and family. The historic road system offers 45 miles of quiet, motor-free access for horses, pedestrians and bikes. We pedal through old-growth forests, over stone bridges, past numerous ponds and Eagle Lake. We stop at Jordan Pond, one of the park’s most pristine lakes surrounded by towering granite mountains.  After dinner we have time to explore the lively streets of Bar Harbor, its shops and galleries, before walking back to our lodging. All meals included.

Cycling: 12-30 miles on crushed stone roads, elevation gain/loss: 1000’-1,800’.

Day 3

Take a ferry to Winter Harbor and cycle the Schoodic Peninsula

The Schoodic Peninsula is the only part of Acadia National Park located on the mainland, separated from Mount Desert Island by Frenchman Bay.  Our day begins with a one-hour ferry ride from Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor.  Enjoy views of Egg Rock Light and watch for seals along the way.  After the ferry, we pedal to Schoodic Head for great views of the pounding waves and Cadillac Mountain.  From here, we continue cycling to the tiny fishing village of Corea for lunch overlooking the harbor.  Enjoy a lobster roll right off a lobster boat or other fresh seafood options. We cycle back to Winter Harbor and catch the ferry back to Bar Harbor. All meals included.

Cycling: 16 to 35 miles, paved roads, elevation gain/loss: 900’-,1671’.

Day 4

Kayak Blue Hill Bay

We head to the quieter side of Mount Desert Island for our kayaking excursion on Blue Hill Bay. Exploring the beauty and ecosystem of Maine on the open water is a one-of-a-kind experience. Our professional kayak guides will assess the tide and winds and create a one-way paddle to maximize time on the water.  The area offers many opportunities for wildlife viewing, including seals, porpoises, and bald eagles. Later this afternoon, explore Bar Harbor on our own or join our guide for an easy hike. Enjoy dinner on our own tonight. Breakfast and lunch included.

Kayaking:  ~ 3 hrs on protected water with waves, tides, currents.

Day 5

Rise early to experience sunrise at the summit of Cadillac Mountain and Cycle the Park Loop Road

Sleep in or rise early and shuttle up Cadillac Mountain to take in the epic sunrise from the summit. Enjoy views overlooking Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor, and scores of islands. An early morning ride lets us enjoy the beautiful Park Loop Road before the crowds arrive.  Along the route, visit park highlights like Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, and Sand Beach.   Enjoy one last lunch together before we say farewell to Acadia National Park and return to Bangor International Airport in the afternoon. Breakfast and lunch included.

Cycling: 24-31 miles, elevation gain/loss: 1,600’-2,600’.  Transfer: 1.5 hours.

Itinerary map for Maine Cycling - Acadia National Park - Lodge Based

Gear List

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Already booked this trip? Sign into your online traveler profile for a more detailed list of what you'll need.

REI members can shop for gently used gear online or at most REI stores. Members can also trade in pre-loved used gear online or at any REI store in exchange for REI gift card credit. Check out Re/Supply at REI to learn more.

We provide

  • Bike Trunk Bag
  • Drop Bar Gravel Bike
  • Flat Bar E-Bike
  • Flat Pedals
  • Hybrid / Urban Bike
  • Repair Kit, Including Spare Tube

What to pack

Contact Us

Feel free to give us a call at 1 (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales ( 1 (800) 426-4840 ) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out REI Expert Advice , which has great information to help you prepare for your trip.

Trip specifics may change over time. Reviews reflect the version of the trip that was active at the time the reviewer took it. Please review the itinerary as described above and call our team for any additional details.