Beehive to Nature Center in Acadia National Park, ME

Hike Beehive to Nature Center Acadia National Park, ME

Class 2 3.4 miles 1200 gain 2-4 hrs Shuttle Aug 16, 2013
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Beehive to Nature Center GPX Track

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Take a shuttle to the Sand Beach and hike back to your car at the Nature Center.

A short hike that traverses in a rollercoaster-like fashion through Acadia National Park along one major ridge that allows for outstanding 360 degree views of the low mountains and distant ocean almost the whole time. At one point, you summit Champlain Mountain, which is the "end" of the Precipice Trail, a more popular hike. Pass a relaxing pond along the way, and enjoy the Beehive, which offers a watered-down version of the Precipice Trial's famous ladders and rungs. This hike is great because you can start in one spot and end somewhere else where a shuttle can pick you up, likely the biggest plus of Bar Harbor, a tourist haven of a town, being so nearby.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
The Beehive
540 ft
100 rise

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Starting up the Beehive Trail, looking out at Sand Beach, and back toward the trailhead.
Starting up the Beehive Trail, looking out at Sand Beach, and back toward the trailhead.
Sand beach in the distance. This is the sketchiest part of the Beehive Trail. Still has plenty of metal rungs if you need them.
Sand beach in the distance. This is the sketchiest part of the Beehive Trail. Still has plenty of metal rungs if you need them.
At the top of the "Beehive", before beginning the ascent up Champlain Mountain.
At the top of the "Beehive", before beginning the ascent up Champlain Mountain.
At the top of The Beehive looking out to the ocean. Champlain Mount is up to the left.
At the top of The Beehive looking out to the ocean. Champlain Mount is up to the left.
At The Bowl, a pretty lake nestled within the Acadia hills.
At The Bowl, a pretty lake nestled within the Acadia hills.
More of The Bowl.
More of The Bowl.
Looking down at The Bowl from the ascent to Champlain.
Looking down at The Bowl from the ascent to Champlain.
Summit of Champlain Mountain.
Summit of Champlain Mountain.
At the top of Champlain Mountain looking toward Sand Beach, and the trailhead.
At the top of Champlain Mountain looking toward Sand Beach, and the trailhead.
Summit of Champlain Mountain before descending to the Nature Center
Summit of Champlain Mountain before descending to the Nature Center

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!