When leaving the Visitors Center in Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain will be the first site you come to. It is not only the highest mountain in the park, at 1530 feet above sea level, but also on the Atlantic Seaboard, and amazingly you can drive up or hike to the summit. The trek is a beautiful three-mile winding road with incredible overlooks all along the way. As you ascend the mountain, the evergreens of the forest thins out and at the summit, the view of Bar Harbor and Frenchman’s Bay is breathtaking. If there is a bit of fog you can watch the fog flow over the city and the bay. Don’t reschedule your trip to the mountain if it is a foggy day as it can actually enhance the experience. Be sure to take a camera so you can take pictures in all directions as there is a 3/10 mile paved summit loop trail, which will allow you to see in all directions. If you are truly dedicated you can arrive early in the morning to see the sunrise. It’s a fascinating experience as the view from Cadillac Mountain is the first place on the east coast you can see the sunrise. To beat the crowds, an early arrival is best. By 11am or 12pm the crowds have gathered. On a crystal clear day you may be able to see Mount Kathadin which is about 100 miles away. You’ll also want to visit the gift shop on the summit for souvenirs of your hike up Cadillac Mountain.
