Moderate Hiking, 2.2 miles one-wayThe trail ends, of course, on the 1,528-foot summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak in the park, and highest point along the eastern seaboard.
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A half-mile loop circling the top of Cadillac Mountain provides an easy way for those who have driven to the summit to see the spectacular views afforded from the mountaintop.
For the most part, the trail is easy to follow. But there are sections over bare granite where you'll need to look for cairns and blazes to find the way. A 3.5-mile paved road twists to Cadillac Mountain's summit.
The easiest and most popular way to reach the summit of Cadillac Mountain is to drive. Cadillac Summit Road is a two lane, paved road. It winds up to the summit and has several scenic viewpoints along the way. However, there are a few important things to know before driving this road.
The reservation system was designed as a tool to improve the visitor experience, ensure visitor safety, and protect park resources. Reservations are NOT required for visitors to Cadillac Mountain who enter by foot or bike.
To drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, enter the park at the Cadillac Mountain Entrance (the intersection of Eagle Lake Road/Route 223 and the Park Loop Road) and head south on the Park Loop Road. (The Park Loop Road is two-way in this section of the park.)
You can reach the Cadillac summit by private vehicle, guided bus tour, taxi, hiking, or biking. Cadillac is not served by the Island Explorer bus system. It is a windy, paved 3.5 miles up to the summit. Along the way, there are several scenic pullouts to enjoy the view.
At 1530 feet (466 m) tall, Cadillac is the tallest mountain on the eastern seaboard of the United States! It is also the first place to see the sunrise in the U.S. in the winter. For thousands of years, people have climbed Cadillac Mountain and looked out from its lofty peak.
Visit Cadillac MountainAccessible by car, it is the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the U.S., and offers magnificent views of a glaciated coastal and island landscape. The short, paved Cadillac Summit Loop Trail, interpretive waysides, restrooms, and gift shop are located at the summit.
Cadillac Mountain is one of more than 20 mountains on Mount Desert Island, and at 1,530 feet, it's the highest point along the North Atlantic seacoast. It's worth the trek to witness the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain.
The winding road from the Park Loop Road at the base of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park that leads to the summit is approximately 3.5 miles long.
Perhaps the best spot on Cadillac Mountain to watch the sunset is Blue Hill Overlook, the last pullout a quarter-mile before the top of the mountain. But if you can't beat 'em (to Cadillac Mountain for an epic Acadia sunset), join 'em!
You can also catch the shuttle up on Cadillac's summit area at the taxi stand, outside the concession and bathroom area. The shuttle leaves the summit area on the 1/2 hour, with boarding about 5 mins before leaving. The shuttle operates on a 1st come, 1st serve basis with round trip ticket holders having priority.