Acadia National Park Bike Trip, Maine, USA

Tour the Schoodic Peninsula by Bike on Your Next Maine Vacation

Feb 13, 2009

A bicycling trip around the Schoodic Peninsula is a fabulous 13-mile ride with dramatic views of Maine's rugged, rock-bound coast and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean.

The Schoodic Peninsula is the easternmost section of world-renowned Acadia National Park. The bike loop around the peninsula is well worth adding to your Maine vacation!

High summer in Maine is July and August. However, bikers should also consider late September/early October for the cooler temperatures, less congestion, fewer insects, and the advent of the picturesque fall foliage season (peak color is mid-October).

Bike Trip Details

The 13-mile loop is set in rolling hills on paved roads. Schoodic has spectacular scenery, so bikers should allow plenty of time to stop at whim. The ride is relatively easy, but only include young children if they are comfortable on a bike in traffic situations.

Start in Winter Harbor at Fraser Point, which has parking, a picnic area, shore access, drinking water, and restrooms. Cycle first to Schoodic Point, situated at the very tip of the peninsula with expansive views of the Atlantic. Time to explore! Climb the wide, wave-pounded granite and basalt ledges, soak up the sun, or just kick back and contemplate how sweet life is at this breathtaking spot.

The loop travels along the ocean edge, through forests, and past the small villages of Bunker Harbor and Birch Harbor. Stop to snap a photo, walk a pebbly beach, bird watch, or take a break on the rocky outcroppings next to surf and spray. The last 2.5 miles are on the faster-paced Route 186 before returning to Fraser Point.

Bikers can also enjoy a longer, 29-mile loop that starts in West Gouldsboro, incorporates the above 13-mile loop, winds its way through Prospect Harbor, and returns to West Gouldsboro. These routes are detailed at the Explore Maine website.

Bicycling Vacation and Beyond

Maine’s Gem – Acadia National Park: Stop at Hulls Cove Visitor Center on Route 3 for information. Travel the 27-mile Park Loop Road for gorgeous views at every turn. Use the free Island Explorer shuttle; riders can take bikes and get off when and where desired. There are 45 miles of Carriage Roads created by the Rockefellers in the days when Acadia was a summer resort for the wealthy. Hike, bike, go by horseback! Up for a challenge? Bike the access road to Cadillac Mountain, the highest spot on the eastern seaboard. Or hike the Precipice Trail, a 1,000 foot vertical climb up Champlain Mountain. Ready for relaxation? Head to Jordan Pond House for its traditional afternoon tea on the lawn (and don’t forget to order the famous popovers). Visit the Acadia National Park website for visitor information.

Bustling Bar Harbor: Avoid the driving and parking hassles in Bar Harbor and take the ferry (water taxi) from Winter Harbor across Frenchman Bay directly to downtown Bar Harbor. The ferry trip takes about 45 minutes and provides close-ups of islands, lobster boats, and lighthouses. Bar Harbor is nestled on the east side of Mt. Desert Island and is an upscale tourist destination. Visitors can stroll the one-mile Shore Path on the edge of the Atlantic, enjoy a Maine lobster with melted butter, or take a sunset cruise on a four-masted schooner.

Maine Fishing Village: Corea still retains the feel of an old-fashioned Maine fishing village. It’s located on Route 195, east of Schoodic. Visitors will find few tourist amenities, but can get a glimpse of the way life used to be on the Maine coast.

The copyright of the article Acadia National Park Bike Trip, Maine, USA in Bicycle Touring Routes is owned by Cheryl Pratt. Permission to republish Acadia National Park Bike Trip, Maine, USA in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.