Reviewing Hiking Trails of Maine: Gorham Mountain Trail

I'll always begin every hiking trail review with the time, date and the weather on that date, as they can have a significant impact on any experience.

My 16-year-old dog and I hiked Gorham Mountain Trail in Acadia National Park on Saturday, May 26th, 2024 (Memorial Day Weekend), beginning at 3pm and ending around 5:30pm. It was partly sunny skies with temperatures in the upper 60s. The hike is a moderate 4-miles. Here was our experience.

Locating Gorham Mountain Trail in Maine and Finding Parking

I use the AllTrails app to not only locate trails around me wherever I am, but also to get quick directions to any trail. Why do the work when someone else already has? It's $35 annually and serves as an aggregate of hiking trails worldwide. This was EXTREMELY helpful while in Coast Rica. I typed in Gorham Mountain Trail, clicking on get directions, and Apple Maps did the rest.

I was prepared for traffic and crowds because of the holiday weekend, and knew I was in trouble when I didn't hear a single New England accent during a quick stop in Bar Harbor. It's easy to get frustrated at tourists and increased population, but when you live in a beautiful place, people are going to want to see it.

For a holiday weekend, I was probably only delayed 15 minutes - not bad at all. I did arrive later in the day at 3pm but was still shocked to see so much available parking at my destination. NO public restrooms on this trail, but lots of privacy in the woods. Something to keep in mind if you are having spicy foods the night before hiking.

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Any Hike in Maine Should Require a Few Basic Items in the Backpack

Bug spray that will repel ticks and mosquitos, collapsable water bowl (if you are bringing along a dog, or prefer to drink out of a bowl), pocketknife, flashlight (just in case), emergency blanket, and plenty of water. Oh, and don't forget your camera/phone for photos of course and in case of emergency. I keep a hardcase on my phone as it has taken some bad tumbles on rocks, and iPhones are far from cheap.

I have boots that I usually hike in, but I had read that this was a moderate hike. I was able to complete this hike in Brooks running shoes with no issue or discomfort, but I could see how some may prefer a shoe or boot with more padding as there are a lot of rocks to climb over and walk on. As always, tell someone where and when you are going, especially if hiking alone.

Can Dogs Hike Gorham Mountain Trail in Maine?

My dog, Moo, is 16 and had a great time. We did take 3 breaks for water and another break to sit on the cliffs for roughly 10-minutes. There were no complaints from me as the views were spectacular. These photos, as they often don't, do not portray how truly beautiful the views are as seen with your own eyes.

There were two areas where I had to lift Moo up over the rocks. We kept a pretty good pace and even jogged in some areas. Can all breeds do this hike? If your dog is fit, I'd say yes. Keep in mind, you can always turn back if it gets too difficult in lieu of completing the 4-mile loop. It's only about 1.3 miles to the top of Gorham Mountain and the views.

How Was Hiking Gorham Mountain Trail in Maine?

Out of 10, I rate this hike a solid 9. There were so many positives about this trail. The foliage and the views of the ocean and Sand Beach were the top 3. In fact, the end of the decline before looping back to the parking lot is Sand Beach. Any trail where you can either get a beneficial 2-hour workout or take a little longer and enjoy time with the whole family is a huge W for me.

The negatives are fairly miniscule. If you don't pay attention, you could possibly wander off course and get lost. There are blue markers to keep you headed in the right direction. And the last mile and a half of the trail goes parallel with the cliffs and ocean, and the main road, which means more crowds and cars going by. I prefer that when getting lost in nature, to be away from noise pollution, but like I said, that is very petty when considering the views and the cliffs.

Below are some photos of the Gorham Mountain Trail from start to finish, including Sand Beach. I 100% recommend this trail!