Maine’s Beehive Loop Ranks Among the 10 Best Fall Hikes in America

Fall is the most righteous time of year in Maine. The perfect harvest, beautiful weather, and lack of tourists create an unbeatable vibe, one that practically screams for us to take advantage of it.

That’s why it’s also the perfect time to get outside and enjoy everything that’s wonderful about Maine’s wilderness, especially the iconic Acadia National Park.

While Acadia can be a bit crazy during the summer, the crowds tend to thin out later in the fall, which is great for us natives looking to enjoy everything the park has to offer. And it just so happens to be home to one of the season’s best hikes.

Is Maine's Beehive Trail One of America's Best?

According to the popular outdoor site broadout.com, Acadia’s historic Beehive Trail is one of the best hikes in the entire country to enjoy during the fall.

How good is it? Well, the website claims it’s one of the 10 best, even listing it first. Talk about some serious bragging rights.

Beehive Loop delivers an outsized adventure in a compact distance. The climb rises above Sand Beach on steep granite, iron rungs, ladders, and exposed ledges before opening to views of the Gulf of Maine and Acadia’s autumn-colored hills.

The popular hiking site AllTrails rates the Beehive Trail as “hard” in difficulty. Still, despite its tough reputation, it holds an impressive 4.9 out of 5 rating. The trail offers sweeping views of Maine’s coastline, islands, and Acadia’s iconic Sand Beach, and it's also a favorite for birdwatchers.

How Popular is Acadia National Park's Beehive Trail?

It’s also one of the most popular hikes in the park, and it’s not unusual to encounter long queues at certain points along the trail. Because of its difficulty, it can take time to navigate many of the more technical sections. So if you're planning to tackle it, be sure to plan your time wisely, especially if you are heading during a peak time of year.

It’s pretty great to see the Beehive Loop included on this list. The trail represents everything that’s great about Maine, especially during the fall. Crisp air, autumn leaves, beautiful sunshine, and a challenging coastal mountain trail make for the perfect combination.

READ MORE: Maine’s Acadia National Park Ranks 7th in the Nation with Over 4 Million Visits

One other New England trail made the list: New Hampshire’s Franconia Ridge Loop, which is also exceptional. You can check out the entire list here.