The Carriage Roads of Acadia
Witness the park’s iconic beauty on two wheels.
Carriage Roads and Routes
Mount Desert Island, home to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, provides some of the most beautiful bicycling routes anywhere in the United States. From gently rolling terrain bordering the rugged coastline to hard-cranking mountain slopes, there's a route for every biking enthusiast.
Most people choose the island's lovely carriage roads, which are closed to all motorized traffic. Upset by a decision to allow automobiles onto the island in the early part of the 20th century, John D. Rockefeller Jr. set out to build a 45-mile-long series of roads on which all cars would be banned. The resulting roads took years to complete, and they have recently undergone a multi-million-dollar refurbishing. The hard-packed gravel surfaces are ideal for mountain biking, and at Acadia Bike we provide complimentary maps of the roads.
Our bike shop professionals and customer service representatives will be happy to discuss the best routes to make your day remarkable.
All riders must have an Acadia National Park pass (one vehicle covers four riders). Click HERE to buy your pass online.
To aid in your planning, check out the Carriage Road map below.
Which Carriage Road route is right for you?
Eagle Lake Loop- 5.9 miles, moderate
Witch Hole Pond Loop- 3.0 miles, moderate
Tri-Lakes Loop- 10.9 miles, moderate
Around the Mountain Loop- 11.3 miles, challenging
Day Mountain Loop- 5.3 miles, challenging
Hadlock Loop- 4.2 miles, challenging
Ampitheatre Loop- 4.4 miles, challenging
Acadia’s Park Loop Road
MANY PEOPLE LIKE TO BIKE THE FAMOUS PARK LOOP ROAD, A 22-MILE-LONG PAVED SECTION THAT INCLUDES SEVERAL MILES ALONG OCEAN DRIVE, WHERE THE CRASHING ATLANTIC MEETS THE GRANITE COAST OF ACADIA. BECAUSE THIS ROAD IS HEAVILY TRAVELED BY CARS AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, WE RECOMMEND THAT ONLY EXPERIENCED CYCLISTS USE IT -- AND THEN ONLY WITH CAUTION.
Park Loop Road Map
If you’re E-Biking with us, another option for bike riding is the Park Loop Road. The Park Loop Road is recommended for experienced bikers and is not recommended for children. Only people who are fully comfortable riding in the road with traffic and without a bike lane should choose to bike the Park Loop Road.