Hiking in Acadia: Jordan Pond

Travel

Jun 4

Hi. My name is Katie Dobies. I am a former flight attendant and photographer from upstate New York residing in Downeast Maine. I love to share my love of travel and nature through beautiful photography. Sometimes I add words which lands us here at my travel blog, Through The Lens.

Stock Photo Queen photographer Katie Dobies overlooking Jordan Pond from South Bubble Summit.

Recently I hiked the Jordan Pond Loop Trail in Acadia National Park. It is a popular 3.5 mile trail along the perimeter of picturesque Jordan Pond. Parking can be difficult during the busy months. Arrive early or take the Island Explorer in Hulls Cove. It will drop you right off in front of the Jordan Pond House. At the Jordan Pond ‘hub’ there is also access to carriage roads and other hikes, and, of course a snack of traditional popovers and tea at the Jordan Pond House.

To hike the pond loop trail, walk towards the backyard of the restaurant and down the hill to your first breathtaking view of with Jordan Pond with the pretty Bubble Mountains on the far end. From there, choose to go either left or right around the pond. I chose to go right according to the morning lighting and lingering fog. An Imax film crew was also shooting on that side, a confirmation that’s the better direction for morning hikes! Nearby were loons floating in the water and deer gracefully galloping in the woods. Nature’s soundtrack played the sound of gentle splashing of water along the shores. It was harmonic. My footsteps joined in the beat.

Hiking in Acadia is some of the best in the US. Much care and preservation has gone into making trails that last even with the thousands of footsteps trekked on them every year. The trails have variety like walking on raised planks and granite stepping stones, hand crafted wooden bridges, and more. Due to the length, I would still consider the Jordan Pond Loop a moderate hike due to the length. It could take over two hours.

Rustic wooden bridge protects a beaver dam on Jordan Pond trail.

Wooden planks on the Jordan Pond trail help preserve the delicate shores.

Gravel section of trail along Jordan Pond.

Along the loop, there are several side trails connecting to other trails like the Bubbles and Penobscot. The Bubble Rock and Summit side trail sounded interesting. It was only a short .4 miles up for a view of Jordan Pond…I was up for it. This trail was all rock scrambling and some climbing up and down holding onto a metal rung. I got a little cardio on this short spur but that ‘Ta-Daaaaaa’ moment of seeing Jordan Pond from on high in all its morning glory was worth the sweat. I threw my arms up in the air at the awesomeness of the view.

The fun part, rock scrambling! Blue markers guide the way.

Breathtaking view of Jordan Pond from South Bubble summit.

I hope you enjoy the photos and they help to inspire your visit to Acadia National Park in Maine.

I saved my favorite photo for last. If you love these photos, order prints or download as stock photos for your creative needs. My mission at stockphotoqueen.com is to make beautiful photography available at your fingertips.