One of our top hikes was in Acadia National Park, Maine

April 5, 12:27 PMNew England Fitness ExaminerJo Levy

One of our friends said that everyone should see the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Maine. I have to agree with him. My slideshow is a tour but below is a review on one must do hike.

One of the most challenging and beautiful hikes we have every done was in Acadia National Park. It happened to be in our early days of hiking. The pictures below are from our many trips since our first hike without enough water!

Although all four peaks do not have to be climbed we decided to. This hike is considered strenuous. The mountains are Bald, Parkman, Gilmore and Sargent. The name of the trail is Peak-Baggers’ Delight. It is only 4 miles but  felt like 20. It was considered a 3.5 hours trip and it took us 7.

Sargent Mountain is Acadia’s second highest peak. Wild blueberries are everywhere so bring a container to collect them in. The experience is hard to describe. There aren't enough positive adjectives. Each mountain is different; each hike different. All the trails are marked in blue but some better than others. One of these mountains very few people attempt. Although there are rangers “down below” to help and answer questions you will find nothing here. They are primitive and fabulous. In spite of the fact this was the height of the season, there were few people doing this hike particularly on Gilmore Mountain.

From the book Discover Acadia National Park  "The entire hike from Gilmore to Sargent feels wilder than other areas on Mount Desert Island because it is a relatively difficult place to reach by Acadia National Park Standards."

Without a book you can’t do these hikes – trust me on this one. Even with the book and following it we got lost twice and were concerned we wouldn’t get back before sunset. Be prepared please! (I got stung by a bee, which was something that never happened to me.) If I had been allergic there is no doubt I’d be dead.

Photos: Jo Levy