Maine’s Bowl Trail Leads To A Magnificent Hidden Oasis
One could argue that all of Maine is a hidden oasis. If they did, they’d certainly be correct. Between the sea and the forest and all the things there are to enjoy between the two, there’s never a lack of beauty here. While much of it can be found in our own backyards, we love a little adventure. Especially when that adventure truly is little. This hike is shorter than you’d expect and it leads to one of the most refreshing secret spots in the state.
Seeing photos of The Bowl, a beautiful pond in Acadia National Park, might lead you to believe it's hard to reach.
The route is well-maintained, though there are some natural rocks. There's also a bit of an incline leading to an elevation gain of about 450 feet. The trail is typically rated somewhere between easy and moderate.
About 0.2 miles along the trail you'll come to a connection with the much more strenuous Beehive Trail. This one is a doozy and includes iron rungs to climb up rocks, so avoid it if you're not an experienced hiker. If you do want to tackle it, you'll head towards the right here. To stick with the Bowl Trail, head left.
The best part is that you'll be in Acadia already which means there's more to enjoy if you have time to stick around.
The Bowl Trail can be accessed year-round, but not surprisingly those who have done it say it’s best in the spring, summer and fall unless you’re comfortable with winter hiking. You can learn more about it on alltrails.com. And don’t forget to bring the pups! Just make sure they’re on a leash at all times.
Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.