This Is the Most Secluded Part of This Maine National Park

When I visit Maine, I always love visiting Acadia National Park—I'm actually planning to return to this stunning National Park as we speak! However, when it comes to seeing all it has to offer, I won't even get close. This park is truly sprawling; there are almost 250 trails to explore. Not only won't most avid hikers have tackled all of them, but there are whole areas of the park that the vast majority of visitors have never explored.

A perfect example is Isle au Haut, a beautiful island on the southern verge of Acadia. This peaceful island is only accessible by ferry, and it's where you'll find the most remote hike in Acadia National Park. Getting here is a journey, but it's a beautiful one, and that's where you'll find the Western Head and Cliff Trail. This 3.8-mile modern hike is challenging in some areas, but also surprisingly peaceful, and even during the busy season, you're likely to feel like it's your own little slice of paradise.

Arriving at Isle au Haut is quite the journey, involving taking a ferry from the mainland, but it's well worth it. While the mountains at Acadia are stunning, they're not the place you want to go to enjoy some solitude. A day hiking the trails and beaches on this peaceful island can be just the antidote for a busy vacation filled with tourism.

The island has several peaceful trails. We're fond of the Western Head and Cliff Trail, a laid-back 3.8-mile hike through the dense forest and the surrounding island. The trail has a 314-foot elevation gain, classifying it as moderate, and it can be done in less than an hour and a half. The area is known for its diverse vegetation and fungi—mushroom fans will get some amazing photo ops here!

The hike begins near Duck Harbor Campground and weaves in and out of the woods, taking you right up to the water, where the views of the Atlantic Ocean are some of the best around. The cliffs on Isle au Haut are some of the best hidden gems in all of Maine, and while the island is gaining in popularity as a hiking destination, it's almost never crowded.

The cobblestone beaches are a great final destination while exploring this peaceful island. It feels a world away from Maine's most crowded beaches, and it's a great place to truly be at one with nature. Skip a stone into the water and come away feeling like new.

Have you taken the journey over to Isle au Haut and hiked this unique trail? If not, tell an adventurous friend about this article and make some plans to explore! You can see more photos of this trail on the AllTrails trail listing, and make sure to check the official Acadia National Park website for all the information you need about getting to the island. When exploring remote trails, we always recommend a subscription to AllTrails+. The downloadable trail guides are invaluable for keeping track of your progress in areas where cell service may be spotty.