Precipice Trail, Champlain Mountain in Acadia National Park

This is the most challenging and well known hiking trail in Acadia National Park with an exposed and almost vertical 1,000 foot climb up the east face of Champlain Mountain. The trail is only recommended for physically fit and experienced hikers who have no fear of heights. The Precipice parking area is at the base of the Precipice cliff on the east side of Mount Desert Island about 1 mile north of the Schooner Head entrance fee station on the Park Loop Road. We suggest that you do not hike this trail alone and that you verify weather conditions before the climb.

The hiking trail has many rungs and ladders along the trail's length and is approximately 1.6 mile/2.6 km round trip. It can be closed late spring through mid-August due to the returning and endangered peregrine falcons so check with the National Park Service on this. Often, during this time, (Monday through Friday) there will be a Park naturalist at the Precipice parking area leading discussions and allowing people to view the falcons through a telescope.

Refer to the Acadia Hiking Trails page for suggestions and rules while hiking in Acadia National Park.

Precipice Parking Area GPS: Latitude 44.349485; Longitude -68.187919

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