Hike – Shore Path

Looking towards Bar Island on The Shore Path

Some folks like getting away from all the people on the streets of downtown Bar Harbor by taking a walk along The Shore Path.  This path has existed for more than 130 years so that “genteel folks” could enjoy themselves.  This post describes a loop that will also take you through the main street of Bar Harbor (which most everyone walks anyway.)

Directions – Rather than try to park right downtown, where spots can sometimes be hard to find, start to drive south out of Bar Harbor on Route 3.  Keep watching to the left.  In a few streets you will see a sign with a white “H” on a blue background indicating a hospital.  This is Wayman Lane.  Park in one of the spots opposite this on the main street.  In addition to usually being open, they also have the advantage of no time limit.  While the Shore Path does not take long to walk, stopping at all the shops in Bar Harbor does.

Cross the street and walk down Wayman Lane.  At the end of it you will see a large sign indicating the start of the Shore Path.  There will be a fence on the right.  Do not try to climb over it since this is private property.  In fact, the entire Shore Path runs along the edge of private, ocean-front property, but the owners graciously allow the town to maintain this historic walking path.

One of the properties along The Shore Path

In a few hundred feet you will come to the ocean.  There are views out to the Porcupine Islands.  There are sometimes cruise ships in the harbor, as there was the day I did it.  Turn left and walk along the ocean.  The path is wide and well maintained.  It is crushed stone, not pavement.  There is a small retaining wall, but this does mean a drop of a few feet onto rocks in some places, so you still need to watch your step.

First view of the ocean from The Shore Path

The Shore Path

Coming to a bend in the path

A view of the harbor from The Shore Path

Continue along the path at a leisurely pace.  This is meant to be experienced, not gotten over with.  Look back now and then for views further down the coast.  Look away from the ocean at some of the homes.  The day I walked this there was one that was for sale.  As Ferris Bueller said, “If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”

Looking down the coast from The Shore Path

Anyone got some spare change?

I just liked the juxtaposition of these two objects

The path ends at the pier in Bar Harbor.  Across the water is Bar Island.  You can read about a walk out to the island during low tide here.  Looking uphill towards the town you can see a small park that attracts people who want to picnic, or just get some sun, all while having great views of the harbor.

Coming to the end of The Shore Path

Looking back along the path from the pier

Start up through this park.  When you come to a fountain you are transitioning into the downtown area of Bar Harbor.  There are shops all along both sides of the street, and down many side streets.  Depending on the time of year, and whether there is a cruise ship in the harbor, there may be quite a few people here.  You may just want to go directly back to your car, but most people stop at shops that look interesting.

View of the harbor from the park

The fountain at the corner of the park on Main Street

The reason I suggest doing the Shore Path in this direction (most guides start you at the pier) is that it allows you to make purchases after you have had your pleasant walk along the ocean.  Trying to carry purchases along it would lessen the experience.  Some people have even gotten so caught up in shopping that they have abandoned plans to walk the path entirely.  This way you can just continue along Main Street all the way back to where you parked your car.  Because it is parked somewhere with no time limit you can spend as much time as you want in Bar Harbor.

Cumulative distance:             1.8 miles round trip

Cumulative elevation gain:   50 feet (on Main Street – the Shore Path is flat)

Cumulative duration:           1-4 hours (depending on your shopping time in Bar Harbor)

Acadia Hiking Guide