Jordan Cliffs and Pemetic Mountain Loop Hike at Acadia National Park

Registration is required for this activity. For more information and to sign up please visit the trip posting on AMC's Outdoors Connector.

This is a 6.3-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of approximately 1,900’ on the higher trails and peaks surrounding Jordan Pond at Acadia National Park. The first leg of this route begins at Jordon Pond House, proceeds up a section of the Spring Trail, crosses the Jordan Cliffs Trail, and descends along the Deer Brook Trail to the north end of Jordon Pond. The Jordan Cliffs Trail is closed annually between April and August to protect nesting Peregrine Falcons, so this is an excellent opportunity to access it. It is very exposed, runs 1.4 miles, and rises up to 900’ in elevation. We will be hiking on narrow ledges along a cliff face that reaches 500’ above Jordan Pond. This trail includes rock scrambling, iron rung ladders, and a very narrow foot bridge.
The next leg takes us .6 mile up the steep and recently refurbished Bubbles Divide Trail, with its 542 new granite steps. Along the way we’ll take a brief side trip to South Bubble to see Balance Rock (a large glacial erratic) and take in the view of the Jordan Pond area. From there we will proceed to the Pemetic Northwest Trail. This .6-mile trail to the summit is the steepest part of the hike and includes two ladders to assist in hiking through a narrow gorge. Pemetic Mountain has arguably the best views in all of Acadia Park. We will then descend along the Pemetic South Ridge Trail and close the loop back to Jordan Pond on the Bubble and Jordan Ponds Path.
This hike has spectacular views throughout and offers unique perspectives of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains, the Atlantic Ocean, and the coastal islands. The weather in late September and the chance to see a little early fall foliage make this a wonderful time of year to hike here.
Due to the varied treadway, elevation gain, and distance, this will be a slow and challenging hike and is rated Vigorous. If you are afraid of heights or have Vertigo, the Jordan Cliffs Trail would be daunting. Our pace will be 40-50 minutes per mile. Including lunch and breaks, expected duration is 5-6 hours.

Registration is required for this activity. For more information and to sign up please visit the trip posting on AMC's Outdoors Connector.