Cadillac North Ridge Trail Hiking Guide
Cadillac Mountain is the high point of Acadia National Park, and the North Ridge Trail is the shorter of its two ridge routes, starting from the Park Loop Road. Most of the climb is on bare pink granite with Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands spread out behind you. Because you arrive on foot, the summit road's timed vehicle reservation never applies to you.
Permit: Acadia requires an entrance pass year-round: $35 per private vehicle or $20 per person on foot or bike (age 16+), each valid 7 days, or a $70 Acadia annual pass. Non-US residents 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person unless entering on an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Hikers do not need the separate $6 Cadillac Summit Road vehicle reservation, which applies only to driving the summit road (May 20 to October 25 in 2026).
The Climb
NPS lists the hike at 4.4 miles round trip and 2.5 to 4 hours; AllTrails measures it at about 4.2 miles with roughly 1,140 feet of gain. The first mile is a gentle granite slope; then the trail ducks into woods, gets rockier and climbs a few sets of granite stairs. About 0.3 mile later it steepens and opens up for good. Follow blue blazes and the old Bates cairns, keep right at the fork just below the top, and you come out on the north side of the summit parking lot. The Summit Loop, a half-mile paved walk, wraps the east side, and the true summit marker sits a short way down the South Ridge Trail behind the gift shop.
Where to Start
The park recommends starting from the Island Explorer stop on the Park Loop Road: walk the Kebo Brook Trail 0.1 mile, turn up the stone stairs, cross the road and pick up the ridge trail. The other option is a small pull-off on the left just past the start of the one-way section toward Sand Beach, but parking there is extremely limited and fills early. The fare-free Island Explorer stops at the North Ridge trailhead from late June to mid-October; it does not go to the summit, so plan to walk back down or arrange a ride.
Pass, Not Reservation
Everyone 16 and older in the park needs an entrance pass, and cars must display one; the private-vehicle pass is $35 for seven days. The $6 Cadillac Summit Road reservation is only for people driving to the top between May 20 and October 25 in 2026, and walkers, cyclists and taxi passengers are exempt. If a friend is driving up to meet you, they need that reservation, and their vehicle can be no longer than 21 feet, bike racks included.
Sunrise on the Ridge
This is a favorite sunrise and sunset hike. NPS gives summit sunrise times from about 4:45 a.m. in mid-June to 6:15 a.m. in mid-October, which means climbing in the dark; carry a headlamp and warm layers, because weather on the peaks can be very different from Bar Harbor below. In winter the Park Loop Road is closed to cars from December 1 to April 14, the granite ices over, and NPS calls traction devices essential on snowy and icy trails.
Dogs and Services
Leashed dogs are allowed on the North Ridge, on a leash no longer than six feet; the park only flags Cadillac's west face as a poor route for pets. There are no accessible restrooms at the trailhead. At the top you will find restrooms and a gift shop, along with a lot of people who drove up.
Hiking tips for Cadillac North Ridge Trail
- Ride the Island Explorer to the North Ridge stop instead of hunting for one of the few pull-off spaces.
- Bring a headlamp if you plan to watch sunrise from the top; you will hike up in darkness.
- Keep right at the fork just below the summit to finish at the north parking lot.
- Pack a warm layer even in summer; summit weather can differ sharply from town.
- Make a loop by descending the Gorge Path, but expect a steep boulder section on it.
Nearby trails to explore
- Cadillac South Ridge Trail
- Beehive Loop (Acadia)
- Precipice Loop (Acadia)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Sunrise on Cadillac is better with someone to share the dark climb. Use TrailMates to find hikers heading to the Cadillac North Ridge in Acadia. Download the TrailMates app to connect.