Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park

Length: 3.3-mile loop
Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Level trail with extremely rocky terrain on the west side

The Jordan Pond Path circles Jordan Pond at Acadia National Park. While flat, the west side of the trail runs below the cliffs of Penobscot Mountain, and plenty of rockslides have occurred throughout history, making it necessary to hike over extremely rocky terrain. However, most people can enjoy views of the pond along the east side of the trail.

For those looking for a challenge, at the northeast end of the pond is the Bubbles Trail, a strenuous trail that leads to the summits of the South and North Bubbles, two mountains of around 800 feet in elevation. Between the two is the Bubble Divide, a trail that leads back down to the north end of the Jordan Pond Path. After reaching the summit of the North Bubble, you can return to the pond on this trail and complete the loop around it. See the Bubbles Trail and Jordan Pond Path Loop Hike web page for more information.

View of the Bubbles from the Jordan Pond House at Acadia National Park

Bubbles Trail / Jordan Pond Path map (click to enlarge)

I started the hike from the lawn of the Jordan Pond House where guests dine for lunch on tea and popovers. A well-manicured gravel walkway connects to the Jordan Pond Path a tenth of a mile away.

Path from the Jordan Pond House lawn to Jordan Pond at Acadia National Park

I suggest starting the hike on the east side of the pond (take a right when you reach the water), especially if you have mobility problems, because the terrain is level and the trail surface is smooth. This type of terrain continues to the north end, giving most everyone a chance to get at least halfway around Jordan Pond.

Typical terrain on the east side of Jordan Pond Path at Acadia National Park

Unfortunately, there are gaps in the trail for water to flow through that are not bridged, which eliminates even the easy east side for those in wheelchairs. This also affects those out for a leisurely stroll while pushing a baby carriage; you must lift the carriage over these gaps.

Example of the many gaps in the Jordan Pond Path at Acadia National Park

A quarter mile into the hike is a dam that spans the mouth of a small creek, one of two places where water exits Jordan Pond on the south end.

Dam at the south end of Jordan Pond at Acadia National Park

Creek at the south end of Acadia National Park’s Jordan Pond

On the other side of the dam is the intersection with the Bubble and Jordan Pond Path Trail. This is an actual name for a trail, and it has nothing to do with the Bubbles Trail or the Jordan Pond Path, so I don’t know why it was given a name that would cause confusion. Anyway, skip it and continue walking around the pond.

Intersection with the Jordan Pond Path and the Bubble and Jordan Pond Path Trail at Acadia National Park

At 1.2 miles into the hike is the intersection with the Bubbles Trail. A footbridge spans a small feeder stream just prior to the turn. As mentioned earlier, this is the trail that leads to the top of the South and North Bubbles.

Footbridge at the intersection of the Jordan Pond Path and Bubbles Trail, Acadia National Park

Four tenths of a mile later is the intersection with the Bubble Divide. Those who take my Bubbles Trail and Jordan Pond Path Loop Hike will rejoin the Jordan Pond Path at this location.

Intersection of the Bubble Divide and Jordan Pond Path at Acadia National Park

Just past the Bubble Divide intersection is the creek that provides Jordan Pond with water. A small footbridge spans the creek.

Footbridge over a small creek at the north end of Acadia National Park’s Jordan Pond

The west side of the Jordan Pond Path is no cakewalk like the east side. The trail doesn’t start off too badly, but wait until you get a little farther down.

Start of the rocky terrain on the west side of Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park

You will eventually come to areas where rockslides have completely covered the trail. The first instance has been fixed up so that the rocks are flat and you don’t have to step up and over them that often.

First rockslide on the Jordan Pond Path at Acadia National Park

However, the second rockslide almost forces hikers into the water.

Jordan Pond Path at Acadia National Park nearly falls into the pond at a second rock slide on the west side of the trail

Just after the second rockslide, the shoreline makes a big curve to the left, and from this point much of the trail is along an elevated boardwalk. I’m not sure if this is to keep hikers out of wet terrain or above the rocks and roots on the trail. Some of the planks are a little wobbly, so be prepared to be thrown off balance from time to time. The planked trail runs nearly all the way back to the start. It is only on the last quarter mile that the trail once again becomes a well-manicured gravel path.

Plank boardwalk runs along most of the southwest end of the Jordan Pond Path at Acadia National Park

Back to the Top