All Trips > Maine > Maine and Acadia National Park Hiking Adventure Maine and Acadia National Park Hiking Adventure Book Your Maine Trip AT A GLANCE Maine 9 Explorer Chicks Locally Unique, Glamping Glamping, Hiking, National Park, Paddling, US-Based, Water Sports, Wildlife 7 Days 2 - Moderately Active Physical demand level for this trip Exploration, Exhilaration, and Eleanor! Photos Itinerary Logistics Activity Level What's Included Book Your Maine Trip Share Exploration, Exhilaration, and Eleanor! Get ready for non-stop whiffs of sweet pine as you hike the startingly beautiful coastlines of Maine and Acadia National Park. This 7-day women’s trip takes you far away from a world where everyone needs you… and it includes a sneaky visit into Canada. It all starts in Portland, Maine where we rendezvous, exchange bff necklaces, and hop in the SHE-nanigan Shuttle to our first hike… which is THE best hike. We’ll scale the famous iron rungs of The Beehive, peer into the crystal-clear waters of Bowl Pond, and gape at stunning shoreline cliffs as we explore Gorham Mountain and Sand Beach. Next we’ll scramble the summits of The Bubbles, eat our body weight in seafood in Bar Harbor, and spend an entire day exploring Acadia via sea kayak. Bald eagles, porpoises, otters, and seals send their love and may even pose for a photo thanks to the glorious nature freaks leading our aqua-safari. We’ll tiptoe into the quietside of Acadia, where crowds never reach. And you’ll get your unmissable photo of Somesville Bridge, dammit! At the end of each day, you’ll rest your gorgeous head at our epic Glampsite. Enjoy real beds, ensuite bathrooms, hot showers, good coffee, and the best laughs of your life. Leave the cooking and the backcountry picnics to us. When we leave our Glampsite after four nights, we’ll enjoy one more hike along the Bold Coast Trail, brimming with badass drop-offs and gorgeous views of the Bay of Maine. We’ll break for beers and battered cod in the darling seaside town of Lubec, Maine. And then we’ll whip out our passports to casually cross into Canada like it’s another Tuesday. This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. For two nights, we’ll stay in a historic cottage and working museum inside Roosevelt Campobello International Park, the grounds where Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s magnificent summer home is preserved! Fangirl over Eleanor, one of the OG feminists and human rights activists, as we explore the places she called home and even enjoy afternoon tea in her honor. So much First Lady energy! We’ll sneak in a sunrise lighthouse hike and explore more of the epic shoreline of New Brunswick before our last East Coast supper. Can we change our names and stay here foreverrrr? Photos Itinerary Expand All Days Day 1 - Portland to Acadia National Park Kinda ambitious for Day 1 but considering It takes months of journaling and sometimes therapy for women to treat themselves to a solo adventure… we don’t waste a second. Your women-only adventure kicks off with THE best hike in Acadia, filled with rugged shoreline, trees bursting through granite, and chicks who do their own stunts. We’ll meet and fangirl at our rendezvous hotel in Portland at 7am and make our way north to Acadia National Park (3ish hour drive). Hop in the SHE-nanigan Shuttle as we mentally prepare for technical vertical rock faces and steep sloping cliffs. The climb starts challenging as we scale the famous iron rungs of the Beehive. You’ll need a strong stomach for heights as we scramble to the top for breathtaking vistas of Sand Beach, Great Head, and Frenchman Bay. We’ll go slowly and intentionally as a group, encouraging one another throughout the loop. It’s a short descent to The Bowl, a crazy-clear mountain pond nestled just below The Beehive. From here the hike is peaceful and insanely picturesque. After we blow our phones up with photos, we’ll head to our home for the next 4 nights––a gorgeous Glampground tucked between the pines. Far away from speaker-blaring crowds, we’ll enjoy solace in our luxury tents. Enjoy all the comforts of home including en suite bathrooms, showers, coffee makers, and heat/ac! Elevation Gain: 784’ Distance: 3.5 miles Hiking Time: 4 hours Transfer: 3 hours Accommodations: Glamping Meals: L-D Day 2 - Hiking The Bubbles and Jordan Pond After a hearty backcountry breakfast, we’ll make our way to two small, shapely mountains at the north end of Jordan Pond. Our hike begins with a 1 mile loop around the pond before starting our trek to The Bubbles. Like the rest of Acadia, the trail is steep with jagged boulders, rocks, and vertical climbs as far as the eye can see. We’ll utilize our new scrambling skills as we work toward not one but TWO summits with gorgeous views over Jordan Pond. We’ll enjoy plenty of glamor shots beside a large glacial erratic (rock that a glacier deposited) that hangs on the edge of the south Bubble. We’ll finish the loop ending at the Jordan Pond House and do a quick vibe check. If we’re feeling greedy, we can explore more trails in the park or wander around the town of Bar Harbor. If the dogs are barking, we can unwind around a campfire while eating all the carbs. Elevation Gain: 976’ Distance: 4.6 miles Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Accommodations: Glamping Meals: B-L-D Day 3 - Coastal Sea Kayaking Today we trade crunchy trails for snorting potbelly seals. After breakfast, we’ll meet up with our kayaking guides/master nature interpreters in Bar Harbor. These superhumans can spot floating otters a quarter mile away and make kayaking accessible to total beginners. If you can hold a paddle and endure a wet butt, you can glide with your fellow Explorer Chicks! Keep your eyes peeled for harbor seals, porpoises, grey seals, eagles, crabs, and maybe even a few rogue seastars as we float through the quietside of Acadia. Routes depend on the weather, wind, and changing tides, but include paddling routes through Western Bay, Blue Hill Bay, and Somes Sound. Our guides pay close attention to currents and breezes to ensure an enjoyable paddle. After our kayaking adventure, you get the night to yourself to explore the shopping, breweries, and mind-blowing seafood of Bar Harbor. Kayaking Distance: 5-7 miles Kayaking Time: 4 hours Accommodations: Glamping Meals: B-L Day 4 - Hike the Quietside After breakfast at camp, we’ll escape the crowds to explore more of the quietside of Acadia. Even though millions of visitors hike Acadia National Park each year, a short 30 minute drive west of Bar Harbor plunges us into forgotten woodlands where we can truly take our time. First, we’ll hike Beech Mountain, a strenuous but short loop trail with a fire tower at the summit and views of Echo Lake and Long Pond. We’ll hike up a smooth, gradual incline that becomes increasingly rockier. Bust out those scrambling skills and we move over boulders and reach a granite ledge with our first view of Long Pond. After a quick rest and photo break, we’ll climb over more rocky terrain and take some stone stairs to the final stretch of the summit. If the weather’s clear, we can see for miles and even climb up the first landing of the fire tower. We’ll climb down, finish the loop, and check out Bass Harbor Lighthouse if we can snag parking. Then we finish out the day with an easy breezy coastal hike along Ship Harbor Trail leaving plenty of time to explore the cute postcard town of Southwest Harbor. We’ll even squeeze in a shoot with the most photogenic bridge in Maine, the Somesville Bridge, which would make Lorelei Gilmore faint from cuteness. Elevation Gain: 492’/65’ Distance: 1.8 miles/1.4 miles Hiking Time: 2-3 hours Transfer: 1 hour Accommodations: Glamping Meals: B-L-D Day 5 - Downeast to the Bold Coast Today we leave behind Acadia National Park to go deeper Downeast, but not before lacing up our boots! Our hike today is a section of the Bold Coast Trail that follows along steep drop-offs overlooking the Bay of Maine. Get your fill of stunning shoreline cliffs before we make our way to Lubec, Maine. If we have time before the local brewery closes, we’ll stop in for craft beers. Enjoy some time on your own or with your new friends as you treat yourself to dinner and rest your legs in a darling seaside town. After everyone is full and buzzing, we do some cheeky time traveling across the Canadian border into New Brunswick. We’ll flash our passports and check in to our historic cottage inside Roosevelt Campobello International Park. This is the only park in the world that is jointly managed, staffed, and owned by two countries. Most importantly, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s magnificent summer home is immaculately preserved here. Channel your inner diplomat as we stay in the upper bedrooms of a working museum. The Hubbard Cottage was known as the “party house” back in the day, and we’ll have our run it by nightfall. Spoiler: This isn’t a public offering. Explorer Chick did some super sleuthing to work out a private sleepover just for us! Sprawl out in the stunning parlor. Enjoy sunset views from the beautiful 9-foot oval picture window that was imported from Europe. Or gossip on the wrap-around porch on just *how open* Roosevelt’s marriage was. This former first lady and the 32nd U.S. president were wildly unorthodox, sustaining friendships with the working class and dining with poor, first-generation Americans in the White House. *Swoon* Elevation Gain: 219’ Distance: 2.7 miles Hiking Time: 2 hours Transfer: 2.25 hours Accommodations: Historical Park Lodge Meals: B-L Day 6 - Quoddy Sunrise, Campobello International Park, and Tea with Eleanor We’ll jump out of our warm beds extra early this morning to catch the sunrise at the West Quoddy Lighthouse. This is the easternmost point in the US and you will NOT be disappointed by the sun rays bouncing off the candy-striped beacon. After enjoying our visual feast, we’ll head back to Canada for a yummy breakfast spread. Theme of today: party like a rusticator. These 19th century tourists savored fresh salt air, beautiful scenery, and slow living. First, we’ll hike along the shoreline of the Bay of Fundy, home of the highest tides in the world! Keep your eyes peeled for more wildlife including grey and harbor seals, bald eagles, and maybe even a whale spout. In the afternoon, we’ll gather at the Wells-Shober cottage for afternoon Tea with Eleanor. Learn about the longest serving First Lady of the United States (12 years!) while local historians spill all the hot tea. Eleanor was the first Chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission and perhaps the most quoted women in history. Never have we wanted ghosts to be more real––come haunt our girls’ night, Eleanor! After our tea time, we’ll tour the Roosevelt Cottage and explore more of the island. Our last supper will be an East Coast special at the Adams Lodge. Accommodations: Historical Park Lodge Meals: B-L-D Day 7 - Farewell, Maine It’s a day of Big Feelings as we air-hug our girl Eleanor and real-hug one another before saying our farewells. We’ll enjoy an easy morning with a lovely breakfast spread before hopping back in the SHE-naningan Shuttle for our drive back to Portland, Maine. Transfer: 4.5 hours Meals: B Logistics What to Pack Check out our recommended hiking gear for all trips. You’ll receive a complete packing list in your Travel Guide upon booking; note that trips may require additional specialized items. Arrival Airport City: Portland, Maine (PWM) Pick Up Location: Rendezvous Hotel Meeting Time: 7am on Day 1 Departure Airport City: Portland, Maine (PWM) Drop Off Location: Airport and Rendezvous Hotel Return Time: 2pm. Fly out after 4pm on Day 7 Optional Add-Ons: Limited Single Room Upgrades are available at booking. You will receive a Travel Guide with all the rendezvous hotel, packing, and additional information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip. We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking. Activity Level Rated 2 – MODERATE ACTIVE This trip is rated Moderate Active due to the lengths of the daily hikes. However, the terrain in Maine is steep and rocky. Prepare for short, but steep climbs. The Beehive and Beech Mountain both use ladders and cables to ascend vertical sections of the trail as well as hug the side of mountain. Those with a fear of heights will be extra challenged. Daily Activities: Day 1: Beehive Hike to Sand Beach. 3.5 miles. 784’Gain. Rocky terrain, ladders, rock scrambling. Day 2: The Bubbles to Jordan Pond. 4.6 miles. 976’ gain. Lots of scrambling, ladders and boardwalks. Day 3: Kayaking. Distance varies due to conditions, expect 5-7 miles. 4 hours sea kayaking in open water with a partner Day 4: Beech Mountain Ladders. 1.8 miles. 492′ gain. Ladders. Day 5: Cutler Coastal Trail. 2.7 miles. 219′ gain. Day 6: Liberty Point. 3.9 miles. 229′ gain. Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking. Read more about our Activity Levels. What's Included Lodging 4 Nights Glamping in 2-bedroom canvas, platform tents. Shared 3 per tent. Temperature controlled with a heater. Beds will be a mix of Queens and Bunk Beds and assigned randomly. Each tent has an attached full bathroom and a sitting area. Please note: This is not a remote backcountry experience. Instead, we are enjoying the amenities of a luxury glamping site equipped with free Wi-Fi, easy access to our trailheads and Bar Harbor, and top-notch glamping. 2 nights in a grand historical vacation cottage. Shared, 2 Explorer Chicks per room. Mix of ensuite baths and private baths across the hall from rooms. Activities Entrance and commercial permit fees to all National Parks and public lands All activities as outlined in the itinerary Gratuities for all excursions Meals All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-6, L-6, D-4 Gratuities for included meals. Practical Professional leadership team with two Explorer Chick Guides A detailed Travel Guide with everything you need to know for your trip The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander! Not Included Rendezvous or Departure hotels Airfare Airport Transportation Alcoholic beverages Travel Insurance Meals exclusive of itineraries Costs for additional activities Gratuity for your Explorer Chick Guide (read our tipping guidelines here) Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynam Let's Do This Starting From $4299 Book Now Save $300 with our Early Bird Discounts! Just book at least 6 Months in Advance! Discount is automatically applied. Non-Refundable Deposit: $300 due at booking to secure your spot Questions About Maine? Name(Required) First Name Last Name Email(Required) Enter Email Confirm Email Send us your Maine & Acadia questions!(Required)PhoneThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In Her Words Book with Confidence Your wanderlust doesn’t have to wait. Our payment plans make booking your dream trip easier than ever. The best part? Zero additional fees. Payment Plans We want nothing more than for you join us. However, we understand emergencies do occur that may cause you to cancel your reservation. Cancellation Policy To protect your travel investment and your hide, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Receive a no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes. 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