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 If you are looking for a great place to mountain bike try bicycling on the forty-five miles of historic carriage trails that weave through Acadia National Park in Maine. Built between 1913 and 1940 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. the well maintained trail system gives the rider wonderful views of forest, lakes, waterfalls, and ocean at different points along the route. The going is relatively easy on most parts of the dirt road trail system for experienced riders, but there are sizable hills as well. If you are a beginner, bike the 5.7 mile loop around Eagle Lake. It is mostly flat and a fun ride. To get to Eagle Lake take Route 233 and park at the designated parking lot.
You can also use your mountain bike or road bike to bicycle on the paved 27-mile Park Loop Road. Here again you will experience wonderful views but make sure you are prepared because this route is very hilly and not for beginners. For the truly ambitious, you can even attempt to bike up to the top of Cadillac Mountain. Be careful: the road up is steep, narrow, and usually crowded with cars and buses. At the summit of this 1,530 foot mountain the views are spectacular. Besides Cadillac Mountain there are three other popular stopping points along the route: Sand Beach; Thunder Hole; and the Jordan Pond House. If biking the Park Loop Road plan on spending a full day to see the sights along the way.
The park also has 125 miles of hiking trails. You can find out more about Acadia National Park in Maine by going to http://nps.gov/acad/.
You may wish to bike around the island outside of the park too. Mount Desert Island attracts tourist and summer residents from all over the world, particularly to the towns of Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and Southwest Harbor. Each town has great places to stay and eat. There are established bike routes along the sides of most major roads on the island.
So enjoy bicycling at a beautiful national park and the surrounding area. |
