Norumbega Mountain Trail
Elevation
Ascent:
640'
195 m
Descent: -2' -1 m
High: 836' 255 m
Low: 198' 60 m
Grade
Avg Grade: 10% (6°)
Max Grade: 30% (17°)
Weather
Popular runs nearby
Norumbega Mountain Loop
3.3 mi 5.3 km • Loop • 702 ft Ascent 213.88 m Ascent
Penobscot Mountain Loop
5.2 mi 8.3 km • Loop • 1,043 ft Ascent 317.8 m Ascent
Beech Mountain Trail
1.2 mi 1.9 km • Loop • 353 ft Ascent 107.61 m Ascent
Eagle Lake Carriage Road
6.1 mi 9.8 km • Loop • 299 ft Ascent 91.11 m Ascent
Cadillac Mountain Point-to-Point
5.5 mi 8.9 km • Point to Point • 1,196 ft Ascent 364.43 m Ascent
Precipice Loop
2.3 mi 3.6 km • Loop • 1,072 ft Ascent 326.81 m Ascent
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“A moderate, wooded, and pleasant trail on the mountain that sits roughly at Acadia’s midpoint.”
— David Onkst
Features
Birding · Fall Colors · Spring · Wildlife
Runner Notes
Description
You can access this trail from either end. The north trailhead starts at the mountain’s summit, where it intersects with the Goat Trail, which is a short but steep climb up the eastern side of the mountain. You can reach the southern end of this path at the southwestern tip of Lower Hadlock Pond, where it intersects with the Hadlock Ponds Trail. The closest parking lot is located right at the start of the Goat Trail along Route 3, and if it fills up, people just park along the side of this relatively wide roadway. For those who want to ditch the car, there is an Island Explorer bus stop just at the eastern side of Lower Hadlock Pond, which isn’t far from the southern end of the path.
Norumbega is a moderate trail that is fairly wooded with lots of pines. It has roughly 650 feet of elevation change over its 1.3 mile length. At various spots along the path you’ll get some nice views of Somes Sound, which many still refer to as the East’s only fjord due to its steep and deep nature, but technically scientists have downgraded it to a fjard because it doesn’t measure up to all of the specific traits of a Scandinavian fjord. Whatever the case, Somes is one of Acadia’s most picturesque bodies of water, particularly on a sunny day. But don’t count on getting a full vista at the top of the mountain as vegetation obscures part of the view at the summit and along most of the trail. Still, we really enjoyed this trail because of its lack of other visitors and the great scent of pine trees along the way.
Overall, this trail is not Acadia’s most stunning path by any means. Nevertheless, it offers a great deal of solace and some occasionally pleasant views, not to mention an escape from the hubbub of several of the park’s other venues that are often overrun by tourists, particularly in the summer months.
Flora & Fauna
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Contacts
Land Manager: NPS - Acadia National Park
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