Great Head Trail: Acadia's Coastal Cliff Loop
A 1.7-mile coastal loop from Sand Beach over dramatic ocean cliffs
Great Head sits directly adjacent to Sand Beach — one of Acadia's most crowded destinations — yet the trail that loops around it is consistently quieter than anything else in the immediate area. Most visitors to Sand Beach never walk it. Their loss.
The loop begins at the east end of Sand Beach and immediately climbs through forest to the headland. Once on top, the trail follows the cliff edge above the open Atlantic — dramatic granite drops, ocean views in three directions, and almost always a wind. The cliffs are real: there are no guardrails, and the edge deserves respect.
The return descends through mixed forest on the inland side, quiet and protected from the wind. The full loop is only 1.7 miles with 145 feet of elevation gain — it's short, but the cliff section delivers views out of proportion to the effort.
Start early for the best experience. Sand Beach parking fills by 9am in summer, and the Island Explorer loop from Bar Harbor stops here directly.
Key Waypoints
- 1
Sand Beach East End
0.0 mi from start · 10ft elevation
The trail begins at the east end of the beach, marked by a small trailhead sign. Look for the path climbing into the trees.
- 2
Headland Cliffs
0.7 mi from start · 145ft elevation
Open cliff tops above the Atlantic. Views south to Otter Cliff, east to open ocean. The edge drops sharply — stay back from the rim.
- 3
Forest Return
1.2 mi from start · 80ft elevation
The trail turns inland here, descending through sheltered mixed forest. A marked contrast to the exposed headland above.
Seasonal Notes
Walkable year-round. The cliff section is exposed to wind in any season — layers are warranted even in summer. The trail is sheltered enough in the forest sections to be comfortable in shoulder season.
Conservation Note
Great Head's cliff-top vegetation is fragile and slow to recover from foot traffic. Stay on the marked trail, particularly near the cliff edge where the temptation to move closer to the view can lead to off-trail walking on thin soil over granite.