The Beehive, the Bowl, Gorham Mountain, Ocean Drive Loop
Moderate, 6.3 mi loop; not for fear of heights
1,142 ft elevation gain
Hiked 8/11/25 Flickr Album
An extended version of the Beehive loop adding trails in this section of the park. The climbing route up to the beehive consists of ascending several tiers of vertical ledges, with grips and bridges over delicate areas leading to a great view of Bar Harbor. Includes the popular cliffs of Ocean Drive as well as Otter point area (minus what was currently closed).
The view out from one of the tiers as you make your way up the face. Small bridge over a gap is easy to cross. I believe that peninsula is known as Great Head, with the Atlantic surrounding it.
Looking out on the Pacific in the early morning sun, a small pond reflects the clouds in its mirrored water on the right.
One of the cliff faces along the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean near Thunder Hole.
I’ve gone up the beehive and then wondered why it was still open. There are plenty of places that are more precarious than any other hiking path I’ve been on that was that busy.
The rebar into boulder is certainly a throwback to the old days haha. I'd like to know how many people go up it a day, as I was there relatively early and it was already turning into one extended queue along the ledges.