Great Head Trail is a 1.7 mi trail with 145 ft of climbing — about 40m of moving time before you stop for anything. Leashed dogs are welcome, and we rate it comfortable from age 6. About 45% of it is shaded, and no refill point is recorded on the route.
Underfoot & overhead coastal cliffs
1.7 mi and 145 ft of climbing work out to 40m of moving time — before you stop for anything. No refill is recorded on the route — you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
Get the summer refuel plan →NAISMITH · CDC · ACSM · how these numbers are worked out
In July, Acadia National Park runs around 79°F at the main visitor elevation. With no refill recorded on the route, everything you drink starts in your pack.
60°F · Areas Of Fog then Light Rain Likely · wind 7 to 13 mph
NOAA forecast for Acadia National Park — not for this trailhead specificallyBacterial levels have exceeded public health standards at Sand Beach Lagoon and a Public Health Advisory has been posted. The public is advised against swimming at this beach until bacterial levels return to...
Live NPS alert for Acadia National ParkEffective March 1, areas including Jordan Cliffs Trail, Penobscot East Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail are closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons. The parking lot for the Precipice Trail is also...
Live NPS alert for Acadia National Park · sourceAbout 40m of moving time for 1.7 mi and 145 ft of climbing — that is Naismith's planning rule, so it counts walking only, with nothing for photos, lunch or the queue at the top.
Planning figures for that much moving time are 0.3–0.6 L, cool day to hot. No refill point is recorded on the route, so you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
Yes — leashed dogs are allowed on Great Head Trail. Leashes (6 ft max) are required everywhere in Acadia National Park.
We rate it comfortable from age 6. It is not a stroller route. That rating is our own hand-check of length, footing and exposure, not an official NPS grade.
About 45% of the route is shaded, and Acadia National Park peaks around 79°F in its hottest month. The less shade a route has, the more of it you want behind you before midday.