Ocean Path Trailhead Self-Guided Walking Tour

What your day looks like

Your walking tour of the Ocean Path begins at the Ocean Path Trailhead and takes you past Sand Beach, one of the premier swimming spots in Acadia. As you walk, you’ll hear about the rich marine wildlife, such as the harbor porpoises and harbor seals. You might just see some of them in action! Up next, you’ll get the story of the Sand Beach shipwreck. Hear how a small schooner’s crew clung to life in the midst of a violent storm, with their own vessel destroyed. Then you’ll uncover the mystery of the area’s diverse warblers and the trees in which they make their homes. Continuing your trip, you’ll hear about the peregrine falcons, who can dive at over 200 miles an hour! You’ll also get familiar with the efforts to reintroduce this endangered species through a process ironically known as “hacking.” Next on the trip is Thunder Hole. Experience the thunderous rumble that gave it its name. Here you’ll also find out what produces the rumble itself. Strolling along the rocky shoreline, you’ll learn about the tide pools and how they serve as havens for a variety of sea critters, such as sea stars and blue mussels. Next, you’ll see Monument Cove, named for a lone pillar of granite that makes for a fantastic photo op. As you proceed, you’ll get to know Waldron Bates and his passion for hiking trails. Bates alone created 25 miles of trails! You’ll also learn about the “Bates cairn,” designed to assure hikers they were on the right path. Then continue to Boulder Beach and find out why this beach is made up entirely of boulders instead of sand. Next, you’ll go back to 1947 and the fires that left many people homeless and devastated significant amounts of forest, including 10,000 acres in Acadia! You’ll soon come to Otter Cliff. While not named after the sea otters, it has significant history, including being the site of a Navy radio station in World War I. As you keep walking, hear about the loons, find out why they’re endangered, and unearth the efforts to conserve this unique species. The journey ends at the majestic Otter Point Overlook.