The Beehive Trail
BAR HARBOR—If you’re not afraid of heights—or crowds—this trail isn’t really that big a deal when it comes to the scary factor. Similarly, we’re not quite sure why the difficulty here is often rated strenuous by people from away.
It’s often billed as a tiny Precipice Trail, which is a notorious trail in the park. That’s because there are so narrow ledges along the cliffs and some metal rungs. And, it’s because sometimes people get hurt here as they climb up and see out over Sand Beach and Great Head.
The entire trail is 1.4 miles. However, the cliff face is about 450 feet. In high tourist times, it is very crowded and sometimes you get stuck behind other people.
When it is icy or wet, it is not advisable to do things rung and ladder trail.
Do you have any Beehive stories? Feel free to share them!
Hike Description VIA the National Park Service.
“The Beehive Loop begins on the Bowl Trail across the park loop road from Sand Beach. There is a crosswalk at the top of the entrance to Sand Beach, the Bowl trailhead is located next to it.
“Follow the Bowl trail 0.2 miles up a creek bed to the trail interesection with the Beehive trail. Beware of loose rock and uneven footing. Proper footwear is recommended.
“Continue on the Beehive trail which is 0.6 miles and begin ascending the cliff on granite staircases and rock scrambles. As the climb continues set iron rungs are placed to help hikers in more difficult scrambles.
“As the trail climbs a gorgeous view of the Maine coastline starts to appear above the tree line. Rungs and ladders continue to be place the entire way until the summit is reached. Half way up the Beehive there is a section that involves walking across iron bars instead of solid ground.
“On the second half of the climbing section there are ladders that require being able to reach above the ladder and grab rungs to assist the climber in reaching the top of a small ledge. As you reach this section of trail the view continues to open up to see Sand Beach and farther up and down the coast.
“The trail crests over the cliff where there is still about 200 ft of uneven walking to reach the summit of the Beehive at 520-ft above sea-level. Enjoy panoramic vistas in all directions from the summit.
“The Beehive trail is a loop trail. It is not advised to return down the rung and ladders. The trail continues past the summit and descends down to the Bowl, a small peaceful pond between the Beehive and Champlain mountain. Do note, there are no more rungs or ladders present on the rest of the trail from the summit.
“The trail continues along the side of the Bowl until you reach a trail intersection that will read the Bowl Trail and Champlain South Ridge trail. Head left and return down the Bowl trail 0.4miles. This is a gradual descent down a dirt trail until it returns to the trail intersection that took the trail up the Beehive.
“Follow the same 0.2 miles of trail back out to the park loop road to finish this hike.”
It's rated strenuous because even though the cliff face is short, it is not a hike but a climb.
One of the times I did this, we met a group a) coming down and b) coming down WITH THEIR DOG!
Gawd.