Maine · Hiking

Ladder Trail

Ladder TrailPhoto: Klieg, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
0.4 mi
one way
696 ft
climb
811 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Ladder Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Acadia National Park. It doesn't name Ladder Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

  • Cadillac Summit Road closed to all users Nov 9-25 and Dec 1-18

    Park closure covering Acadia National Park · NPS · Acadia National Park

  • Eastern Section of Beech Mountain Loop Trail Closed for Repairs

    Park closure covering Acadia National Park · NPS · Acadia National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Acadia National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Ladder Trail is a short, steep hike in Acadia National Park in Maine, managed by the National Park Service. The trail is 0.41 miles long and rises 696 feet from its starting point at about 150 feet to a high point of 811 feet. The climb is a point-to-point route, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.34 miles in, where the grade reaches 52 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 79°F with lows near 60°F, while winter highs stay in the low to mid 30s. The trail is a paid visit. Dogs, bikes and horses are not allowed. Plan on about half an hour for the hike. Kane Path is 0.3 miles away, and the Kurt Diederichs Climb and Beachcroft Path are each about half a mile off. The Precipice, also known as The South Wall, is 0.8 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Ladder Trail

    Best months: June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      33° / 15°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 18°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 25°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 35°

      12 wet

    5. May

      65° / 45°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 54°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 60°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 60°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 53°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 43°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 33°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 22°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Acadia Np, ME, 3.1 mi away at 470 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Kane PathPhoto: Klieg, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Kane Path

Next door

Kane Path is a 0.82-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 279 ft of elevation gain.

Beachcroft PathPhoto: Klieg, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Beachcroft Path

Next door

Beachcroft Path is a 1.16-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 342 ft of elevation gain.

Schiff PathPhoto: Klieg, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Schiff Path

~1 min drive

Schiff Path is a 1.03-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 824 ft of elevation gain.

Kurt Diederichs ClimbPhoto: Klieg, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Kurt Diederichs Climb

Next door

Kurt Diederichs Climb is a 0.44-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 533 ft of elevation gain.

Champlain South Ridge TrailPhoto: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Champlain South Ridge Trail

Next door

Short point-to-point ridge walk with scenic views in Maine.

Cadillac-DorrPhoto: Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cadillac-Dorr

~2 min drive

0.57-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 135 ft gain.

Champlain North Ridge TrailPhoto: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Champlain North Ridge Trail

Next door

Champlain North Ridge Trail is a point-to-point trail in Maine, 0.97 miles.

Dorr Mountain North Ridge TrailPhoto: Klieg, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Dorr Mountain North Ridge Trail

Next door

0.95-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 950 ft elevation gain

Kebo Mountain TrailPhoto: Klieg, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Kebo Mountain Trail

~2 min drive

0.84-mile point-to-point trail in Maine with 208 ft gain, managed by the National Park Service

Precipice TrailPhoto: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Precipice Trail

Next door

Steep cliff-side scramble with dramatic views and iron rungs.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors