Acadia National Park’s Carriage Roads are the running highlight of Mount Desert Island. These 45 miles of rustic carriage roads are the gift of philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., a skilled horseman who wanted to travel on motor-free byways via horse and carriage into the heart of Mount Desert Island. His construction efforts from 1913 to 1940 resulted in roads with sweeping vistas and close-up views of the landscape. The carriage roads are 16-feet wide, feature a crushed rock surface, and  have been lovingly maintained. The roads are mainly wide, wooded trails, relatively flat, some with fantastic views to the water. Some recommended carriage road options are in the map and guide below. Favorites include the 3.3 mile loop around Witch Hole Pond, and the larger Eagle Lake.

These trails are especially gorgeous in autumn! And in winter, if there’s 6″ or more of snow, the trails are groomed by a group of volunteers! And they’re wide enough so runners and winter sports lovers can share the trail. Grooming/snow status here.

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