Bar Harbor is the main commercial area of Mount Desert Island and the gateway to Acadia National Park. This pretty harbor town is quiet in winter and bustling in summer, with numerous shops, restaurants, galleries, and places to stay. There are some nice options for running in Bar Harbor. We’ve mapped out a nearly 9-mile ‘grand tour’, which can be done in sections.

Bar Island: Flickr, John Menard

The start of our route and highlight of running in Bar Harbor is the Shore Path, which runs for 0.7 miles from Barberry Ln. to Agamont Park. Just north of there, take a RIGHT on Bridge Street and run to Bar Island on the  Bar Island Trail, which is a sand bar with firm sand (Only runnable at or near low tide – check tide schedule!). The next section is the 2.5 miles to Hulls Cove, using West St. and then Rt. 3 (Eden St.). There are some great water views! Then, instead of doubling back on Rt. 3, take Paradise Hill Rd. from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. It’s up and then down, with some great views and a good shoulder most of the way (note: only open May-November). A good shortcut back to the center of Bar Harbor is to take the path that starts just before Duck Brook Rd., heading east for 0.6 miles, past the College of the Atlantic, to Rt. 3 and then south to Cottage St. in town. Add-Ons: enjoy the pretty side streets of Bar Harbor.

Note: Rt. 3 is a busy road, especially in summer, with a narrow shoulder. As of the spring of 2019, there’s a construction project, which will lead to an expanded shoulder/sidewalk…improved runnability!