Shore Path

This beautiful path along the shoreline is an easy walk to take in the harbor and look at the beautiful homes along the way. The walk back through the village is cool as well and you’ll see quaint homes of the yore, including one where Rocker Feller Jr., stayed one summer and his first son was born. Great trivia.

The Shore Path Trail is a quaint and less than a mile pathway along the waterfront. It offers some gorgeous views of the ocean and some private residences. It definitely is a bit hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the town which is nice. There usually isn’t a ton of people on the path and it can be a bit narrow at some parts. Don’t forget to read the plaque about the Balance Rock and take the typical tourist picture with it! A must do as it takes a short time and gives you a better view of the Atlantic.

This historic path has delighted visitors and locals since 1880. I walked the well maintained path, handicapped and stroller accessible, twice during our recently concluded vacation, each time turning right on Wayman Lane and returning via Main Street. The path, beginning at Town Pier, runs in front of the Bar Harbor Inn while hugging the rocky shoreline as it continues in a southeasterly direction for a ½ mile. The views of water traffic including cruise ships, the Porcupine Islands and million dollar estates are spectacular. Opportunities for photos are many, do be sure to include a few of balance rock.

I didn’t even notice this path on my first trip here! The Shore Path (circa 1880, as the sign states) is a cute little path along the waterfront that passes by cannons, a gazebo, private residences, and summer rentals. While it’s technically in a tourist hotspot, I feel like it’s a gem hiding in plain sight. While I was in town with a friend, we were drawn more towards the ice cream and neon lights. On a second trip, I stumbled upon this path while looking for a place to watch the sunset and this was seriously the best! It’s nice and quiet, and there are little stops where you can read a bit about the history of lobster fishermen and the Bar Harbor area.
If you’ve got 30 minutes to spare after dinner, take a stroll down the Shore Path! :)

Great way to get a view of the harbor and be close to the water. The path has the occasional sign that gives you a brief history/​explanation of the buildings, landscape, etc. (Did you know lobster used to be fed to prisoners or used as manure?)
It’s not a strenuous path at all and thus is perfect for all ages. A bit on the shorter end, but definitely worth it regardless.

A path
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The shore path is a trail that starts by the town pier in the center of Bay Harbor and continues for a little over a mile until it suddenly ends. You then have to retrace you steps or take one of the paved streets back to town.
The path is very easy to walk on; no steep hills of rocks to climb over. A nice crushed rock surface so it’s a good place for people that have their mobility compromised but still want to enjoy a nice walk by the water.
The sights on both side of the path are stunning with huge homes with manicured lawns on one side and views of Frenchman Bay on the other. Numerous island, including Bar Harbor and Porcupine Island are visible as well as a multitude of ships, both huge and new and small and old. Frequent elaborate weddings, graduations and other celebrations are held on the lawns along the path.
The weather in this area is extremely unpredictable and you might start out in fog, wind and rain and end up in warm sunshine at the end. In the winter fierce storms rip through the harbor and huge waves actually break over the path, making a cool and dangerous contrast to the usually benign conditions in the summer.
Certainly not the most exciting place to walk. Go up Cadillac Mountain a few miles to the north if you want some challenging hiking. The Shore Path is a pleasant little stroll right from the center of town that offers the dichotomy of pristine nature on one side and the extravagance of humans on the other.