Bar Harbor offers two uniquely local walks that cost nothing and take you right to the heart of the place. The Shore Path is a half-mile promenade that runs along the edge of Frenchman Bay from the town pier past the Bar Harbor Inn and a row of grand shingle-style cottages. It was begun in the nineteenth century and is still maintained as a public right of way, with benches, gardens, views of the Porcupine Islands and Egg Rock Light and, at its far end, Grant Park. It is flat, shaded in places and perfect for a morning or evening stroll. The Bar Island land bridge is a stranger delight. At low tide a gravel bar emerges from the water at the end of Bridge Street, linking the town to uninhabited Bar Island, and you can walk across, explore the island trails and enjoy views back at the town and the bay. The path stays passable only for roughly an hour and a half either side of low tide, and the water returns quickly, so you must watch the clock. Together the walks give a sense of how Bar Harbor feels when the tour buses are elsewhere.
Walking the Shore Path
Start near the town pier, where cruise tenders and whale boats come and go, and head south along the water. You pass the Bar Harbor Inn, the Newport Drive hotels and a view of the Porcupine Islands, named Bar, Sheep, Burnt, Long and Bald. Look for the gardens and lawns of the historic Shore Path houses that were once summer homes.
The path is paved and gravelled, wheelchair friendly in most places but narrow, and popular, so early morning is calmest. Benches along the route are good places to read, drink coffee or watch the harbor fill with ferries and schooners.
Crossing to Bar Island
Check a tide chart, which is posted around town and easy to find online, and aim to start walking about an hour before low tide. Wear shoes that can handle wet gravel, take water, and keep track of the return time, because the bar can submerge sooner than you think, and people do get stranded and have to be rescued.
The island itself has a short trail up to a viewpoint where you look back at the harbor, with a few ledges for picnics and wild blueberry bushes in season. Please carry out all trash, avoid disturbing nesting birds and respect private property on the island, which is largely owned by the park and local landowners.
Why do both
The combination lets you see Bar Harbor as a place rather than a collection of shops. The Shore Path shows you the wealth and style of the Gilded Age, while the land bridge shows the tidal rhythms that rule the coast. Both are excellent first stops on arrival, cost nothing and fit in around bigger plans.
Add the downtown trolley tour for the story behind the houses, a lobster roll on Main Street, and a late-evening walk to see the lights across the bay. For a self-guided companion, a phone audio walking tour covers the summer-colony history as you stroll. Check the tourism board for current information on tides, events and closures.
What to expect
The experience
A free half-mile waterfront promenade and a tidal gravel bar to Bar Island that is only passable around low tide.
Best time
Early morning or evening for the Shore Path; check tide tables and start about an hour before low tide for Bar Island.
How long
Thirty to forty-five minutes for the Shore Path, one to two hours for Bar Island.
Tips
Watch the tide clock, wear shoes you can wet, carry water and leave no trace on the island.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A free, atmospheric introduction to Bar Harbor.
- Families
- Excellent; flat paths and a small adventure at the land bridge.
- Couples
- A gentle sunset stroll along the bay.
- Pair with
- The downtown trolley tour and a lobster roll.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
How long is the Shore Path?+
About half a mile, along the water from the town pier past the Bar Harbor Inn to Grant Park.
How long can I cross to Bar Island?+
The sandbar is usually passable about an hour and a half either side of low tide, but always check a tide chart and watch the clock.
Is it free?+
Yes, both walks are free. Parking in town may be paid.
Is the Shore Path accessible?+
Mostly, though it is narrow in places, and the Bar Island bar is uneven gravel and not suitable for wheelchairs.
What happens if I am late back from Bar Island?+
The tide covers the bar, and you may be stranded for hours or need rescue. Leave early.