Great Head Trail, Acadia National Park, Hancock County,E

A heavily used, moderately difficult woodland and coastal loop with a connector in the middle over one of the highest headlands on the east coast. Trailheads are at Great Head Parking Area and Sand Beach. Along this route are early 1900s graveled roads and rock walls of the Satterlee estate, 41 cut granite stairs with a split rail fence descending to Sand Beach, a mill stone, and the ruins of a 1915 stone tea house. Southern sections of the loop offer excellent views over Frenchman Bay, Egg Rock, and Old Soaker. Trail width averages 4 to 6 feet wide with numerous social paths to the shoreline. Tread surface is mostly rocky, uneven terrain through woods and over open ledge. A bronze plaque above the sea cave at Great Head, in memory of David Phillips McKinney, who was washed out to sea from the cave in 1969, is not directly associated with the trail.

Significant Dates

1844

Historical Context

During the 1840s and 50s the rocky bluffs at Great Head served as both a vantage point and subject for the Hudson River School artists including Thomas Cole and Frederic Church. Since this time the area, accessible only on foot has been a favored destination for many tourists. A scenic loop trail along the ocean shore was shown on the first Village Improvement Association path map printed in 1896.The path extended across land owned by the Satterlee family. They constructed a stone tower known as the stone tea house. As described in the 1915 Path guide, p. 10, the path descended to Sand Beach, crossed the beach then ascended to the high road (Schooner Head Road). This end section is now the Sand Beach parking lot area on Ocean Drive.

Distance (e.g., miles)

1.7

Route (e.g. trail)

A loop from Sand Beach, around tip of Great Head peninsula, along cliffs, past ruins of Satterlee's tower, along service road

Latitude (decimal)

44.3298025

Longitude (decimal)

-68.1775113

Statement of Significance

The historic trail system of Acadia National Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its national significance and ties to the history of Mount Desert Island and establishment of the park. The system's period of significance starts in 1844 and ends in 1942. The listing encompasses 109 trails traversing 117 miles on Mount Desert Island (some extending outside the park) and includes 18 memorial plaques, 12 viewpoints, and unique engineering features.

Authority

Microsoft Access database used in preparation of report Pathmakers: Cultural Landscape Report for the Historic Hiking Trail System of Mount Desert Island by Coffin Brown, Margaret, Jim Vekasi, et. al. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, DC (2006); accessed June 2024.