A Bare Granite Summit in the Middle of Acadia
Pemetic Mountain sits dead center on Mount Desert Island, the fourth-highest summit in Acadia at 1,247 feet. It does not get the traffic that Cadillac and the Beehive pull, mostly because there is no road to the top and no famous iron rungs to draw the crowds. What it has is a long open ridge of pink granite and one of the most complete views in the park. From the summit you look straight down into Jordan Pond on the west, across to Eagle Lake on the north, and over the two round humps of the Bubbles. On a clear day the whole spine of the island lays out around you.
Four trails climb Pemetic, one from each direction. The South Ridge Trail from the Jordan Pond area is the classic route and the one most people walk. It runs up open ledge for much of the way, so you get views early and keep them. The hike is steady rather than brutal, with some short rocky pitches near the top that ask you to use your hands. Plan on three to four hours round trip depending on your route and how long you sit on top.
Getting to the Summit
The most popular start is the South Ridge Trail, which leaves from the Jordan Pond area near the south end of the pond. From the parking you climb through spruce and birch woods before the trees thin and the granite opens up. Once you are on the ridge the trail follows blue blazes and rock cairns across the ledge. Watch the cairns carefully in fog, because the open rock has no obvious tread.
The North Ridge Trail drops toward Bubble Pond and the carriage roads, and the Northwest Trail and the route up from Bubble Pond round out the four approaches. A common loop pairs the South Ridge up with a descent toward Bubble Pond, but check a current park map before you commit, because the connector trails add distance and a car shuttle problem.
Park at the Bubble Pond carriage road lot or use the Island Explorer shuttle instead of fighting for a spot at Jordan Pond House. The Jordan Pond lots fill by mid-morning all summer, and rangers turn cars away. The free shuttle runs late June through Columbus Day and stops at both Jordan Pond and Bubble Pond.
What You Get on Top
The summit is a broad open dome, not a single point, so there is room to spread out and find your own piece of rock. The Bubbles and Jordan Pond fill the view to the west, with the Atlantic and the Cranberry Isles beyond. Penobscot and Sargent Mountains rise to the west across the pond. To the north you see Eagle Lake and, on a clear day, Cadillac with its summit road and parking lot.
Because the rock is exposed, this is a fine spot for a long lunch on a calm day and a miserable one in wind and rain. There is no shelter up there. Blueberries ripen in the low mat plants across the ledge in late summer, and they are worth the stooping.
Most of Pemetic above the woods is bare granite with no tree cover. Wind, fog, and rain hit hard up there, and the smooth rock gets slick when wet. Acadia summits can be socked in fog while the coast below is clear. Turn back if a storm is building, and never count on cell service to bail you out.
When to Go
Spring
Trails are muddy and the upper ledges can hold ice into April. Bugs pick up by late May. Fewer people, cooler air.
Summer
Warm and busy. Start early to beat both the heat on the open rock and the parking crunch at Jordan Pond. Blueberries ripen by August.
Fall
Crisp air, clear long views, and foliage in the valleys below. Late September and early October are the best hiking weeks in Acadia.
Winter
Open year-round but the trails are snow and ice covered. Microspikes or snowshoes and real winter experience required. The views in snow are spectacular.
Getting There
From Bar Harbor, take Route 233 (Eagle Lake Road) or follow the Park Loop Road toward Jordan Pond. The South Ridge trailhead is near the Jordan Pond House area at the south end of Jordan Pond. The Bubble Pond carriage road lot is off the Park Loop Road on the north side of the mountain. From Bangor the drive is about an hour, and from Portland roughly three hours.
You need a valid Acadia park pass on your dashboard. A standard vehicle pass runs $35 and is good for seven days.
Hike Pemetic in the late afternoon and stay for the light. The crowds thin out after 4 p.m., the parking opens up, and the low sun turns the pink granite gold. If you time it right you can be off the open rock and back in the trees before dark, but carry a headlamp anyway. The walk down Jordan Pond afterward for popovers at the Jordan Pond House is a long Acadia tradition.
Pemetic Mountain Day Hike Checklist
- Acadia park pass on the dashboard
- Sturdy shoes with grip for smooth granite ledge
- Two liters of water (no water on the mountain)
- Wind layer and rain shell (the summit is fully exposed)
- Trekking poles for the steeper pitches
- Current Acadia trail map or downloaded offline map
- Headlamp if you plan to stay for sunset
- Sunscreen and a hat for the open ridge
FAQ
How hard is the Pemetic Mountain hike?
It is moderate. The South Ridge Trail climbs steadily over open ledge with a few short rocky scrambles near the top, gaining roughly 1,100 feet. Most fit hikers reach the summit in about an hour and a half.
Which trail up Pemetic is best?
The South Ridge Trail from the Jordan Pond area is the classic, with open views most of the way up. The Northwest and North Ridge trails and the Bubble Pond route are quieter alternatives if you want to make a loop.
Is there a fee to hike Pemetic Mountain?
There is no separate trail fee, but Acadia requires a park entrance pass. A standard vehicle pass is $35 and valid for seven days. Display it on your dashboard.
Can I bring my dog up Pemetic?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on most Acadia trails on a leash no longer than six feet. The open granite can get hot on paws in summer, so carry water for your dog and hike early.
Where do I park for Pemetic Mountain?
The Jordan Pond lots fill early, so use the Bubble Pond carriage road lot or ride the free Island Explorer shuttle, which stops at both Jordan Pond and Bubble Pond from late June through Columbus Day.
