Home » National Parks » Acadia National Park » Biking the Carriage Roads Acadia: Tips, Map & Best Routes

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If you love biking Acadia National Park’s carriage roads, scenic routes, and historic trails, then this is a must-do. The carriage roads in Acadia National Park are one of the best places for cyclists, offering peaceful rides through forests, lakes, and stone bridges.

If you’re planning to bike the Carriage Roads, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your ride.

The Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park

I had been wanting to bike the Carriage Roads in Acadia for years, and I finally made it happen!

While I’ve spent plenty of time hiking trails like Ship Harbor and Beech Mountain, I wanted to do something different this time.

First, talk briefly about the carriage rods and what makes them special!

The Carriage Roads were built between 1913 and 1940, thanks to John D. Rockefeller Jr., who wanted to create a scenic, motor-free way to explore Acadia.

Today, these roads are a biker’s paradise, offering:

45 miles of well-maintained crushed-stone roads
17 stunning stone bridges, each with unique architecture
Breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, and the coastline
A peaceful, car-free biking experience

Biking the carriage roads in Acadia National Park takes you through peaceful forest trails like this one.

These roads aren’t just hiking paths—they were designed for biking.

Today, they’re one of the most popular ways to experience the park, especially for those searching for the best biking in Acadia National Park.

My Experience Biking the Carriage Roads

Let me start by saying—biking the Carriage Roads is NOT easy!

Views of Eagle Leak peek through the trees along the carriage roads in Acadia National Park.

These roads are hilly, and some sections are steep. But the views and experience make it 100% worth it.

Starting at Eagle Lake

I had always wanted to bike the carriage roads in Acadia National Park, and starting at Eagle Lake made for the perfect route.

Cycling in Acadia National Park offers wide gravel paths with mountain views.

This stretch of the carriage roads Acadia biking trail has some of the best lake and mountain views.

Reaching Jordan Pond

After about four miles of biking the Acadia carriage roads, we reached Jordan Pond.

Bicycle parked near Jordan Pond on the carriage roads in Acadia National Park

One of the most iconic stops on the bike carriage roads Acadia trail.

If you have time, treat yourself to a popover at Jordan Pond House—a must-try Acadia tradition!

The Full Ride: 10 Miles of Adventure

🚴 Total distance: 10 miles
⏳ Time: Over 2 hours (with stops)
💪 Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

We didn’t use electric bikes—just our mountain bikes, which made for an intense workout! Let’s just say we earned our lobster rolls after this ride.

Map of Carriage Roads In Acadia National Park

There are a few places to stop here. Just take the granite steps and walk down to the water to enjoy a snack or just relax.

FAQs: Biking the Carriage Roads in Acadia

Here are some common questions I had before biking the carriage roads.

Q. Are There Cars on the Roads??

No, the roads and biking paths are completely car-free.

Q. Are The Carriage Roads In Acadia Paved?

No, but they are well-maintained crushed stone, making them smooth and bike-friendly—it almost feels like pavement.

Biking through the forest on Acadia’s peaceful carriage roads.

I hate biking off-road, but I did not get that feeling when biking the carriage roads. They felt similar to pavement rather than dirt.

Q. Where To Rent Bikes In Acadia National Park?

If you don’t bring your own, you’ll find plenty of carriage roads and Acadia bike rental shops in Bar Harbor and near the park.

Acadia Bike Rentals: Acadia Bike offers a wide selection of hybrid, mountain, and electric bikes.
Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop: This shop rents various types of bikes and provides repair services.
Pedego Electric Bikes Acadia: This company specializes in electric bike rentals, offering an easy and fun way to explore Acadia’s carriage roads with less effort.

Tips For Biking The Carriage Roads In Acadia

Bring Water! This ride is a workout, and you’ll need to stay hydrated.
Respect Right of Way: 🚴‍♀️ Bikers yield to pedestrians, and everyone yields to horses.
Class 1 E-Bikes Are Allowed: But Class 2 & 3 e-bikes are not permitted.
Check for Closures: The roads close during mud season (March–April)—check Acadia Alerts before you go.
Stay to the Right & Pass on the Left: Standard biking etiquette applies!