QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: N/A
- Trail Mileage: ~0.8 miles one way
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: The sea, the sea! Frenchman Bay
The Shore Path is a flat gravel path between the town and the edge of sea — much of it wheelchair accessible. Built around 1880, it mostly traverses private land and is maintained by the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association and landowners. Views of the Narrows and nearby islands are beautiful throughout the year and in any weather, I suspect. A few benches have been set up along the way, and the path passes a couple of town parks.
The Village Improvement Association has a funny story about this path: “Many decades ago when postcards were made by photographic companies far removed from Bar Harbor there was a miscommunication in passing on the correct name of the path due to our “downeast accent.” When the post cards for the Shore Path finally arrived from the printer they had the following title: The Shaw Path!”
Directions: Parking for the path is available at the town pier and at Grant Park.
