Precipice Trail
Acadia's notorious iron-rung cliff climb up the face of Champlain Mountain.
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Length
- 2.1 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 1,000 ft
- Duration
- 2–3
- Best Season
- Aug–Oct
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Iron rungs, Cliff face
About the trail
The Precipice Trail is the most exposed non-technical climb in the eastern US. From Park Loop Road, the route ascends the near-vertical east face of Champlain Mountain via a series of iron rungs, ladders, and narrow ledges bolted into the granite. There are sustained sections with hundreds of feet of air below the rungs. The summit view sweeps across Frenchman Bay to the Schoodic Peninsula and the open Atlantic.
Trailhead map & directions
Turn-by-turn route
- Park at the Precipice trailhead lot on Park Loop Road.
- Follow the trail to the cliff base.
- Ascend the iron rungs and ladders, pulling up the cliff face.
- Top out on the Champlain Mountain summit ridge.
- Descend via the gentler Champlain North Ridge Trail to the Orange & Black Path back to the lot.
Parking
Precipice lot on Park Loop Road. Fills by 8 AM in summer.
Tips from the trail
- Closed mid-March to mid-August for peregrine falcon nesting — check the park website.
- Not safe in rain or with a fear of heights. There is no easy bailout once on the rungs.
- Wear sticky-rubber approach shoes or trail runners — boots feel clumsy on the rungs.
More in Maine
Mount Katahdin via Knife Edge
MEMaine's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Precipice Trail
MEAcadia's most exposed iron-rung climb up Champlain Mountain's east face.
Tumbledown Mountain Loop
MEA cult-favorite Maine peak with a chimney scramble and an alpine pond at the summit.