Somes Sound Overlook

Overview

Tucked above the west shore of Somes Sound, this overlook rewards a short hike with a big view: the Sound stretching beneath you, granite slopes rolling away, and Norumbega and Acadia mountains framing the scene. It’s a scenic pause on the Flying Mountain loop—popular, but typically calmer than the park’s headline viewpoints.

What You’ll See

• Somes Sound from end to end, with steep, glacially carved walls dropping to deep water.
• Classic Acadia granite, spruce–fir forest, and distant ridgelines (Norumbega and Acadia mountains).
• In season, sailboats and small craft moving along the sheltered waterway.

Why It’s Unique

Somes Sound is not quite a fjord—Maine Geological Survey classifies it as a fjard, a shallower, glacially carved inlet. From this perch you get one of the cleanest reads of that geology: steep-sided relief, deep water, and a long, narrow reach that slices into Mount Desert Island.

Getting There

Reach it via the Flying Mountain Trail. From the Flying Mountain summit, take the right fork and continue about 0.3 miles to the named overlook before the trail drops toward Valley Cove. Expect granite slabs, roots, and a noticeable descent beyond the viewpoint—trekking poles help on the way down. There are no facilities here.

Wildlife

The Somes Sound corridor can turn up seabirds and bald eagles overhead. In winter, sheltered waters host sea ducks; in spring, surrounding woods ring with warblers and other songbirds. Kayakers on the Sound often report marine life like sea stars and jellyfish—good reasons to bring binoculars even if you’re staying high and dry.

Best Time to Visit

• Fall: peak foliage lights up the Sound’s steep hillsides—arguably the most striking season.
• Winter: calmer conditions for spotting sea ducks on the water below.
• Summer: pleasant views, though birding is less active; expect more trail traffic in peak season. Weekdays and shoulder seasons are quieter.