Giant Slide Trail

Why hike it

If you like your Acadia hikes rugged and a little wild, Giant Slide delivers. It climbs a shady, boulder‑choked ravine between Parkman Mountain and Gilmore Peak, with fun hands‑on moves, stream crossings, and even a cave‑like squeeze beneath chockstone boulders. The payoff: open ledges and wide views around the Parkman/Gilmore ridge, with fewer crowds than the big‑name peak trails.

Route and stats

Most hikers do this as the Giant Slide Loop, starting from the Parkman Mountain parking area on Sound Drive. Figure about 3.5 miles total (loop) with roughly ~1,000 feet of gain, taking 2–3 hours depending on pace. The loop uses the Giant Slide Trail for the ravine ascent, then links short trail segments and stretches of historic carriage roads to return to the trailhead. Expect uneven, rocky footing throughout and some brief scrambles—no ladders or iron rungs.

Trail notes

Lower down you’ll walk through a lush, mossy forest on conserved land—stay on the tread to protect sensitive lichen and moss. As the trail steepens along Sargent Brook, the “Giant Slide” section gets slick when damp; watch footing on granite and roots. Junctions in this area can be confusing thanks to multiple trail and carriage‑road crossings—carry a map or offline GPS. Leashed dogs are allowed, but the ravine’s boulder hopping and scrambles are tough for many pets. If you want to go bigger, you can extend from the loop to tag Gilmore Peak, Parkman Mountain, or even Sargent Mountain for broader panoramas.

Best time to hike

Late spring through fall is prime. Summer brings cool, shaded travel in the ravine; fall adds excellent foliage. The ravine holds moisture year‑round, so rocks can be wet and slippery even days after rain. Winter and early spring often mean ice—only attempt then with appropriate traction and experience.