Goat Trail to Norumbega Mountain

Goat Trail to Norumbega Mountain is a 1.1-mile out-and-back from the roadside pull-off on ME 198 to the 852-foot summit, then back the same way. The climb is about half a mile each direction with roughly 600 feet of gain. Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours. This is a good pick if you want a quick, rugged ascent; do it for the climb, not for a wide summit panorama.

The trail rises quickly over granite boulders and short, steep rock faces. Footing is uneven, and the upper climb involves some scrambling. Higher on the slope, the trees thin enough for a look back toward Bald Peak and Sargent Mountain. That is the more open view; the summit itself is much more enclosed.

Goat Trail meets Norumbega Mountain Trail at the ridge. The official summit marker is just left of the signposts, at 852 feet. Trees block most of the view, including a clear look down to Somes Sound or across to Acadia Mountain, so keep your expectations modest. Norumbega is an old Maine legend: European explorers imagined a wealthy city of that name somewhere in the region, and George Dorr later gave the name to this peak, once called Brown's Mountain.

Start at the north end of the first unmarked pull-off on ME 198, just south of Parkman Mountain parking area. The park lists this route year-round; an Acadia entrance pass is required, with no separate activity fee. Dogs may come on a leash no longer than six feet, though the park discourages pets on the steep route, and it is not recommended for small children. If you want Lower Hadlock Pond and its waterfall, continue onto the other named paths for the separate 3.2-mile Norumbega Mountain Loop.