Pros & cons
PROS
- Superb payoff-to-effort with summit views and Bubble Rock minutes apart
- Easy to customize loops via Bubbles Divide and Jordan Pond connectors
CONS
- Tiny trailhead lot that fills quickly
- Granite ledges get slick when wet or icy, making footing tricky
Park at the small Bubbles Parking Lot on Park Loop Road; the Bubbles Divide trailhead is at the north end of the lot. No bathrooms here—use facilities at Jordan Pond House.
Exposed cliffs near Bubble Rock; keep back from edges. Granite is slick when wet or icy—use traction in winter. Multiple junctions—follow blue blazes and carry a map.
Why go
If you want a huge payoff for a short effort, this is your move. South Bubble serves up sweeping views over Jordan Pond (and beyond) and the famous glacial erratic, Bubble Rock, perched dramatically on the cliff’s edge. Expect a popular, social trail with some rocky steps and quick, steep bits—manageable for most hikers who are comfortable with uneven granite.
Route in a nutshell
Most hikers start at the small Bubbles Parking Lot on Park Loop Road and follow Bubbles Divide up the valley. At the junctions, take the spur left to South Bubble, tag the summit, then continue a few minutes to the signed path for Bubble Rock. Turn around and descend the way you came. This classic outing is about 1.5 miles round trip with a few hundred feet of gain. Trails are well marked (look for blue blazes), but there are multiple junctions nearby, so a quick map check never hurts.
Prefer a circuit? You can link South Bubble with Jordan Pond Path for a short loop (roughly 1.4–1.5 miles) or go bigger—visit both North and South Bubble and add Jordan Pond Path for an excellent ~5-mile loop. The Bubbles Divide–Jordan Pond Carry connector gives you flexibility to stitch together what you want.
What you’ll see
Panoramas over Jordan Pond are the star, with Eagle Lake and neighboring peaks filling the horizon. You’ll walk through spruce–fir forest, over rock steps and open granite, and finish on ledges near the summit. Bubble Rock—arguably Maine’s most famous boulder—is the geologic cherry on top: a glacial erratic delivered and dropped by ancient ice. It’s photogenic, not a playground—don’t push or climb it, and give cliff edges a respectful buffer.
Difficulty and footing
Call it moderately challenging for the short loops: steady grade, rocky footing, brief scrambles near the top. Granite gets slick when wet, and in winter it can ice up—traction helps. This is a standard backcountry footpath and not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.
Logistics and tips
- Parking is limited at the Bubbles lot and fills fast—go early or aim for a weekday. There are no restrooms at the trailhead; the nearest are at Jordan Pond House.
- Wear grippy shoes; the granite slabs can be slippery after rain.
- Leashed dogs are allowed, but some pups may struggle with the steeper, rocky sections.
- Stay on marked trails and away from cliff edges, especially around Bubble Rock.
Best time to hike
April through October is prime. Mornings offer cooler temps, softer light on Jordan Pond, and a fighting chance at parking. Fall color here is outstanding. In winter, the trail is still hikeable with proper traction and caution on icy ledges.
Elevation
1.5 mi · 1.5 hrWildlife on this trail
Near South Bubble Trail
All places →All trails →
Cadillac Mountain SummitLegendary sunrise and 360-degree ocean-and-island viewsTrailhead · Restroom
Beehive SummitShort iron‑rung climb with huge views over Sand BeachScenic Viewpoint
Jordan PondCrystal-clear pond with iconic Bubbles views and an easy shoreline loopTrailhead · Restroom
Champlain MountainCoastal summit with thrilling iron‑rung routes and sweeping ocean viewsTrailhead · Parking
Precipice TrailCliffy, hands-on climb up Champlain with big ocean viewsChallenging · 1 mi · 2.5 hr
Beehive TrailShort, airy iron rungs with huge ocean views above Sand BeachChallenging · 1.5 mi · 2 hr
Jordan Pond Shore TrailClassic loop with crystal water, boardwalks, and the Bubbles viewEasy · 3.3 mi · 1.8 hr
Penobscot Mountain TrailGranite ridge climb to 360-degree views over Jordan PondChallenging · 3.4 mi · 2.5 hr
