The best hikes from bus stations in Hancock County

Stephen Tyng Mather (1867–1930) was an American industrialist and conservationist. In 1917 he was appointed the first director of the National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/people/stephen-tyng-mather.htm

As you climb the Cadillac-Dorr Connector Trail to the summit of Desert Island's highest mountain, you'll enjoy magnificent views to the north over the Porcupine Islands in French Bay and Dorr Mountain to the east.

At the end of the 19th century, Desert Island became a tourist attraction. The Green Mountain Cog Railway, a cog railway, was in operation from 1883 and took tourists to the summit of Green Mountain, today's Cadillac Mountain (from 1918), where they could enjoy the breathtaking view. The railway ran from Eagle Lake to the summit over a distance of around 1.8 km. When passenger numbers declined, the railway service was discontinued in 1891. In the following years, the railway line was completely dismantled. Today, only remnants of the route remain. The Buckboard Road was built in the late 19th century, leading up to the summit along the north ridge. However, the journey was only possible by horse-drawn carriage and tourists preferred to walk up the mountain. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/secrets-of-the-summit.htm The paved ‘Cadillac Mountain Road’ was completed between 1929 and 1932. The more than six kilometer long route is considered an exceptional example of construction work in mountainous terrain. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/motor-road-history.htm

The Criterion Theatre is a historic venue on Cottage Street. It was built in 1932 in the Art Deco style. Since 2014, the theatre has been owned by a non-profit organization; after a renovation, it reopened in May 2015. In 1980, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criterion_Theatre_(Bar_Harbor,_Maine)

‘Bar Island’ is part of the town of Gouldsboro, which is located on the Schoodic Peninsula to the east, and is not part of the Bar Harbor urban area. Remains of former buildings can still be seen on the island. Over the years, several families lived here on farms and raised sheep. In 2003, ‘Bar Island’ became part of ‘Acadia National Park’. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/bar-island-fast-facts.htm

The historic building of the United States Postal Service on Cottage Street was built in 1909 from granite stone. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Post_Office-Bar_Harbor_Main

On the hill inside Bar Island, you can get an excellent view of the city when the weather is good, with the mountains of Acadia National Park in the background, including Mount Cadillac. On the side facing away from the city, large cruise ships are anchored during the season.

The land bridge to Bar Island is dry at low tide and should be hiked 1.5 hours before and 1.5 hours after low tide. The trail leads to a hill in the interior of the island, where you have a good view of the town and the land bridge. However, there is a less traveled trail along the coast around the entire island. https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-bar-island-trail.htm