Acadia National Park Carriage Roads

John Rockerfeller, Jr, was a resident of Mount Desert Island during the summer months. In 1917, he started the construction of 57 miles of broken stone roads for horse-drawn carriages. Concerned that automobiles would destroy the peace and quiet of the island, he banned cars from the carriage roads.

Rockerfeller donated most of the roads along with 11,000 acres of his land to the park. Today, the carriage roads are still not open to automobiles, but are used by bikers, hikers, cross-country skiers, and horseback riders.

A great place to experience the carriage roads is to take the 4.5 mile Hadlock Brook Loop. You can park at the Parkman Mountain parking area which is located just north fof Upper Hadlock Pond, and walk to the trailhead.

Be sure to take the left fork and head east toward Hemlock Bridge, which is made of hand-hewn stone. Follow the carriage road as it rises to Waterfall Bridge where there is a 40 foot waterfall. Cross the bridge and hike about 1.8 miles to a well-marked interection.

Turn right at intersection 19 and then right at intersection 18. Continue walking along the pond and be sure to watch for loons. The carriage road crosses Hadlock Brook Bridge  and heads back to the trailhead.