Halfway up the coast of Maine, drive across a certain small bridge and you’ll end up on the island of Mount Desert. Surrounding the island are waters filled with whales, and on the island lies Bar Harbor, a town brimming with the quaintness that helps define New England. Also on Mount Desert – Acadia National Park and its 57 miles of carriage trails.
Riding on a bike, atop a horse or by horse-drawn carriage, the trails lead you through a thick forest, with water peaking through here and there between the trees. Financed 
and built under the direction of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. between 1913 and 1940, these peaceful paths are an important part of Mount Desert history. They and over 120 miles of hiking trails built into the woods are motor vehicle free, making them ideal territory for people wanting some outdoor exercise without having to dodge cars.
We spent days cycling the trails during the height of the summer vacation crush and found that the hard-packed gravel paths stretch and wind to such an extent that, although the parking lots were full of cars, the paths were almost devoid of people. Taking these carriage trails is the perfect way to get outdoors and stay moving all day.
Sabina Lohr finds that home is not where the heart is, and a good chunk of her life revolves around plotting her next trip, or traveling. She has a Bachelor of Arts with a major in German which, like many liberal arts degrees, has gotten her nowhere except overseas to study. Unlike so many other travelers, she has never kept track of the number of countries she’s traveled to but knows her continent count stands at only three. The other four are calling.
Last 5 posts by Sabina Lohr
- The Jaws Bridge of Martha's Vineyard - September 5th, 2009
- Newport, Still Echoing with the Roaring Twenties - August 19th, 2009
- An Island's Island, Chappaquiddick - August 5th, 2009
