Flying Mountain Trail   Short but steep Says Kevin Corcoran View from Summit of Flying Mountain Says Kevin Corcoran Flying Mountain is a very small mountain located in Acadia National Park. Yet, despite a jaunt of only 0. 3 miles and an elevation gain of just 240 feet, the hiker is rewarded with a very pretty vista on top. The trailhead to Flying Mountain is located off of Fernald Point Road, about 9/10 of a mile east of its intersection with Route 102,     approximately 1/2 mile north of the scenic little fishing village of Southwest Harbor. The trail begins off the southeast corner of the little parking lot that provides access to the Valley Cove Fire Road in addition to Flying Mountain. The trail ascends immediately at a moderate rate, alternating between moderate to moderate/severe in steepness for the short trail's entire length. The hiker breaks out of the woods about 1/4 mile up the trail, at which point views begin to open up towards the south. The trail tops off in another 100 yards or so, with wonderful views being found to the east over the fjord known as Somes Sound, and to the south towards Southwest Harbor, the Cranberry   Islands and the Atlantic Ocean just beyond. The hiker has several options at this point. You can turn around and make a quick return to the parking lot, or you can continue over the peak and work your way down the north side of the little mountain to other trail heads and/or to the Valley Cover Fire Road for an alternate return back to the parking lot. Other mountains that can be accessed from the trail over Flying Mountain include Acadia Mountain, St. Sauveur Mountain and Valley Peak. On a beautiful September, 2010 Saturday I opted to make the 5. 7 mile loop over the four peaks (trail descriptions for Acadia Mountain, St. Sauveur Mountain and Valley Peaks can be found via separate entries on this website). Says Kevin Corcoran BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE            Map Map Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Flying Mountain Trail.   Trails Near Flying Mountain Trail: Saint Sauveur Mountain Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away Valley Peak Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away Acadia Mountain Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away Bald Peak Trail, Hancock County , 3 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Flying Mountain Trail: Smuggler's Den Campground, Southwest Harbor , 0 miles away White Birches Campground, Southwest Harbor , 2 miles away Camp Store, Mount Desert , 3 miles away Mt Desert Campground, Mount Desert , 3 miles away Mount Desert Campground, Hancock County , 3 miles away   Whitewater Near Flying Mountain Trail: Union River, Hancock County , 15 miles away, Class I-II - 0.5 miles long (Ellsworth Falls to Ellsworth) Blue Hill Falls, Hancock County , 16 miles away, Class III - 1 miles long (Route 175 - Tidal Reversing Falls) Branch Lake Stream, Hancock County , 18 miles away, Class III-V - 4 miles long (Branch Lake to Infant Street in Ellsworth) Tannery Brook River, Hancock County , 22 miles away, Class I-III - 4.5 miles long (Route 180 to Graham Lake) Narramissic River, Hancock County , 26 miles away, Class II - 16.3 miles long (Denham to Alamoosook Lake)   Public Lands Near Flying Mountain Trail: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor - ME , 9 miles away Maine Acadian Culture, Bar Harbor - ME , 9 miles away Lamoine State Park, Maine , 8 miles away Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park, Maine , 32 miles away Fort Point State Park, Maine , 35 miles away   Hotels Near Flying Mountain Trail: Belle Isle Motel, Bar Harbor , 6 miles away Highbrook Motel, Bar Harbor , 7 miles away Isleview Motel and Cottages, Trenton , 7 miles away Open Hearth Inn, Trenton , 7 miles away Best Western Acadia Park Inn, Bar Harbor , 7 miles away   Lakes Near Flying Mountain Trail Morancy Pond, Hancock County , 18 miles away Jones Pond, Hancock County , 18 miles away