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The affluent island, home to titans of industry, adored by adventure seekers, is Maine’s best-kept secret.
Mount Desert Island, Maine
Price upon request
ANNE LEHMANN
The second largest island on the eastern coast of America is an idyllic location for those interested in hiking, biking, sailing, leaf peeking, picnicking, and most of all, relaxing. Mount Desert Island is a jewel of an island located on the northeastern coast of Maine and home to Acadia National Park. It offers understated elegance and a sophisticated atmosphere where many come to their ‘cottages’ to reconnect with friends and family.
One of the unique qualities of the island is the diversity it provides. It is one of the few places that boasts a dramatic rocky sea coast, more than eight crystal clear lakes and ponds, and 20 named mountains. Given this range of topography, formed from a volcano and carved by glaciers, the options for enjoying the island are unlimited. If you tend to be outdoorsy, the trails for hiking the summits can be a short 45-minute hike with epic views of the mountainside down to the Atlantic Ocean; Beehive is a perfect short hike. Jordan Cliffs is an excellent choice if you are ready for a multi-faceted, long walk. This hike takes you up the side of Penobscot Mountain using iron rungs and scrambling around granite boulders. If you hike a bit further, you can actually swim at a freshwater pond atop the mountain. Heading down the ‘spine’ of the mountain takes you back to the Jordan Pond House, where you can enjoy tea and popovers. Finally, the shore path is a lovely flat walk on the outskirts of the largest town Bar Harbor. The walk allows you to enjoy the rugged coast and view the porcupine islands that lie just offshore on one side of the path and boast grand mansions on the other. The best of both worlds.
Biking and e-biking are other not to miss activities on MDI. John D. Rockefeller Jr. and their family commissioned 45 miles of paths built for horse-drawn carriage rides. Today horse riding, walking, and biking are enjoyed on these carriage paths. Nestled in the woods, the carriage paths offer you incredible views of the autumn colors. The smell of fresh pine is rampant in the air, and the astounding architecture of the granite bridges built in the early 1900s are simply stunning. Nature at its best is the only way to describe the experience.
The island has three main town centers, all with their own look and feel. Bar Harbor is the largest of the towns offering Michelin star restaurants, quintessential bookstores, and pubs for late-night fun. Northeast Harbor has upscale clothiers, the Kimball shop and boutique, and the Holmes Store provide many options for outfit purchases from trapeze cashmere cardigans to Saint James shift dresses or hostess items ranging from Herend China to Simon Pierce glassware. Southwest Harbor has one of the best locally-owned bakeries, Little Notch Bakery. Hamilton Marine Inc. is the place to go if you need marine supplies for your yacht. All of these towns will bring you back in time as they tend to help you simplify life. Throughout the island, the welcoming staff are ready to assist or provide you space to browse. The kindness and the warmth of the locals are steadfast.
Faith Pulis is a long-time native of MDI, Concord, Newburyport, Massachusetts. Faith attributes her love of Maine and Mount Desert Island to her grandparents, who founded Camp Beech Cliff (on Echo Lake), a summer camp for children. Growing up in the family’s camps, Faith spent a lot of time exploring both the Moosehead Lake Region and Mount Desert Island. “There are not many places along our New England coastline where in one day you can hike a mountain, swim in the ocean, kayak on a spring-fed lake, and eat a lobster, all within a few square miles.”
Faith is most often seen hiking with her two corgis out on the trails as an avid hiker. She is somewhat of a community expert on the best hikes, swimming holes, and neighborhood hot spots to visit. Faith continues to support Camp Beech Cliff today as a volunteer and Board Member. Faith is a Licensed Real Estate Agent with Engel & Völkers in both Maine and Massachusetts and looks forward to assisting you with your real estate requests.
For available property on the famed Mount Desert Island, please contact:
Engel & Völkers
Faith Pulis
Associate Broker
Global Real Estate Advisor
Licensed in MA&ME
T: + 1 978.376.3561