Great Head is a small peninsula or promontory that extends into the ocean between Sand Beach and the place where the Park Loop Drive passes beneath the Precipice.  An relatively easy trail of about a mile circles Great Head.  The part facing Sand Beach involves some climbing but yields the best views (toward Sand Beach and Otter Cliffs).  The other side is a leisurely path through the woods, with only a little climbing toward the point of Great Head.  This time I took the leisurely route, going out and returning on the same path.

Interestingly, many decades ago, a tea house stood on the point of Great Head overlooking the ocean.  All that remains of it are some stone slabs and steps, so indistinguishable from the natural rocks that one has to search to find it.

From the furthest reach of Great Head, one looks up and down the island's shoreline, back toward the mountains, or out across the Frenchman's Bay to the Schoodic Peninsula.  Although the sea was extremely calm on this year's visit, Great Head is often a marvelous place for viewing surf.  Unfortunately, since it's relatively easy to access, it can be overrun with tourists (I no longer consider myself a true "tourist" at Acadia).  Since it was September and a bit past prime tourist season, I didn't encounter too many of these noisy people on my hike this year and was able to spend some time on the point alone with nature and my camera.

Through the trees, on the way out to Great Head

Open trail near the point

Looking toward Otter Cliffs (in the distance, left)

Trail marker on Great Head, looking out to sea

Looking across Frenchman's Bay to the Schoodic Peninsula

Looking toward mountains on the island (marker in center)