Asticou Terraces — Attraction in Mount Desert

How To Gain Thuya Enlightenment------- --------- Do not drive to this garden! --------- Boat in across the harbor to the Asticou dock, if you have not yet found your own boat take the green launch "Harbor Welcome" from the Northeast Harbor dock, President Jackson can help you aboard. At the Asticou Dock stop in the shelter there and meditate on the waters below. Should the tide be high and waters deep step up onto the rail and dive into the salty coolness. You have completed the first level. Walk up the path and cross the cursed highway, as you cross promise to own only a sailboat, a bicycle, and a Prius. You have completed the second level. Follow the gravel trail leading upwards. Take the first left, "memorial trail", and walk up to the Joseph H. Curtis memorial. Give thanks for Brother Joseph's foresight in preserving this place. You have completed the third level. Climb upwards to the Stone House. You know what to do here... you have completed the fourth level. Climb ever Higher to the wood house, stop and enjoy the view. You have completed the fifth level. Use pranayama breath to calm your heart and mind as you climb to the "Lookout", here you must avoid the wood gazebo, instead walk the cliff to reveal the glory below peeking through the pine tops. You have completed the sixth level. Now climb into Thuya garden, bow deeply to the Goddess as you pass through the carved cedar gates and donate, (no, not just a Lincoln, at least a Hamilton is required but not requested of you). You have completed the seventh level. Welcome to Heaven On Earth (if you are a bee), otherwise please enjoy the plants, and promise yourself, if you ever get enough money by selling inferior CCP products to buy an infinitely ridiculous 383 ft power yacht with a 32 ft tender powered by 4 computer controlled Yamaha outboards you will immediately donate said funds to your local land trust after purchasing a Cape Dory Typhoon for you and your's enjoyment. Did you skip a level? Perhaps you failed to pay tribute to Brother Curtis, or did you not perform the rite at the Stone House? If that is the case you must leave Thuya by the back gate, leave the lands & gardens, the power & privilege, and follow the Eliot Mt. trail into the post-Elon chaos of America's...

Asticou Terraces, located in Northeast Harbor, Maine, is a hidden gem that blends natural beauty with thoughtfully crafted design. Part of the Mount Desert Land & Garden Preserve, these terraced gardens and walking paths offer visitors a peaceful escape, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy Acadia’s more tranquil side. The terraces provide a gradual climb up the hillside, with stone steps and pathways that are carefully integrated into the landscape, offering lovely vantage points of the harbor below.

The walk through the terraces is a feast for the senses. You’ll pass through a series of landscaped areas filled with a variety of native and ornamental plants, flowering shrubs, and moss-covered rocks. In spring and summer, blooms bring vibrant colors, while autumn transforms the surroundings into a warm palette of reds, oranges, and golds. Benches along the way encourage you to pause, reflect, and take in the serene atmosphere.

One of the highlights is the connection from the terraces up to Thuya Garden, another beautifully maintained space that features lush flower beds and formal garden layouts. This transition from the more rugged, natural terraces to the structured elegance of Thuya makes for a memorable experience. Photographers and artists will find endless inspiration here, thanks to the combination of ocean views, natural textures, and seasonal...

There are 2 parts to this visit: the terrace trail and the garden at the top. The terraced trails are really well maintained and smooth, zig zagging up the hillside, with lots of rest areas for those who need it. There is also a road that goes right to the gardens at the top. I reviewed the gardens themselves in that Google maps location entry. These trails are kid friendly as well. Plan 30 mins or more to enjoy the views and have a leisurely walk, depending on your fitness level. There is a restroom at the...