After being closed for a couple of years for trail repair work, the Valley Cove trail re-opened in fall 2020. Like the Precipice Trail and Jordan Cliffs Trail, the Valley Cove trail is closed in early summer every year while peregrine falcons are nesting and it usually opens in August.
The Valley Cove Trail can be used as part of a 3 mile loop hike from the Valley Peak trailhead on Fernald Point Rd, as described in this post.
Alternatively, you could include the Valley Cove Trail as part of a much longer and more difficult loop hike including nearby Acadia Mountain and St Sauveur Mountain, which could start at the same trail head or at the Acadia Mountain trail head on Route 102.
The repairs to the Valley Cove Trail include impressive stone steps along the very steep eastern face of Valley Peak that offer a good thigh burning workout.
In addition to the stone steps on the Valley Cove Trail, other highlights of this hike are the views from Valley Peak and St. Sauveur Mountain and the secluded beach at Valley Cove.
You could also easily add Flying Mountain to this hike instead of returning to the trailhead on the fire road.
Hike Details
Parking for the trail head is located at 96 Fernald Point Rd in Southwest Harbor. There are two trail heads at this parking area, one for Flying Mountain and one for Valley Peak and St. Sauveur Mountain. Take the trail head for Valley Peak and St. Sauveur Mountain. If you want to include Flying Mountain in your hike then you’ll return to the parking area on that trail.
Shortly after getting on the trail, take a left onto the Valley Peak Trail. The trail wastes no time gaining elevation as you ascend up Valley Peak. After a half mile, you’ll reach the summit of Valley Peak.
Stay to the right at this trail junction. A left would take you to the wooded summit of St Sauveur Mtn which has no views. The trails are a bit confusing here so make sure you stay on the Valley Peak Trail for the best views.
There’s a gorgeous spot to take a break and enjoy the view just after reaching Valley Peak.
Enjoy the nice views of Somes Sound as you walk along the edge of Valley Peak. The mountain you see on the other side of Somes Sound is Norumbega Mountain.
Continue along the trail and you’ll reach another equally fabulous viewpoint near the summit of St Sauveur Mountain, at a slightly higher elevation than the previous viewpoint.
Technically Valley Peak and St Sauveur Mountain are two different mountains but in my mind they are really two peaks on the same mountain.
When you’re done soaking up the views, descend the East Face Trail to the trail junction for Valley Cove Trail and Acadia Mountain.
If there’s been enough rain recently, you could take a short walk to Man O’War Falls, a unique waterfall that drops into the ocean. Otherwise, continue on Valley Cove Trail.
This is the recently repaired and re-opened trail and you can clearly see how much hard work was put into repairing the trail and making it safer.
After climbing up and down the rock stairs along the steep eastern cliff of Valley Peak, you’ll make your way down to the beach at Valley Cove.
I love the beach at Valley Cove. It’s very peaceful. Valley Peak towers above you … That’s where you were standing earlier.
Acadia Mountain can be seen peeking out behind Valley Peak.
I didn’t get in the water but it looks like it would be a nice place for a dip in the calm and shallow water.
After enjoying the beach, return to the trail head on the flat and easy continuation of Valley Cove Trail (fire road).
Alternatively, for a bit more elevation and distance and more ocean views, take the Flying Mountain Trail back to the trail head.
Check out these other hikes in or near Acadia National Park:
