Inspiring views.
Morning brews.
Small-group guided hikes in Acadia National Park
We are now accepting bookings for May 1 through November 1
Avoid the Crowds. Flexible Scheduling. Customizable and Curated.
Sunrise and Morning Hikes
Aromatic Coffee
Fresh-ground, local brews
Currently serving select roasts from Acadia Roasters, Bar Harbor’s premier local coffee roaster. Organic, ethically sourced beans.
Pets Welcome
Pet-Friendly Hikes
Pets are always welcome on our guided group hikes! Just let us know when you book your trip, and we’ll ensure all the best accommodations for your furry friend. Find us on BringFido!
Special Adventures Await
A sunrise hike at Acadia is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion! From birthdays to wedding parties, these adventures make for the perfect photo-op. We also can accommodate our hikes for anyone, no matter your experience level.
Hikes for Any Occasion
Experience the Best of Maine from Acadia’s Coast
About First Light Hikes
Denise and Roger Chandler founded First Light Hikes to share Acadia’s beauty and great coffee choices with anyone who values the same passions. During our guided group hikes, we make it our mission to cater to every experience level, sharing expert information about Acadia National Park while providing local treats for a truly authentic Maine experience.

Denise is amazing! She made great suggestions about other hidden hikes in Acadia that were less crowded. She also brought homemade blueberry muffins and local coffee as we watched the sunrise over the Atlantic. Don’t let the 4:30 am wake up scare you, it is so well worth it!

Excellent sunrise, coffee and even blueberry muffins!!!

Denise & Roger were amazing hiking guides! Both were knowledgeable and able to give educational and entertaining explanations along the hike. Even though we didn’t get to see the sunrise due to fog, we did enjoy the warm drinks and a fresh blueberry muffin to sounds of the water. Oh bonus points for the fluffiest tour guide, Tucker.

Awesome time!!! đź’Ż worth the money to have Roger & Denise (and Tucker the trail pup) guide us to a great spot to catch the sunrise!!! No huge crowds like Cadillac either. Added perk yummy homemade blueberry muffins, coffee & tea as we watched the sun rise. Loved the education about the history or the area, nature, trails, etc. We would highly recommend!!!

I really enjoyed my hike with Denise. I was traveling solo and looking for a way to get acclimated to the area and the park and this was a perfect experience for what I was hoping to accomplish. Great views, lots of history, and great conversation. Highly recommend!

Denise and Roger were knowledgeable, patient, kind. The coffee was delicious and perfectly hot. And the price is very reasonable. I was also very grateful to Denise for making herself available after our hike together to give me tips on good solo hikes. Highly recommend.

The morning hike was a great experience! The trail we hiked was beautiful, offering stunning views and a perfect challenge for a moderate-level hike. Our guides Denise and Roger were fantastic, sharing not only delicious snacks along the way but also historical insights about the park and the surrounding area. They provided advice on other must-see spots and tips for future hikes in Acadia. It was a well-rounded, informative, and fun experience! I highly recommend if you’re looking for a guided hike or a group to hike with.

Amazing sunrise and hike! Very reasonably priced. Denise was an excellent guide and offered lots of tips that helped us to enjoy the rest of our time at the park to the fullest. Highly recommend!

Highly recommend Denise and First Light Hikes for anyone looking for a guided hike in Acadia. Denise is very knowledgeable, goes at your pace and makes the experience very enjoyable. I traveled solo to Acadia and was concerned about hiking alone as a woman; First Light Hikes was exactly what I was seeking and it exceeded my expectations. Looking forward to my next trip to Acadia to hike with First Light Hikes again.

We had a wonderful time and Denise is a terrific guide. In addition to a great hike, we had a lovely conversation and learned so much about the park. Plus, the coffee and muffins were such a treat!

Fantastic experience! Best way to see Sunrise in Acadia National Park. Owner/Guide Denise was terrific!

Couldn’t recommend it enough to anyone looking for a guided tour of Acadia. Tour guide (Denise) was very helpful, providing coffee and baked goods, as well as being knowledgeable of the history and geography of the area. The terrain can be difficult, so be sure to bring hiking shoes.

This hike absolutely exceeded my expectations. I knew seeing a sunrise in Acadia was a must, but I sought out looking for a more intimate hike where I could avoid the crowds. Not only did Denise and Roger offer that (with a little help from their adorable dog Tucker), but they also shared history, local tips for maximizing our time here, and a wonderful opportunity to soak in the beauty of Acadia. If you are looking for this along with fresh coffee, coca, and baked goods to take in twilight to sunrise I would highly recommend First light hikes again and again.

This was a fantastic hike. Denise was an excellent guide, she was very kind, personable and knowledgeable. The hike was fun and the views were gorgeous. Amazing experience!!!

Denise and Roger are excellent guides. They are very knowledgeable on the local history. Full of advice on how to see the hidden gems of Acadia National Park, how to avoid the crowds and find little known parking spots. Highly recommended! Wonder dog Tucker is a great guide, too!

Denise and Roger (and Tucker the dog) were fantastic guides! They were flexible, accommodating, and very knowledgeable! Our family of 6 had a great time, and we highly recommend First Light Hikes!















