At Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary, a mile of trails lead through mossy spruce woods along lovely Somes Pond. Carey Kish photo

Acadia National Park averages around 4 million visitors each year. Most of those visits occur on Mount Desert Island, where the bulk of the park — some 31,000 acres — is located. During the busy season, when park roads are jammed and trailheads are overflowing, you might wonder if there are less crowded corners of the island to take a hike. The answer is yes!

Here’s a look at some under-the-radar places on MDI outside of Acadia’s boundaries to consider for your tramping pleasure this year.

• Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary protects 255 acres in the Somes Pond watershed in and around Somesville. The pond is named for Abraham Somes, the island’s first European settler, who founded the village in 1761. A colorful, hand-painted sign greets you at the edge of the small parking area, and from there, the Nature Trail and the Spring Trail will lead you on a lovely 1-mile walk through the mossy spruce woods along the pond’s margin, including a nice view of the upper slopes of lofty Sargent Mountain. Info: www.somesmeynell.org.

• The Stone Barn Farm Preserve in Bar Harbor is home to an iconic stone barn, farmhouse, carriage house and gazebo. The farmhouse dates to the 1840s, while the amazing barn is circa early 1900s. Beyond the cluster of structures and the small farm pond are 20 acres of gorgeous rolling fields, 100 acres of mixed woods, and over a mile of wet and wild frontage on meandering Northeast Creek. The Wagon Path and the Wood Lily Path and their various offshoots combine for more than 1.5 miles of ideal wandering, including a look over Youngs and McFarland mountains to the heights of Cadillac Mountain. Info: www.mcht.org.

• Blue Horizons Preserve, also in Bar Harbor, encompasses 82 acres on the opposite side of Mount Desert Island from the bustling tourist center. A quiet drive and a pleasant footpath lead gradually down to the shore of Clark Cove on Western Bay in view of the mainland at Trenton. Time the tide just right and you can enjoy a wonderful stretch of gravel beach sauntering and savoring before returning on the other leg of the trail system. Altogether, it’s a really nice 1.6-mile loop. Info: www.mcht.org.

• A short distance south of Blue Horizons Preserve is Indian Point Blagden Preserve, which is named for Donald and Zelina Blagden, who donated their 110-acre summer property to The Nature Conservancy in 1968. The preserve features over 1,000 feet on Western Bay opposite Alley Island and Oak Point. The Big Wood Trail winds through fragrant woods of red spruce, white cedar and balsam fir and an old apple orchard to connect with the Fern Trail and Shore Trail loops for some sweet bayfront strolling. The hike is 2.4 miles in all. Info: www.nature.org.

• The Northeast Harbor Trails weave through a mix of public and private lands just north of the village proper. Hemmed in by the southern slope of Norumbega Mountain, Somes Sound and the physical harbor, this network of 15 paths maintained by the Northeast Harbor Village Improvement Society provides more than 6 miles of fine hiking. Spruce forest rich with moss and lichen, blocky ledge walls, tumbling Hadlock Brook and bucolic Hadlock Pond are highlights. It’s so pretty in these parts that you just might want to hike them all. Trail maps are available at the Mount Desert town office in Northeast Harbor and by searching online.

• The Land & Garden Preserve ranges across the southern edge of eastern Mount Desert Island from Northeast Harbor to Seal Harbor, an idyllic 1,165-acre landscape that includes the Little Long Pond Natural Lands and the Asticou Azalea, Thuya and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller gardens. Nine miles of trails and a dozen miles of carriage roads provide countless opportunities for exploring its scenic wonders. For a terrific introduction, try circumnavigating Little Long Pond, with its dog-friendly water access points, historic boathouse and views north to several of Acadia’s rocky summits. Make your way out to the unique Cobblestone Bridge and back for bonus points. About 5 miles, all told. Info: www.gardenpreserve.org.

When you visit these special places, it’s imperative that you tread lightly, Leave no trace and respect all posted guidelines, as you would anywhere, and as if the land were your own.

Carey Kish of Mount Desert Island is the author of Beer Hiking New England, AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast and the AMC Maine Mountain Guide. Follow more of Carey’s adventures on Facebook and Instagram.