Acadia National Park - Schoodic Hiking Trails

This network of hiking trails leads across the length of Schoodic Peninsula, from Winter Harbor in the north through spruce-fir forests, pine woodlands, and a shrubland, terminating on the southern end at Blueberry Hill. 
Trail Activity
Hiking Walking
Length
7.50 miles, Network
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate, Advanced
Town
Winter Harbor
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor, Gravel/Crushed Stone, Rock/Ledge, Grass, Boardwalk/Bog Bridging, Pavement
Pets
Permitted
Fees
Yes

Description

HIGH USE TRAIL:

This is a busy trail system, especially on weekends between 9AM-4PM. Consider visiting outside of peak periods. Use Maine Trail Finder to identify other nearby trails. If the parking lot is full when you arrive, please choose another trail. 

The network of trails allows users to link together anything from a casual walk to a challenging hike. Along the way, the trails lead through forests and farmlands, over rocky summits, and along the shoreline. In addition to the trails described below, hikers may also walk on the Schoodic Bike Paths, to lengthen or shorten their trek as desired. 

Alder Trail: This short, easy walk traverses inland from the rocky shore along a grassy path among fruit trees and alder bushes. Butterflies are common here, as are pitch pine, cedar, birch, and ash trees. This pleasant trail highlights the contrast between ocean and old farmland.

Anvil Trail: This trail provides access to incredible views from both the rocky knob known as the Anvil and the 440-foot Schoodic Head. The trail starts by climbing through woods of ash, birch, and spruce and ends atop rocky summits. 

Buck Cove Mountain Trail: This is the network's longest trail at just over 3 miles. The trail skirts the edge of Birch Harbor Mountain and leads to Schoodic Head summit. While it is longer and has more climbing than some of the network's other trails, the elevation gains allow for incredible views of the surrounding area and make this a very worth-while hike. 

East Trail: This short but steep trail goes up the eastern side of Schoodic Head, with views along the way of Schoodic Point to the southwest and Spruce Point to the northeast. The trail begins with a steady ascent, then rises quickly via switchbacks. In the spring, Canada dogwood and tiny white starflowers bloom along the trail. Gnarled pitch pines, cedars, and sea-green lichen are plentiful here.

Lower Harbor Trail: This trail offers waterfront views for the majority of its 1.2 mile stretch. The flat terrain and coastal views make this a trail perfect for everyone to enjoy.

Schoodic Head: This trail provides a fresh perspective on Acadia National Park and expansive views of the area. The trail winds along Schoodic Head, the distinctive knob many visitor only see from atop Cadillac Mountain. 

Other Information

Pets are permitted and must be leashed at all times. Leashes must be six feet or less in length. Pets may not be left unattended.

Trail Manager

For more information about the trails and the park, visit Acadia National Park online or contact:

National Park Service, Acadia National Park

National Park Service, Acadia National Park
PO Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Phone: (207) 288-3338
acadia_information@nps.gov

Nearby Events

VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

Trail Tips

Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Be aware of and limit the noise you and your group generate. Enjoy the sounds of nature.
Legend
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Trailhead Information

Parking for trailheads can be accessed in both the Schoodic Woods Campground (with more parking available) and at Blueberry Hill (less parking available).

Schoodic Woods Campground: Drive east out of Winter Harbor on ME-186 (Main Street) then turn right onto Schoodic Loop Road. Continue 0.6 miles down Schoodic Loop Road and turn left onto the first road possible (Farview Drive) following the signs to the campground. Parking is 50 feet down the road on the right by the ranger station. This parking lot is advised for first time visitors because the ranger station is a great source of information.

Blueberry Hill parking: Drive east out of Winter Harbor on ME-186 (Main Street) then turn right onto Schoodic Loop Road. Continue down Schoodic Loop Road for 5.1 miles (past the Schoodic Woods Campground and the Schoodic Education and Research Center). Parking is on the right, and well-signed.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
janeman
August 11, 2020
Awesome trail
looncall
February 17, 2020
We had parked at Blueberry Hill. It was back in mid 90's when I nearly lost a hiking buddy at / near summit of Anvil Trail. We were hiking in mid Oct around 1997 or so. This was way before anyone even knew of David Paulides and his Missing 411 series of books (David is also on numerous you tube videos). Anvil gets steep and rocky in places and requires climbing over and around boulders and tree roots. You feel like you're in a magical troll forest. We did not encounter one other hiker the entire round trip. However, when we were near the summit my hiking buddy had gotten a bit ahead of me around a granite switchback. When I reached the summit he was no where to be found. I looked around called out but could not locate him. For some strange reason I decided to hike all the way back down to the parking lot thinking perhaps he had gone back to the car. No he was not at the car, and I had no car key. So I trudged back up through the troll forest up and around boulders and tree roots. ( no other hikers in sight.) When I reached the summit I passed through and behind some bushes to a circular clearing only to find him walking around in circles, talking to himself acting giddy. Astonished I yelled out "What are you doing"? That seemed to have broken the 'spell' because at that point he snapped out of it. I merely passed it off as intellectual querkiness. But many years later after discovering Missing 411 I am now wondering what was really going on? He was a senior, inventor, phd with at least one invention that held a secrecy order. He most definitely fit the Missing 411 profile of several of those missing written about in David Paulides' books. After that rather strange hiking mishap, we carried whistles and I had my own car key.
Since we are no longer in contact to this day he may never know what was really happening to him at the Anvil Summit unless he like me has discovered David Paulides and Missing 411. Merely commenting to let other hikers know, Take Precaution ~ David states do not hike alone. Carry a Personal Locator Beacon, and he also advises a fire arm. David has stated to his knowledge no one has gone missing while carrying both a Personal Locator Beacon and a fire arm. For information purposes ~ website: https://www.canammissing.com/page/page/8396197.htm ~ if interested link to purchase Missing 411 books ~ https://www.nabigfootsearch.com/Bigfootstore.html ~ David advises on his interviews for anyone wanting to purchase a book purchase on his link (above) because Amazon sells through re sellers that price gouge. ~ Happy Hiking !
splewis
May 27, 2019
Went up the Alder Trail to the Schoodic Head Trail and down the Anvil Trail. What a wonderful loop through lovely forest! It's like you're in the Lord of the Rings. Nice trails for running!
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