Acadia National Park at Schoodic Peninsula

Schoodic Peninsula is Acadia National Park’s quieter mainland sibling. While still popular, it sees far fewer crowds than Mount Desert Island. It may not have the same dramatic peaks and cliff-lined roads, but the six-mile one-way loop road around the peninsula is heavenly in its own right. I highly recommend biking it, starting at the campground and returning on one of the gravel carriage roads.

As for hiking, there are several options ranging from easy walks to moderately challenging climbs. The short Sundew Trail, which begins near the Schoodic Institute campus, winds through low coastal vegetation on a crushed-gravel surface that is gentler than most park trails, though the spur paths to the shoreline are steeper and rougher. Try to hit this trail at dusk for sunset views over the bay! You can pick up one end of the loop near the Institute’s ballfields. Returning can feel a bit maze-like through the Institute roads, but if you keep heading generally in the right direction, you’ll find your way back to the parking area.

Another relatively easy option—with two steeper sections—is the Lower Harbor Trail, an approximately 1- to 1.5-mile out-and-back route beginning near the park headquarters and campground. A short spur crosses the main park road to a peaceful bog and connects with the carriage roads, which you can follow back toward headquarters.

There are several ways to hike to the peninsula’s highest point, 440-foot Schoodic Head, which offers sweeping views of Frenchman Bay and Cadillac Mountain in the distance. The main approaches are the Anvil, Alder, and East (Schoodic Head) trails. Anvil Trail is short, steep, rocky, and beautiful. East Trail is the quickest route to the top and also climbs sharply. Alder Trail begins gently through peaceful forest before a steeper final ascent to the summit overlook. There are also unpaved roads leading to the top. (If you’re hiking Alder Trail from the Blueberry Hill parking lot, continue straight for about 100 feet after the trail meets the gravel road; the hiking trail resumes on the right.)

If you want to hike across the peninsula, from Schoodic Head back toward the campground and park headquarters, I recommend using the free seasonal Island Explorer shuttle. You can hop off at Blueberry Hill and then hike roughly 4.7 miles back to the campground area. It’s a moderately difficult route, with occasional ocean views along the way.

The park also has about seven miles of carriage roads covered in loose gravel that we actually found surprisingly difficult to mountain bike on—it can feel a bit like riding on sand. Be warned, too: the northern carriage roads are quite hilly, with several long climbs and descents. It’s a workout, but the scattered coastal views along the way make the effort worthwhile.

Directions: From Route 1, turn onto Route 186 south to the small village of Winter Harbor. In town, turn left to continue on Route 186. In half a mile or so, you’ll reach the park road on your right. Continue 1 mile to the park headquarters to buy your park pass.

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