Hiking Schoodic Head in Acadia National Park
Hiking Schoodic Head in Acadia National Park – Quiet Beauty on the Schoodic Peninsula
Explore the Schoodic Head Trail in Acadia National Park for a peaceful hike with ocean views, rugged granite, and fewer crowds. Discover the beauty of Acadia’s quieter side on the Schoodic Peninsula.
Schoodic Head, located on the Schoodic Peninsula in Acadia National Park, is a serene and less-traveled destination offering some of the most stunning views in the Park. Standing at 440 feet, it's the highest point on the peninsula, providing sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, along with rugged granite cliffs, and dense coniferous forests.
The trails leading to the summit of Schoodic Head wind through a mix of coastal woods and rocky terrain, offering hikers a quiet, scenic journey. From the top, visitors are rewarded with unobstructed views of Mount Desert Island, Frenchman Bay, and the surrounding waters, making it a peaceful yet dramatic highlight of Acadia National Park.
Jeff was joined by Paul, the Oklahomo Hiker on this hike, along with several other Acadia National Park adventures!
Schoodic Head Trail Guide
For our hike we began at the Blueberry Hill parking area and took the Anvil Trail over the Anvil and then to the summit Schoodic Head. The trail climbs steadily from the trailhead to the Anvil, over and through several rock scrambles. After the Anvil, the trail levels off before climbing more gently to the summit of Schoodic Head.
A short distance north of the summit of Schoodic Head is a scenic vista well worth the extra hike. It provides a beautiful view of the ocean.
We returned via the Schoodic Head Trail and the Alder Trail, which brought us back to the Blueberry Hill parking area. As we descended there were a number of views along the way, making for a very enjoyable descent.
The total hike was about 3 miles and there was about 500' of elevation gain along the way. We would consider this a moderate hike with a few rock scrambles and steep section, but nothing that was difficult if you take your time.
Schoodic Head Trail Details
📍 Trailhead: Blueberry Hill Parking Area (Google Maps)
🥾 Distance: ~3 miles round trip
⛰️ Elevation Gain: ~500 feet
⚠️ Difficulty: Moderate
💦 Highlights: Epic views just past the summit of Schoodic Head, interesting rock scrambles, several views on descent
🗺️ GPS Information: Trail Route in GPX Format
For More Information About the Schoodic Head Hike in Acadia National Park
You can find this hike:
More Hikes in Acadia National Park
Our Hiking Advice and Hiking Gear Recommendations
Gear we used on this hike:
Some product links are affiliate links and we earn from qualifying purchases. Others are links through the Amazon Influencer program and as an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases. Still others, we just want you to know about some good gear we enjoy!
Important Hiking Considerations:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before your hike and be prepared for changes in conditions.
Safety: Some sections of the trail can be steep and rocky, so use caution and watch your footing.
Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor activity, remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Pack out any trash, stay on the trail, and be respectful of the natural environment.
