Typical terrain on the Alder Trail in Acadia National Park

Length: .6 mile, one way
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Of the four trails at the southern end of Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peninsula—Schoodic Head Trail, Anvil Trail, East Trail, and Alder Trail—the Alder Trail is the only one that does not involve strenuous hiking. It is also the only one that does not lead to the summit of Schoodic Head, which sort of makes it worthless on its own. You can, however, make a loop of the area by combining it with the Schoodic Head and Anvil trails, a 2.6-mile strenuous hike that is well worth your time.

Southern Schoodic Peninsula Trails (click to enlarge)

The northern trailhead for the Alder Trail is located at the end of Blueberry Hill Road, a dirt road on the west side of the peninsula that branches off from the main Schoodic Loop Road. No RVs or vehicles with trailers are allowed.

Northern trailhead for the Alder Trail at the end of Blueberry Hill Road, Acadia National Park

The southern trailhead is on the Schoodic Loop Road directly across from the Blueberry Hill parking area (no connection to Blueberry Hill Road).

Southern trailhead for the Alder Trail on Schoodic Loop Road, Acadia National Park

I started the hike on the Alder Trail at its northern trailhead. The first hundred yards is out in the open and exposed to the sun, but it then enters the forest for the duration. Also, I hiked the trail in late August and only encountered a few mosquitoes. I did not have any problems with ticks either.

First section of the Alder Trail, Acadia National Park

The Alder Trail is wide and grassy, and other than a section of roots here and there, it is about as easy a hike as you will find in Acadia National Park.

Rooty section of the Alder Trail, Acadia National Park

The trail ends at Schoodic Loop Road, .6 mile from the start. As mentioned, the Blueberry Hill parking lot is across the street. I have no idea why the area is called Blueberry Hill, but it is a great place to see the rugged coast of Schoodic. At low tide you can search for sea creatures in the pools of water that are left behind in the rocks. Just be careful when walking on seaweed and rocks covered in algae (look for dark, wet spots) because these are as slick as ice. I saw two people sustain serious injuries due to falls while I was at Acadia National Park, though not at Blueberry Hill.

Schoodic Peninsula coast shrouded in fog at Blueberry Hill, Acadia National Park

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