Acadia National Park
Sundew Trail
easy Nature LoversFamiliesSolitude Seekers
0.7 mi Distance
Varies Estimated Time
Out & Back Trail Type
What to Expect
Tucked away on the Schoodic Peninsula — the quiet side of Acadia that most visitors never bother to find — the Sundew Trail is a short woodland wander through thick spruce-fir forest on the grounds of the Schoodic Education and Research Center. At under a mile, this is less of a hike and more of a meditative stroll, with a soft needle-covered path threading through moss-draped trees and the occasional boggy patch where the trail gets its name. Keep your eyes low: sundews, those tiny carnivorous plants with glistening sticky leaves, hide in the damp margins. The forest canopy keeps things cool and shaded even on August scorchers. You won't find dramatic ocean views here, but you will find near-total silence — a rarity in Acadia during peak season. Perfect for nature nerds, families with small kids, or anyone who needs a quiet reset between the bigger Schoodic hikes.
Trail Details
Distance 0.7 miles round-trip
Difficulty easy
Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type Out & Back
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Sundew Trail
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Pair this with the nearby Alder Trail and Buck Cove Mountain Trail for a full morning on the Schoodic Peninsula — the Sundew alone takes maybe twenty minutes, so treat it as an appetizer.
Trail Tip
The boggy sections where sundews grow are most visible in mid-summer (July through early August) when the plants are actively trapping insects — crouch down and look for the reddish, dew-tipped leaves along the trail margins.
Trail Tip
The Schoodic campus has restrooms and sometimes hosts ranger-led programs — check the Schoodic schedule before you go, because a guided walk on this trail with a naturalist turns a quick stroll into a genuine education.
