The Sundew Trail is Acadia's well-kept secret on the Schoodic Peninsula — the quieter, far-less-crowded mainland corner of the park that most visitors never bother to reach. This short loop winds through a cathedral of coastal spruce and fir, the kind of dense, moss-carpeted forest that smells like pine resin and cold ocean air at the same time. The trail is relatively flat and soft underfoot, though exposed roots and the occasional wet patch keep you honest. Watch the ground closely: the trail is named for the carnivorous sundew plants that dot the boggy margins, tiny rosettes that trap insects in sticky red filaments. There is no dramatic summit here — the payoff is the forest itself, plus glimpses through the trees toward the Schoodic coastline. This trail is perfect for families with young kids, anyone nursing tired legs after a bigger day, or hikers who want to stretch without committing to anything.
Exposed tree roots and low-lying wet sections can be slippery after rain or morning fog — coastal Maine fog rolls in fast and often, so grip is worth thinking about even on easy terrain.
Trail Details
Distance0.7 miles round-trip
Difficultyeasy
Estimated TimeVaries
Trail TypeOut & Back
PetsNot allowed
SeasonYear-round
TrailheadSundew Trail
Trail Tips
1
The Schoodic Peninsula is only reachable by car or the seasonal Island Explorer ferry from Bar Harbor — build in an extra 45 minutes each way if coming from the main park. Arrive before 10am on summer weekends to snag parking near the SERC campus entrance.
2
Look down, not up. The sundew plants grow close to the trail edges in wet, peaty patches — crouch down with a phone camera and shoot in morning light when the sticky droplets catch the sun like tiny jewels.
3
Pair this trail with the Schoodic Head loop (about 1.5 miles, moderate) the same morning. Together they give you both the forest floor experience and the peninsula's dramatic exposed granite summit in under three hours total.
