Hiking the Lower Harbor Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance (Full Loop): 2.4 miles / 3.9 km
The Lower Harbor Trail in Acadia National Park is one of the least-hiked trails on the Schoodic Peninsula, but in my opinion, it’s arguably the better of the two coastal hikes when comparing the Lower Harbor Trail and the Sundew Trail.
That said, the Sundew Trail is known less for its views and more for the unique carnivorous plants that can be seen growing alongside the trail, while the Lower Harbor Loop is better for the areas that can be explored along the water.
In any case, the Lower Harbor Trail can either be hiked as a 2.4-mile (3.9 km) out-and-back trail from the southern to the northern trailhead or by utilizing the bike paths along the eastern side of Schoodic Loop Road, creating the 2.4-mile (3.9 km) Lower Harbor Loop Trail, as it is often referred to.
Lower Harbor Trailhead Parking
While there is more than one trailhead on the Lower Harbor Trail because the loop crosses Schoodic Loop Road, parking is not allowed on the park road. This means that the only parking available for the Lower Harbor Trail is located at the Schoodic Woods Ranger Station.
Remember to purchase your National Park pass in advance and display your pass or entrance receipt here and at every trailhead in Acadia National Park, whether you went through an official entrance station or not. Yes, law enforcement officers check parked cars throughout Acadia, and I have seen tickets handed out to vehicles not following the rules of a U.S. fee area.
On a different note, be aware that Acadia National Park is one of the busiest parks in the country, and finding a place to park, even at less-known trailheads, can be incredibly challenging during the busiest times of the year.
Google Maps Directions: Lower Harbor Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Acadia
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Acadia National Park.
Hiking the Lower Harbor Trail
From the Schoodic Woods Ranger Station parking lot, walk toward Schoodic Loop Road to find where the Lower Harbor Trail begins on the west side.
Schoodic Loop Road
Go right at the intersection with Schoodic Loop Road, and the trailhead will be found on the left-hand side shortly ahead.
Lower Harbor Trailhead
After 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Lower Harbor Trail officially begins.
Initially, the Lower Harbor Trail descends to the water, where it parallels a small inlet of Winter Harbor for the majority of the hike.
Once the Lower Harbor Trail reaches the water, the views become much more frequent for the rest of the hike until the trail crosses back over Schoodic Loop Road.
These are some of the views looking toward Sargents Island and the Mount Desert Narrows.
In my experience, the Lower Harbor Trail can be muddier than other trails in Acadia National Park after it has recently rained, which is why I want to encourage wearing good shoes for this coastal adventure, like my preferred trail runners linked below.
This is one of the last viewpoints at low tide, near the northern end of the inlet.
When the Lower Harbor Trail turns away from the small inlet of Winter Harbor, the loop begins to head back toward Schoodic Loop Road.
That said, some park visitors opt to turn back here to return by way of the coastal hike. However, if you prefer to return on the fastest route to the Schoodic Woods Ranger Station, continue forward, as the bike paths that complete the loop are much faster to walk than returning on the Lower Harbor Trail.
Schoodic Loop Road
Upon reaching Schoodic Loop Road, go right, then look for the Lower Harbor Trail on the left-hand side across the road.
On a different note, this is the northern trailhead referenced previously, where I mentioned that parking is not allowed, which may result in a fine if you choose to leave your car here.
Once on the east side of the Lower Harbor Loop, it’s only a 0.1-mile (0.2 km) hike to reach the first of two bike paths that the trail crosses.
Lower Harbor-Frazer Creek Bike Path Junction
The Frazer Creek Bike Path is the first of two different bike paths that the Lower Harbor Trail crosses, and it’s also the fastest route back to the beginning—should you decide to leave the loop here.
By this, I mean that the true Lower Harbor Trail continues for another 0.25 miles (0.4 km) to the Birch Harbor Mountain Bike Path, as shown below. However, if you are interested in cutting out about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) from the overall hike, go right to begin walking the bike path.
I chose to go left to continue on the rest of the Lower Harbor Trail.
Lower Harbor-Birch Harbor Mountain Bike Path Junction
After roughly 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from the Schoodic Woods Ranger Station, the Lower Harbor Trail ends at the Birch Harbor Mountain Bike Path.
That being said, go right here to return to the beginning of the loop.
Birch Harbor Mt. Bike Path-Frazer Creek Bike Path Junction
After just 0.1 miles (0.2 km) on the Birch Harbor Bike Path, the path ends at the same Frazer Creek Bike Path that the Lower Harbor Trail previously crossed.
Here, go left to return to the beginning, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) away.
Frazer Creek Bike Path-Lower Harbor Trailhead Junction
When the Lower Harbor Loop returns back to the beginning, the bike path and the road are connected by this short trail on the right-hand side.
Be aware that this split can be easy to miss, which is why I recommend referencing a map when you’re close to the end.
Mount Desert Island
Schoodic Peninsula
