Cliff Trail

Cliff Trail is a short, rugged 0.8-mile one-way path across the shore of Western Head on Isle au Haut. It runs from the Western Head Road and Goat Trail junction to its southern junction with Western Head Trail. Expect several ups and downs over granite ledges above coves and rocky beaches; allow about 45 minutes one way. Published park distances differ by a tenth: the visitor trail table gives 0.7 mile and the trail-name catalog gives 0.8. The mapped line is about 0.81 mile, so 0.8 is the best fit for walking through. Retracing it makes the segment about 1.6 miles round trip.

Wooden steps and rough path alternate with bare granite. High points open toward the Atlantic; lower stretches dip toward narrow coves and stone beaches. Near the south end, a small beach faces Western Ear across a short channel. Frame the granite foreground with the low island across the water. The channel crossing is separate from the mapped trail and depends on the tide; do not count on reaching Western Ear as part of this hike.

Isle au Haut is reached by passenger-only ferry from Stonington. The ferry serves Town Landing year-round and adds a Duck Harbor stop from mid-June through late September; Duck Harbor is the better base for hiking, and Cliff Trail starts at a trail junction. The island has few services and no water source is identified along this segment, so bring what you need. A small store and post office are near Town Landing, not along the trail.

This is a moderate hike on rough terrain, not a smooth shoreline stroll. The island averages about 10°F cooler than the mainland; good footwear, a warm layer, and rain gear make sense here. Dogs are allowed on park trails when leashed no longer than six feet. From the south junction, you can continue on the separate Western Head Trail for a longer coastal walk.