Hadlock Brook Trail

Hadlock Brook Trail is a 1.5-mile, one-way climb from the Shady Hill access on ME 198 to the Sargent Mountain South Ridge Trail. It follows a wooded brook corridor uphill; it is not a loop, and the listed distance is only the climb. Allow about 1.5 hours one way. Retracing the route makes roughly a 3-mile round trip, while continuing along the ridge requires its own route plan.

The lower tread is mostly unconstructed, with exposed roots beside the brook and stone drainage dips. The historic trail inventory counts about 17 steps and 40 stepping stones along the route. As you climb, Waterfall Bridge appears above the 40-foot waterfall on Upper Hadlock Brook. Pause where the falls sit below the bridge’s granite arch; that is the route’s defining view.

This is one of the oldest routes on Sargent’s west side. It was once called Waterfall Trail and appears in early twentieth-century hiking records. Carriage-road construction later rerouted it, removing older features that included a bridge and steep stone steps, but the brookside climb still leads to the mountain’s south ridge.

Begin at the Shady Hill roadside parking area on ME 198, north of Upper Hadlock Pond. Expect a steady, steep ascent over roots, steps, and uneven stones. Dogs are allowed on Acadia trails on a leash no longer than six feet. Parking capacity, toilets, drinking water, and food at the trailhead were not found; check current park trail notices before setting out.