Find Lodging Find Dining Find Shopping Monadnock Region Events Vacation Packages In The Monadnock Region Hiking Mount Monadnock Advertise Your Business
 

Region News 

Please e-mail me monthly
NEWS & SPECIAL OFFERS
from the Monadnock Region!

Email Address:
 
 

Hiking In The Monadnock Region

The Monadnock Region is the perfect spot for hiking. Whether you're interested in short day hikes or longer backpacking journeys, we've got trails you're going to love. These range from short walks in the woods and get-a-ways, to all day (or longer) treks that take you through some beautiful countryside.

In addition you can explore Mt. Monadnock, "the most climbed" mountain in the world. Have you discovered a favorite hike? Send us an e-mail and let us know where you like to go in Southwest New Hampshire!

Below is a small sampling of hiking trails:

Crotched Mountain. There are three trails to the summit of this 2,055 foot mountain. Bennington Trail starts 3-miles north of Greenfield on Rt. 31 at a sign marked "Crotched Mt. Top - Bennington Trail." Greenfield Trail starts beyond the entrance to Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center buildings. Francestown Trail starts at the base area of the Crotched Mt. Ski Area and follows the easiest ski trail.

Drummer Hill Preserve. Located off Elm Street in Keene, the Preserve is a series of unmarked logging roads that wind through 140-acres of public and private conservation land.

Fox State Forest. Located on Center Road in Hillsborough, the Forest has over 20 miles of trails for the day hiker with 1,432 acres of woodland.

Horatio Colony Trust Nature Preserve. A 415-acre privately held nature preserve, which is open to the public, comprising most of the top of West Hill in Keene. Horatio Colony II established the nature preserve in 1977. A trail marked with red diamonds can be reached by following a woods road/trail west from the parking lot. A free trail guide is available at a kiosk near the start of the trail. The guide points out both environmental and historical landmarks. 3 1/2 miles of hiking trails take you up a steep ridge and through mixed forest. On the top of the ridge are several small swamps. A clearing on the west side of the ridge offers a view of West Keene and the stone foundation of a small cabin, Tip Top House, once used by the Colony family.
Directions: Turn south off Route 9 in Keene onto Daniels Hill Road (about 1/2 mile west of Monadnock Marketplace) and immediately look for a sign and small parking area along the road on the left.

Metacomet Trail. This trail was designed as a through trail for backpackers, but lends itself well for day hikes as it crosses many roads. The trail, marked with white rectangles, runs from Connecticut, through Massachusetts and ends on Mt. Monadnock.

Shieling Forest. A series of walking trails off Old Street Road in Peterborough.

Wapack Trail. The Wapack is a 21 mile ridge-line trail that offers spectacular views throughout its run from Mt. Watatic in Massachusetts to North Pack Monadnock in Greenfield, NH. The trails is marked by yellow paint marks on the trees and is easy to follow.

In addition to these trails, many visitors wish to hike Mt. Monadnock. You'll find a list of the five major trails up Mount Monadnock here.

 
   
Site copyright © 2001 - 2012 - SouthwestNH Guides - All Rights reserved.

site design - sykes associates, keene, new hampshire