The Monadnock region of New Hampshire is a hiker's paradise, offering a diverse range of trails for all levels of hikers, from easy and accessible walks to challenging cliff trails. The region is particularly famous for its eponymous mountain, Mount Monadnock, which is the most hiked mountain in the United States and the second most hiked mountain in the world. With easy trails, challenging cliff trails, steep and quick hikes, or more leisurely, gradual strolls, Mount Monadnock has something to offer for everyone, and the views from the top are truly breathtaking.
However, the Monadnock region is not limited to its namesake mountain, and there are plenty of other trails that are perfect for those who are looking for secluded wilderness experiences. These trails range from smaller hills to old rail trails and provide countless opportunities for outdoor exploration, often located close to village centers.
One of the most unique hiking experiences in the Monadnock region can be found at Crotched Mountain, which offers great hiking for anyone, but is especially accessible for people with disabilities. With trails that have been built with accessibility in mind, Crotched Mountain is a true gem in the Monadnock region.
For those looking for inspiration on where to start their spring hiking adventures, be sure to check out our blog post on the top spots for spring hiking in the Monadnock region. With so many incredible trails to choose from, it's no wonder why the Monadnock region is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Bald Mountain Preserve
hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, rock-climb
Visit Bald Mountain Preserve website
Mason Railroad Trail
walk, bike, cross-country ski, snowmobile, ride horseback, fish
17.7-miles from Greenville to the NH/MA border
Visit Mason Railroad Trail website
Common Pathway
bike, walk, cross-country ski
5.5 miles along the Contoocook River in Peterborough
Visit Common Pathway website
Monadnock Recreational Rail Trail
walk, bike, ride horseback, snowmobile, and cross-country ski
7.5 miles from Webster St in Jaffrey to the NH-MA state line
Visit Monadnock Recreational Rail Trail website
Granite Town Rail Trail
walk, bike, ride horseback, cross-country ski, fish
Visit Granite Town Rail Trail website
Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail
walk, bike, cross-country ski, ride horseback, snowmobile
21.5 miles from Keene Cheshire Rail Trail to Hinsdale Northfield Road/NH 63
Visit Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail website
Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail
walk, bike, ride horseback, snowmobile, cross-country ski
42 miles through Fitzwilliam, Keene, Marlborough, Swanzey, Troy, Walpole, and Westmoreland
Visit Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail website
Williams Van Zandt Family Preserve
Poocham Rd.
Westmoreland, NH
Visit Williams Van Zandt Family Preserve website
Warwick Preserve Loop
Ruth C. Warwick Preserve
near 580 NH-63
Westmoreland, NH 03467
Visit Warwick Preserve Loop website
Pisgah State Park
520 Old Chesterfield Rd
Winchester, NH 03470
(603) 271-3254
Visit Pisgah State Park website
Fort Hill Recreational Rail Trail
9 miles of rail trail
Hinsdale
Visit Fort Hill Recreational Rail Trail website
Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail
8 miles through Hillsborough, Deering, and Bennington
walk, bike, snowmobile, ride horseback, cross-country ski
Visit Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail website
Goss Park
475 Forest Road
Wilton, NH 03086
(603) 654-5600
Visit Goss Park website
Monadnock State Park
*!As of 9/2020, reservations to hike are required!*
Visit the website to make yours!
116 Poole Road
Jaffrey, NH 03452
(603)-532-8862
Visit Monadnock State Park website
Visit Madame Sherri Forest website
Wales Preserve
Spring Hill Rd
Sharon, NH 03458
Visit Wales Preserve website
Shieling Forest
Old Street Rd.
Peterborough NH 03458
(603) 431-6774
Visit Shieling Forest website
Pitcher Mountain
Route 123
Stoddard, NH 03464
Visit Pitcher Mountain website
Pierce Reservation
Stoddard, NH 03464
Visit Pierce Reservation website
Old Railroad Trail
runs 2.7 miles from the Peterborough Recycling Center to Forest Road in Hancock
biking, walking, cross-country skiing
Visit Old Railroad Trail website
Miller State Park
Rte 101E
Peterborough, NH 03458
(603) 924-3672
Visit Miller State Park website
Horatio Colony Museum & Nature Preserve
Daniels Hill Rd.
Keene, NH 03431
(603)-352-0460
Visit Horatio Colony Museum & Nature Preserve website
Hedgehog Mountain Forest
Deering, NH 03244
Visit Hedgehog Mountain Forest website
Goose Pond Loops
East Surry Road
Keene, NH 03431
Visit Goose Pond Loops website
Crotched Mountain Accessible Trails
1 Verney Drive
Greenfield, NH 03045
Visit Crotched Mountain Accessible Trails website
Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area
1823 Route 9
Chesterfield, NH 03443
(603) 363-8373
Visit Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area website
Bear Den Geological Park & Trail
1.1-mile trail in Gilsum for hiking, walking, birding
Visit Bear Den Geological Park & Trail website
Annett Wayside Park
538 Cathedral Road
Rindge, NH 03461
(603) 532-8862
Visit Annett Wayside Park website
Greenfield State Park
133 Beach Road
Greenfield, NH 03047
(603)547-3497
Visit Greenfield State Park website
Rhododendron State Park
424 Rockwood Pond Rd Fitzwilliam, NH 03447 (603) 532-8862
Visit Rhododendron State Park website
Mayfair Farm
31 Clymers Drive
Harrisville, NH 03450
(603) 827-3925
[email protected]
Visit Mayfair Farm website
Hampshire Hills Athletic Club
50 Emerson Road
Milford, New Hampshire 03055
(603) 673-7123
[email protected]
Visit Hampshire Hills Athletic Club website
Hilltop Golf Course
49 High St.,
Peterborough, NH 03458
(603) 924-7769
Visit Hilltop Golf Course website
Cathedral of the Pines
10 Hale Hill Rd
Rindge, NH 03461
(603) 899-3300
Visit Cathedral of the Pines website
Keene Horseshoe Club
603-358-6505
Visit Keene Horseshoe Club website
Hiking Reservoir Road
Visit Hiking Reservoir Road website
Harris Center for Conservation Education
83 King’s Highway
Hancock, NH 03449
(603) 525-3394
Visit Harris Center for Conservation Education website
Surry Mountain Lake
Surry Dam Rd.
Surry, NH 03431
(603) 352-2447
Visit Surry Mountain Lake website
Otter Brook Lake and Dam
480 Branch Rd.
Keene, NH 03431
Visit Otter Brook Lake and Dam website
Edward MacDowell Lake
75 Wilder St.
Peterborough, NH 03458
(603) 924-3431
Visit Edward MacDowell Lake website
Crotched Mountain
1 Verney Drive
Greenfield, NH 03047
Visit Crotched Mountain website
Wapack Trail
West Peterborough, NH 03468
Visit Wapack Trail website
Wantastiquet Natural Area, Summit Trail
Mountain Rd.
Chesterfield, NH 03443
Visit Wantastiquet Natural Area, Summit Trail website
Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail
Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail Club
P.O. Box 164
Marlow, NH 0345
Visit Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail website
McCabe Forest
Route 202
Antrim, NH 03440
Visit McCabe Forest website
Heald Tract
Wilton, Temple, Greenville, Mason NH
Visit Heald Tract website
Casalis Forest
Peterborough, NH 03458
Visit Casalis Forest website
Gap Mountain Reservation
Gap Mt. Rd. off Rt. 12
south of Troy,
Troy, NH 03465
Visit Gap Mountain Reservation website
Fox Forest
Hillsborough, NH 03244
Visit Fox Forest website