Skip to Content
Donate
New England National Scenic Trail logo on a tree stump
New England National Scenic Trail Logo
New England Trail / Kathleen Murphy

New England National Scenic Trail

From the long ridges of Connecticut to the highlands of Massachusetts, the New England National Scenic Trail covers 235 miles of panoramic vistas, offering visitors a glimpse into the natural and cultural landscape of southern New England.

Designated as a National Scenic Trail in 2009, the 235-mile route extends through 41 communities. Starting from Guilford, Connecticut at the Long Island Sound, the trail continues along the Metacomet Ridge, through the highlands of the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, and ends at the New Hampshire border. It has been in existence for over half a century and is comprised primarily of the historic Mattabesett, Metacomet, and Monadnock Trail systems of northeastern tribes.

The New England National Scenic Trail was officially recognized as a unit of the National Park Service in 2023 and is managed in partnership with the Appalachian Mountain Club and Connecticut Forests & Park Association.

In 2023, the National Park Foundation supported the Trust for Public Land in purchasing a 205-acre property along the trail in Southwick, Massachusetts, a crucial parcel of land that will add to the trail’s footpath, making a more connected and complete New England National Scenic Trail.

Park Updates