New England National Scenic Trail


From the Sound to the Summits: the New England Trail covers 215 miles from Long Island Sound across long ridges to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail offers panoramic vistas and close-ups of New England’s natural and cultural landscape: traprock ridges, historic village centers, farmlands, unfragmented forests, quiet streams, steep river valleys and waterfalls.

More than 100 public roads cross the New England Trail, and there are trail head parking areas at or near many of these crossings. Detailed Trail Maps are available from Appalachian Mountain Club and Connecticut Forest & Park Association. For Massachusetts maps, visit the AMC Berkshire Chapter; for Connecticut, visit the CFPA Bookstore. Direct access by bus is available at several points in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Train service is available at two points – in Guilford, CT and Northampton, MA.

  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Food
  • Dining
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Snowshoeing

  • Animals
  • Forests and Woodlands
  • Natural Sounds
  • Night Sky
  • Scenic Views
  • Trails
  • Waterfalls
  • Wilderness

Sunset on the trail

Hiker in trees at overlook with sunset in background

Scenic views on the New England Trail

Fall on the NET

Fall trees on the mountains of the trail

Fall on the New England Trail

Mt Tom Overlook

Overview of the trail in the fall

Mount Tom Overlook

NET College Network Retreat

Youth gather around a trail head

Youth hike to Farley Ledge

YAP on Mt Higby

Two youth pointing out over the trail from the top of Mt Higby

Hikers pointing out over Mount Higby