Backpacking Locations

One of the trail markers Troop 54 passed on the "M & M" while backpacking through Wendell State Forest (November 2009).

Area Trails

A few of the more major, well-marked and closer trails in our area:

• Midstate Trail - This Massachusetts north/south trail runs from New Hampshire to Rhode Island, passing quite close to Worcester (right through Treasure Valley Scout Reservation).
• Metacomet-Monadnock Trail - Often referred to as the "M and M Trail", this trail runs north/south though Massachsuetts a bit further west than Worcester and continues into New Hampshire. Several trail segments connect a series of trail shelters.
• North South Trail - This Rhode Island trail runs north/south, meeting up with the Midstate Trail at the Massachusetts border.
• Bay Circuit Trail and Greenway - A permanent recreation trail and greenway corridor extending through 34 towns in Eastern Massachusetts and linking the parks and open spaces surrounding metropolitan Boston, including 180 miles of trail.

Other area trails:

• Airline Trail - This Connecticut trail follows part of the railbed of a railroad that once connected Boston and New York.
• Appalachian Trail - Over 2000 miles long, this trail passes through our region in Western Connecticut, Western Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
• Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail - The MSGT is a 48 mile hiking trail that winds through New Hampshire, from Mount Monadnock to Mount Sunapee. There are shelters and camp sites along the way, and Mount Monadnock is a short hike from Camp Wanocksett, a Scout camp.
• Narragansett Trail - Just over twenty miles of trail crosses from Rhode Island into Connecticut, passing through Camp Yawgoog.
• Nehantic Trail - Another trail that crosses from Rhode Island into Connecticut, passing through Camp Yawgoog and Pachaug State Forest.
• New England Trail - The NET is a 215-mile long-distance hiking trail from Long Island Sound in CT to the MA/NH border.
• Nipmuck Trail - This trail covers 34.5 miles through the norhteast corner of Connecticut, passing close to Camp Pomperaug.
• Robert Frost Trail - Over forty miles long, this trail runs from Mt. Holyoke Range State Park in Granby, MA to Wendell State Forest in Wendell, MA.
• Southern New England Trunkline Trail - Runs approximately 22 miles from Franklin State Forest to Douglas State Forest.
• Tippecansett Trail - Another trail that crosses from Rhode Island into Connecticut, ending at Camp Yawgoog.
• Tully Trail - This eighteen mile loop trail connects three properties of the Trustees of Reservations, with a trailhead in Royalston, MA.
• Tunxis Trail - Including about 79 niles of trails, some of them side-trails, this trail system runs through the western Connecticut. Note that there are gaps in the trail.

Backpacking camp sites:

• Backcountry AMC Sites - This page details locations and cost of various sites.

Page updated 5/15/21 J. Froimson