The Hidden Trails For Runners To Check Out In New England
Hidden Trails For Runners To Check Out In New England
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Greenway Trails
You’ll have to take a boat to enjoy this trail—but that’s part of the charm. Jump on the Block Island Ferry from Judith, R.I., and after 40 minutes you’ll be in one of the most beautiful nature preserves on the East Coast. The island offers 28 miles of trails where you’ll see piping plovers and seagulls skimming the shore. Follow your run with a homemade waffle cone at the Ice Cream Place.
Jordan Pond Shore Path
An excuse to bask in the stunning, stark beauty of Maine’s Acadia National Park, this path offers a flat loop around the crystal waters of Jordan Pond. Insider’s tip: Visit in autumn when the fall foliage will take your breath away and be on watch for moose and even bears along the route.
Long Trail
Dating back to the early 20th century, this aptly named trail is one of the oldest in the United Sates. The trail starts in Massachusetts and winds all the way up through Vermont to the Canadian border—273 miles away. The route traverses some of the highest summits in the state, but runners can easily drop in for a few beautiful moss-covered miles.
Minuteman National Historical Park
Just 25 minutes outside of Boston, this park’s 5-ish-mile crushed gravel trail is not only the perfect surface for a tempo run, it’s rich with history, too. In 1775, British soldiers marched Battle Road on the first day of the Revolutionary War—and along the way runners can see the site of Paul Revere’s capture and the historic homes of American soldiers.
Shenipsit Trail
Stretching between Connecticut’s Meshomasic and Shenipsit State Forests, this state-maintained trail provides 41 miles of wild terrain. Waterfalls, lakes and fern-covered forest line the hilly dirt path that cuts through the center of the Nutmeg State.