New England National Scenic Trail landscape

Photo by Jonathan Ng on Unsplash

New England National Scenic Trail

~29 days · 195.5 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance195.5 mi
Days out29
Elevation gain22,323 ft
Gain / mile114 ft
High point1,621 ft
Difficulty index54/100

What the New England National Scenic Trail is known for

New England National Scenic Trail is a 14-21 (thru)-day backpacking route in Massachusetts / Connecticut.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the New England National Scenic Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 10 ft to 4,724 ft over 195.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 70.0 mi · 36%
  • Downhill 65.3 mi · 33%
  • Flat 59.9 mi · 31%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the New England National Scenic Trail?

54 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the New England National Scenic Trail scores 54/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the New England National Scenic Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the New England National Scenic Trail in about 29 days (28 nights out) over its 195.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the New England National Scenic Trail?

The New England National Scenic Trail climbs roughly 22,323 ft total — about 114 ft per mile, topping out near 1,621 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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