North South Trail
~6 days · 79 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the North South Trail is known for
Rhode Island's North South Trail crosses the state border to border, about 78 miles from Blue Shutters Beach on the Atlantic to the Massachusetts line in the Buck Hill management area. A point-to-point route on woods roads, blue-blazed trail, and a fair share of pavement; legal camping is scarce, so plan stages ahead.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 52 ft to 2,552 ft over 79 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 13.5 mi · 17%
- Downhill 25.6 mi · 33%
- Flat 39.1 mi · 50%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the North South Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the North South Trail scores 20/100, a relative rating across the 569 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 North South Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the North South Trail in about 6 days (5 nights out) over its 79 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the North South Trail?
The North South Trail climbs roughly 3,301 ft total — about 42 ft per mile, topping out near 804 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — 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.