A popular trail for over a century, Massachusetts’ Midstate Trail recently earned recognition as one of the “top 100 American hikes of a lifetime” according to National Geographic.
The rating comes from an National Geographic Exploere and expert hiker, Stephanie Pearson. The list of America’s best hikes ranges from easy to expert, highlighting the best hikes in each state.
Midstate Trail praise
For Massachusetts, Pearson highlighted the Midstate Trail which travels 92 miles through the Spirit of America and the Battle Road Trail, a fairly easy 5 mile hike, just 20 minutes outside of Boston and filled with early American history.
Pearson suggest that fall is the best time to complete the Midstate Trail, which was conceived in the 1920s at just 18 miles and since multiplied nearly 5 times in length. Unlike the summits of Vermont and New Hampshire, the highest point on the Midstate Trail is Wachusett Mountain, with an elevation just over 2,000 feet.
It’s a stunning vantage point for fall foliage but less precipitous to allow for moderate-skilled hikers to climb.
Best hikes in New England
Other New England hikes that made the list include Connecticut’s Metacomet Trail, the 235-mile-long New England National Scenic Trail which connects Connecticut and Massachusetts, Vermont’s Long Trail (best for expert hikers) and several others. Find the full list of New England standouts in America’s “top 100 hikes of a lifetime” below:
- Massachusetts
- Battle Road Trail (5 miles, Easy)
- Midstate Trail (92 miles, Moderate)
- New Hampshire
- Pemigewasset Loop (31.2 miles, Strenuous)
- Presidential Traverse (18.5 miles, Strenuous)
- Vermont
- Long Trail (272 miles, Strenuous)
- Mount Mansfield (4.5 miles, Moderate)
- North Country National Scenic Trail (4,800 miles, Strenuous)
- Rhode Island
- Cliff Walk (3.5 miles, Easy)
- Connecticut
- Metacomet Trail (62.3 miles, Moderate)
- New England National Scenic Trail (235 miles, Moderate)
- Maine
- Appalachian Trail (2,197 miles, Strenuous)
- Mount Katahdin Loop (8.3 miles, Strenuous)
Some of the mileage listed for each trail extends beyond borders trail completion varies from 1 hour to several months based on the lengths.
An easy quick hike that also made the list is the Battle Road Trail. The 5-mile hike is best enjoyed from May to October according to the publication. It stretches from Concord to Lexington and is situated in Minute Man Historic National Park. The path travels through a thick deciduous forests with turkeys, foxes, and coyotes.
