Devil's Hopyard State Park Trail
East Haddam, Conn. 1 of 7
The name of this trail doesn't match the heavenly reward you'll receive at the end of this 2.6-mile loop: a more than 60-foot drop waterfall called Chapman Falls. With views of rock faces, scenic overviews and dense Connecticut forests, you may find yourself wanting to run even farther than previously planned. Note: A compass and trail map are recommended on the numerous twists and turns throughout the park.
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trail raceSakonnet Greenway Trail
Portsmouth, R.I. 2 of 7
As the longest nature trail on Aquidneck Island, the 10-mile Sakonnet Greenway Trail offers a variety of options for beginner to long-distance runners. As one of the flatter options on this list, runners can venture out as far as they please and turn around at a halfway point. The short Portsmouth Loop Trail offers a 1.6-mile jaunt around corn and cattle fields. If you're up for a longer trek, the Middletown Northern & Southern Loop is a 4.4-mile option through working farms, over the Maidford River and past the Newport Vineyards.
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trail raceNorthfield Mountain
Northfield, Mass. 3 of 7
Located along the Connecticut River, Northfield Mountain offers 26 miles of trails and some of the most beautiful sights in the New England area. Once the trails have dried from the snow in the spring, runners and hikers are welcome to traverse the trails until the first big snowfall in December. For an easy 3.5-mile loop, check out the Hemlock Hill Trail, passing an abandoned granite quarry and a shelter called the Chocolate Pot—for (what else?) scoring a mug of hot chocolate in the winter months.
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trail raceTrails at Pineland Farms
New Glouchester, Maine 4 of 7
With more than 5,000 acres of open space and 30 kilometers of groomed trails, Pineland is a great option for year-round outdoor activities. The summer months allow for various difficulties of trail running—from flat and easy to hilly and rocky—while winter months bring opportunities for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. The trails don't allow dogs, however, so Fido will have to stay at home for this one.
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trail raceStowe Mountain (Trapp Trail System)
Stowe, Vt. 5 of 7
The hills are alive with the sound of... your huffing and puffing. The 2,500-acre property, owned by the von Trapp family (yes, that von Trapp family), offers more than 37 miles of trail to suit any trail runner's need. While you must buy a day pass to use the trails, the $10 is well worth it. Tackle the short but steep Stowe Pinnacle Trail for a decent challenge, or take Sugar Road out and back for a moderately difficult run up to four miles.
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trail raceWhite Mountain National Forest
Campton, N.H. 6 of 7
The New England region is well known for its lush, towering forests, and the White Mountains are the perfect place to see this beauty firsthand. The National Park has more than 1,200 miles of non-motorized trails, offering runs for beginners and experts alike. Basin Trail to Rim Junction is a popular medium-difficulty trail stretching 2.3 miles one way and should take less than two hours to complete.
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