Crotched Mountain > Foundation > ACCESSIBLE HIKING TRAILS                                          

The trails are CLOSED for hiking Due to the recent snow and rainfall, our accessible trails have become too soft and are currently closed in order to protect them from damage. Check back here soon for trail opening updates. Crotched Mountain officially opened its accessible trails to the public on Saturday, June 25, 2011. The trails, built to the exacting accessibility standards of the U.S. Forest Service, are more than 2.4 miles in length. They are the longest accessible trails in a mountain environment in the U.S. The trails were constructed by Peter Jensen and Associates one of the country's leading designers and builders of accessible trails. Funds for this $500,000 project were raised through private donations and grants. The opening of the trails and trailhead parking area complete the first phase of the Outdoor Recreation Master Plan developed by Crotched Mountain in 2006. Two trails have been completed. The Dutton Brook Trail is a 2.0 round trip mile trail that extends through multiple forest habitats and loops around an abandoned beaver pond. It focuses on outdoor education and features multiple interpretive signs. The Gregg Trail, named after the founding family of the Crotched Mountain Foundation and Rehabilitation Center, is just under a mile in length and rises several hundred feet to a mountain plateau featuring magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. The trails are CLOSED for hiking Due to the recent snow and rainfall, our accessible trails have become too soft and are currently closed in order to protect them from damage. Check back here soon for trail opening updates.  Trail Map What to Know Before You Go   Before you leave inform someone of your itinerary and expected time of return. For safety, it's a good idea to have a buddy hike with you especially if it's your first time Pets and animals are not permitted on the trail (service animals are allowed) There are no bicycles or motorized vehicles allowed on the trails (motorized and manual wheelchairs are permitted) No camping, open fires, glass, or smoking permitted on the trails Stay on the trails; stepping off the trails can lead to erosion and other trail damage Keep your distance from any wild animals you encounter Please carry out everything that you carry on to the trails Hiking Checklist Trail Map Weather-appropriate clothing Sturdy Shoes Water Charged cell phone Fully charged wheelchair battery Sunscreen Insect Repellent Trail Hours Both trails open 30 minutes after sunrise and close 30 minutes before sunset depending on current trail conditions. Trail Openings and Closures These trails can be damaged if weather conditions such as excessive rain make them too soft. It may be necessary for Crotched Mountain to close the trails in these circumstances Contact us for trail openings and closures before your hike. Check this web page for daily updates.

Trails Through the Media... Learn more about our award winning trails through national media coverage as well as our own informational podcasts. The Trails at Crotched Mountain The Crotched Mountain network of over 4 miles of gently sloping, fully accessible trails allows anyone to experience the natural world, enjoy the companionship of friends, or seek solitude in a place of extraordinary beauty. From a summit trail with views over three states, to a wetland bog, the Crotched Mountain trails beckon hikers of all abilities. More... Taking the iBot to Crotched Mountain Mitch Sturgeon of Enjoying the Ride recently took his iBot on Crotched Mountain's accessible hiking trails. In this video, he describes his experience. We invite anyone to come enjoy the trails. More... The Joy of Accessible Hiking Trails For people with disabilities or older folks with trouble getting around, getting away from civilization and fully enjoying nature can be a challenge. Crotched Mountain Foundation in Greenfield, NH recently opened the largest high mountain accessible trail system in the U.S. Crotched's trails were built to exacting U.S. Forest Service specifications. In this podcast we talk with nationally regarded Forest Service accessible trails expert Janet Zeller who advised on Crotched Mountain Foundation's groundbreaking trail project. More ...         NHPR feature story on Trails – Sept 29, 2011 On Many people may not think twice before heading out on a fall day to climb a mountain. But for people with a disability, or who simply have trouble moving around, choices are limited. But there's one in southern New Hampshire now with the opening of Crotched Mountain Foundation's accessible mountain trail system. More... Trails featured in Emerging Horizons - August 2, 2011 New Accessible Trails at Crotched Mountan On June 25, 2011 the Crotched Mountain Foundation marked the completion of their Outdoor Recreation Master Plan, with the grand opening of two new wheelchair-accessible trails on their main campus in Greenfield, New Hampshire. Located just 75 miles from Boston, these trails are open to the public and present an excellent opportunity for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to get out and enjoy More Nature. More... Crotched Mountain Earns 2011 Governor's Accessibility Award - July 26, 2011 Governor John Lynch presented Crotched Mountain Foundation with the 2011 Governor's Accessibility Award in recognition of its new accessible hiking trails at a ceremony in the Executive Council Chamber on July 26, 2011. The award also recognized the nonprofit for going above and beyond to remove barriers which bar persons with disabilities from participating in the mainstream of society. The Governor's Commission on Disabilities recommended the Foundation for this award. More ... WMUR News 9 Feature: Trails Accommodate People with Disabilities - July 11, 2011 New trails designed to accommodate people with physical disabilities have opened in New Hampshire. Wider, hard-packed trails with no obstacles make experiencing the outdoors easier for people in wheelchairs. The project was undertaken by the Crotched Mountain Foundation. More...             USA Today's Top Ten Travel Story: NH Outdoor Trails Offer Disabled Access - July 1, 2011 Considered unique by the U.S. Forest Service for offering the disabled unparalleled access to mountain wilderness, the 2 1/2 miles of trails at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in southern New Hampshire opened to the public on June 24. More...

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