Accessible Trails
Explore the largest accessible mountain-based trail system in the country.
Trail News
The Crotched Mountain Accessible Trails are closed because of poor trail conditions. We will update as soon as they reopen. Thank you.
3-19-2025
With over 1,200 acres of permanently protected forest, open fields of wild blueberry and heather, and mysterious wetlands, Crotched Mountain is a place of unusual beauty.
Memories of hiking these woods to reach the summit, gazing at the sunset, or listening to the chatter of birds in an active wetland can last a lifetime. Crotched Mountain’s accessible trails provide a place where everyone – people with disabilities, seniors and families with children – are welcomed and able to experience nature up close.
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
About the Trails
As the longest accessible trails in a mountainside environment in the United States, the Gregg and Dutton Brook trails combine unique hardpack pathways, boardwalks, moderate grades, switchbacks, and rest stops to create a natural, yet accessible, hiking experience for people of all abilities.
The planning and building of these remarkable trails was led by renowned trail builder Peter Jensen, one of the country’s leading designers and builders of accessible trails. With thirty years of experience, Peter is considered the most skilled and knowledgeable builder of universal access trails in the country.
Funds for this $500,000 project were raised through private donations and grants.
Gregg Trail
Named after Crotched Mountain’s founder, Harry Gregg, this trail climbs to a knoll with panoramic views. A series of switchbacks with grades of no more than eight percent take hikers from the trailhead parking lot to the top of The Knoll, a distance of eight-tenths of a mile, one way.
The trail skirts extensive wild blueberry fields and crosses open grasslands, offering great vistas of Crotched Mountain and wildlife viewing. Once at The Knoll, hikers are rewarded with an observation deck and panoramic views to the west, south and east of Grand Monadnock, many distant hills and the Contoocook River Valley.
Dutton Brook Trail
This woodland trail, featuring diverse forest and animal habitats, descends to a loop that winds around an abandoned beaver-built wetland. Boardwalks and observation decks offer hikers opportunities to observe and learn about our native flora and fauna.
Interpretive signs familiarize visitors with the rich and complex natural beauty that abounds. Deer, moose, porcupine and many other upland species frequent this area that forms the headwaters for Dutton Brook. The wetlands are a sanctuary for many bird species. Round trip, the hike is about two miles.
Directions
If using GPS enter:
Crotched Mountain Accessible Trails
If your GPS doesn't identify this location automatically then enter:
1 Verney Drive
Greenfield, NH 03045
And follow your GPS directions to NH-31
If going via Greenfield turn onto NH-31 N
If going via Bennington turn onto NH-31 S
- There are ‘Trails’ signs going north and south on NH-31 about ½ mile from the turn onto Crotched Mountain Road.
- Look for road sign for Crotched Mountain Road - also marked by large roadside signage for the Crotched Mountain School and Village
- Drive on Crotched Mountain Road up a mountain incline for 1.6 miles. Before the top of the incline there’s another ‘Trails’ sign
- As the incline levels off, go pass another large roadside sign for the School/Village and a road sign for Verney Drive on your right
- Look for the large blue sign on the left stating “Crotched Mountain - Accessible Trails and Memorial Garden’
- Enter the trailhead entrance for the Crotched Mountain Accessible Trails on your left