Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway (SRK Greenway) is a continuous hiking trail loop approximately 75 miles long, located in central western New Hampshire. It links four state parks—Mount Sunapee, Winslow State Park on Kearsarge Mountain, Rollins State Park on Mount Kearsarge, and Pillsbury State Park—as well as several municipal and conserved lands. The trail system passes through a mix of hardwood and conifer forests, wetlands, and open ledges, supporting diverse flora and fauna including white-tailed deer, black bears, and rare bird species like peregrine falcons. Hikers encounter historic stone walls and old farmstead remains reflecting the area's colonial and agricultural past. The route includes several prominent peaks—Mount Sunapee (2,726 ft), Mount Kearsarge (2,937 ft), and Ragged Mountain (2,286 ft)—each offering stunning vistas of surrounding lakes, forests, and distant mountains. The Greenway’s loop design allows for both day hikes and longer backpacking trips with multiple connectors and side trails. In addition to hiking, the Greenway is popular for trail running, mountain biking on some sections, bird watching, and cross-country skiing in winter. The trail is maintained by the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition, a local nonprofit dedicated to conservation and public access. Its location within reach of regional towns like New London, Wilmot, and Warner makes it accessible for visitors seeking varied outdoor recreation in a relatively undeveloped setting. The Greenway’s combination of natural beauty, recreation diversity, and cultural history makes it a unique and appealing destination throughout much of the year.
