New England National Scenic Trail - NET

Views From the New England Trail: MA Section 19 & Royalston Falls

This is MA Section 19 of the NET. It is the northernmost section of the trail and runs concurrently with the Tully Trail, protected by the Trustees of Reservations for over 70 years.

It can be accessed through parking on MA Route 32. This section of the NET descends into the Falls Brook area, which flows into the nearby Royalston Falls. It is a great spring hike, especially on a rainy day where you’ll see the brook and waterfall at their peak.

If you stay on the NET you’ll hike up to the New Hampshire state line, making your way onto the Metacomet-Monadnock trail, with 18 miles to the summit of Mt. Monadnock. If you keep down the Tully Trail, you will end up at Royalston Falls. The hike to Royalston Falls makes for a good in-and-out hike, with a round trip of about 1.5 miles. Dogs on leash are welcome as well.

For thru hikers, there is a lean-to shelter a mile into the section with four bunks and nearby water access. As with other overnight sites, reservations for the shelter are available via the NET website.

📸 Thank you to Benji van der Hulst, AMC NET Outreach Assistant, for these wonderful snapshots of Section 19 & Royalston Falls!

The NET Crew wishes you all a very Happy Earth Day!

As a National Scenic Trail, we are lucky to have amazing organizations like Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Appalachian Mountain Club, and National Park Service helping to maintain, protect, and conserve the New England Trail. Without these organizations, the NET would not be the same.

We hope you are able to today and take a moment to thank the Earth for everything it gives us 🌍

📸Thank you to Karl Fellenbaum for capturing this wonderful sunset over the NET from a few years ago ☺️

Attention NET enthusiasts, the MA Section 16 Cross Street lot is temporarily closed due to ground conditions/mud season. Additionally, parking is now prohibited in the Route 2 lot per landowner request on MA Section 16 as well.

Thank you for understanding! Be safe this weekend!

For updates on closures and notices, please see our website: https://newenglandtrail.org/closures-notices/