Trails / Massachusetts / North Quabbin Region

New England Trail: Mount Grace to Royalston Falls

New England National Scenic Trail (Metacomet-Monadnock Trail), Mount Grace State Forest, Warwick State Forest, and Royalston Falls Reservation (Warwick and Royalston)

The New England Trail’s northernmost miles in Massachusetts run from the foot of Mount Grace through Warwick State Forest to Royalston Falls, near the New Hampshire line. The trail, which follows the old Metacomet-Monadnock Trail here, has two lean-tos on this stretch, one at each end, and a reservable cabin a day’s walk to the south.

The New England Trail says camping is allowed only at designated overnight sites and that it doesn’t condone stealth camping, since much of the trail crosses private land.

The hike

Backpacker’s 2013 route starts at the Mount Grace State Forest parking lot and climbs to the 1,621-foot summit, where “a five-story fire tower presents a three-state view over rolling hills.” The New England Trail says Section 17 reaches the summit by the “Old Snowshoe Trail” and ends with a descent to MA 78. The Thousand Miler places the Mount Grace campsite 0.3 mile from MA 78; the summit is 1.5 miles from the road.

North of MA 78, Section 18 runs 8.9 miles through Warwick and Royalston, with about 1,874 feet of climbing, according to the New England Trail. It starts in unbroken woodland and reaches the shore of Richards Reservoir in Warwick State Forest. Backpacker puts the reservoir 1.8 miles past MA 78 and mentions a side trail to “a bed of moss 30 feet above the water.” The route then climbs to Richmond Road and continues 2.7 miles through hemlocks to Mayo Hill, and 0.6 mile more to a ridge with a view of Mount Monadnock.

Backpacker describes dipping into New Hampshire, then heading south to Bliss Hill Road, where the trail merges with the yellow-blazed Tully Trail. In 0.9 mile it reaches MA 32 and Newton Cemetery, with weathered stones about two centuries old, and the shelter is 0.6 mile beyond. The New England Trail puts the shelter in Section 19, a 0.7-mile stretch alongside the Tully Trail that turns north at Falls Brook in the Trustees’ Royalston Falls Reservation. Backpacker suggests a detour to the 45-foot Royalston Falls; the New England Trail calls the side trip about 2 miles round trip.

From here the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail continues north into New Hampshire toward Mount Monadnock, but that part isn’t part of the national scenic trail.

For a longer trip, start farther south at the Richardson-Zlogar Cabin on Stratton Mountain in Northfield. The Thousand Miler puts it just under a mile past the Alexander Hill parking area, about 8 miles south of MA 78, and the New England Trail says it looks out at Mount Grace, Mount Ascutney, Mount Monadnock, and Mount Wachusett.

Tips

Call the Warwick Police before leaving a car overnight, as Backpacker advises (978-544-2244).
Book the cabin ahead. The New England Trail confirms cabin stays after you post on its shelter schedule.
Fill up at Mountain Brook near the Mount Grace campsite.
Expect to share the Royalston Falls shelter. It has four bunks.
Check the NET closures page. It lists parking changes on other Massachusetts sections.

Camping

The New England Trail lists nine designated overnight sites on the whole trail and says camping is allowed only at them. On this trip:

Mount Grace Lean-To: The Thousand Miler describes “a newer, 10′ x 13′” shelter at a spacious camp with a fire ring and two grills, first come, first served, steps off the trail.
TTOR Lean-To at Royalston Falls: Four bunks, four walls with no front door, first come, first served (New England Trail). The Trustees, which own it, prohibit open fires and alcohol there; stoves are allowed.
Richardson-Zlogar Cabin (optional): A loft with three twin mattresses, benches, and two tent platforms (New England Trail); stays confirmed through the NET’s schedule.

Inside Intel: The Thousand Miler, writing for Backpacker in 2018, says of the Stratton Mountain campsite at the Richardson-Zlogar Cabin: “Sunrise is spectacular from this east-facing campsite.” At the other end, New England Waterfalls rates the Royalston Falls shelter 8 of 10 for scenery.

Trail facts

Distance: About 9.6 miles, MA 78 to the end of Section 19 (NET section mileages)
Route type: Point to point; extension south to Stratton Mountain about 8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: Mount Grace summit 1,621 feet
Campsites: Mount Grace Lean-To, Royalston Falls Lean-To; Richardson-Zlogar Cabin to the south
Water: Mountain Brook near Mount Grace; Richards Reservoir; Falls Brook. Treat all water.
Permits: None for lean-tos; cabin stays confirmed by the NET
Fires: Prohibited at Royalston Falls
Trailheads: Mount Grace State Forest on MA 78, Warwick; MA 32, Royalston
Last verified: October 8, 2026

The Lowdown

Supper at the Mount Grace lean-to:

The Mount Grace camp has a fire ring and two grills, but Royalston Falls is stove-only. See the backpacking stoves reviewers recommend.

Read the full guide →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.