Mount Monadnock’s trail system and awe-inspiring views make summiting this 3,165-foot mountain a rite of passage for many outdoor enthusiasts. To help keep Mt. Monadnock safe and welcoming for hikers, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and New Hampshire State Parks will be hosting the 19th Annual Monadnock Trails Week, September 4-8, 2025. Trail improvement projects are planned on several trails on the mountain in this weeklong event.

The Forest Society is the majority landowner of Mount Monadnock, holding more than 4,500 acres of conservation land. Forest Society-owned lands on Mount Monadnock are leased to New Hampshire State Parks and together the organizations manage Monadnock State Park for the more than 125,000 visitors that seek its year-round recreational opportunities.

Last year more than 45 volunteers, Forest Society staff, and NH State Parks personnel logged almost 1,000 hours over the course of the week. The collective efforts greatly improved the trails and experience for all that hike Monadnock and Gap Mountains.

This year volunteers will be able to work on a variety of trail maintenance projects on Gap Mountain South Trail and Mount Monadnock with a heavy focus on the Marlboro Trail. Each project crew will be led by experienced and professional trail workers. Whether it is your first- or fiftieth time doing trail work, it’s a great opportunity to learn new skills, have fun, and do good work. Projects will range from basic maintenance to building trail structures from rock or wood.

Depending on volunteer interest, we hope to once again be hosting affinity crews (such as women, LGBTQIA+, youth, etc.) to help foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for people to get involved with trail work.

“We could not keep Mt. Monadnock safe for hikers without the volunteers that come out to help maintain the trails every year,” states Jack Savage, president for the Forest Society. “The Annual Monadnock Trails Week gives outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to give back to one of New Hampshire’s most beloved landscapes, Mt. Monadnock, and share in camaraderie and community through stewardship.”

How to Volunteer
No trail work experience is necessary; conservation professionals will lead groups to complete different projects. Come ready to work and learn about tool safety and best practices for trail maintenance. Tools and safety gear provided. Children 13-15 welcome with an adult guardian/supervisor; 16–17-year-olds must get signed parental permission form/waiver. People can participate for one or all days of the event; days run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To sign up visit https://www.forestsociety.org/monadnock-trails-week before August 23rd. For more information or questions, please contact Laurel Swope-Brush at lswopebrush@forestsociety.org.

ABOUT THE FOREST SOCIETY
The Forest Society is a private, non-profit land trust and forestry organization established in 1901. The Forest Society now owns 200 protected forests constituting more than 65,000 acres in 105 New Hampshire communities across the state. In addition, it currently holds nearly 800 conservation easements statewide permanently protecting an additional 131,000 acres of New Hampshire’s natural landscape.

ABOUT NH STATE PARKS
The Division of Parks and Recreation is one of five divisions of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. N.H. State Parks is comprised of the Bureau of Park Operations, the Bureau of Historic Sites, the Bureau of Trails, the Bureau of Community Recreation and Cannon Mountain Ski Area. The Division manages 94 properties, including state parks, beaches, campgrounds, historic sites, trails, waysides, and natural areas. To learn more, visit nhstateparks.org, follow N.H. State Parks on Facebook, Instagram and X, or call 603-271-3556.