Keene: Trails, Parks and History

Keene is a destination where outdoor trails, parks and historical perspectives each offer a different focus. These aspects come to life on the singletracks, the Stonewall Farm trails and at the Wyman Tavern. There are also 18 parks and several named trails of different lengths and types. When planning, consider not only whether you want to be active outdoors, but also what kind of trail and other interests you want your vacation to revolve around.

From the Rail Trail to the Singletracks

Keene has a developed Rail Trail that is eight miles long. In addition, there are more than 40 miles of scenic singletrack trails for hiking and biking. The singletracks are specifically described as an option for hiking and biking days; the Rail Trail adds a distinct type of trail to the selection. This lets you distinguish the trails by type and desired activity rather than viewing them as a single, uniform offering. The two distance figures also provide a concrete comparison of their respective lengths: eight miles of Rail Trail compared with more than 40 miles of singletracks.

Compare Hiking Trails by Length and Type

The individual hiking trails also have clear differences. The Beaver Brook Falls hiking trail is about two miles long and is an out-and-back route. The Robin Hood Loop Trail goes around the pond and is about 1.7 miles long. The Goose Pond Loop goes around Goose Pond and is about 2.0 miles long. Beaver Brook Falls and Goose Pond are therefore similar in approximate length, but differ in route type: one is out and back, while the other loops around the pond. The Jonathan Daniels Trail runs through Ashuelot River Park and, at about 0.87 miles, is the shortest of the four trails listed. The approximate lengths and described route types help you compare the routes by these features.

Stonewall Farm: Trails and Agriculture

Stonewall Farm welcomes visitors to the farm, woods and trails free of charge. The farm’s trails are open for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing. This makes a range of outdoor activities available alongside the farm and woods. Stonewall Farm is the oldest and only still-operating dairy farm in Keene, New Hampshire. Here, agriculture and outdoor trails are part of the same destination. If you are planning a visit, it is a good idea to check the farm’s access information again beforehand.

Parks and Historical Perspectives

Keene has 18 parks, including a bike park and a skate park. These examples illustrate the variety within the parks offering and complement the hiking trails with other interests. The Wyman Tavern offers a historical perspective: its building became a museum in a historic home in 1968. Keene’s attractions thus range from spending time outdoors in parks and on trails to a historical perspective on the building.

Choose the Focus of Your Keene Vacation

When looking for a vacation rental in Keene, your travel interests can help you decide. Consider whether you want to focus mainly on hiking and biking, on individual trails by length and type, or on a mix of farm, parks and history.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Harrisville, Swanzey, Jaffrey, Fitzwilliam, Chesterfield, Rindge.

Go to the parent travel overview: Cheshire.