Are you looking for a good place to go for an afternoon stroll or a day hike with a twist? Look no further, these places offer a good time with a dark past. Bring your favorite ghost hunting equipment, because chances are you’ll discover something lurking in these Haunted New England trails.
Nine men’s misery, Cumberland RI
On the grounds of an old Monastery in Cumberland RI there’s a stone structure just off the well worn trail. Sometimes difficult to find, the stacked block and small plaque atop a small hill mark the final resting spot of the nine survivors of Pierces battle. After losing the battle the nine men were either driven or taken to the spot by the Wampanoag’s where they were tortured and eventually killed. Having been part of King Phillips war the spot may be the oldest Veteran memorial in America. There seem to be many stories of the paranormal associated with this site, and I can tell you from personal experience that there is a weight to the atmosphere near the old mound. I felt as though I was being followed while walking back to my car.
Cumberland, RI 02864
Harold parker state forest, Andover MA
This 3,000-acre forest locate just twenty miles north of Boston is reported to have unmarked graves, disembodied voices and ghostly green lights visible, not surprisingly, around the witching hour, or 3am. Harold Parker State Park has ample recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, swimming, camping and picnicking. This sounds like a great place to explore, I’m definitely going to make a trek here at some point to hike and explore the forest, maybe get in a little bass fishing. If I see any spirits or hear disembodied footsteps I will A: scream and run and B: update this list to include my experience.
1951 Turnpike Street Rte. 114 N.
Andover, Massachusetts
MT. Chocorua, White Mountains NH
Described as one of the most climbed and photographed peaks in the White Mountains, Mt. Chocorua is not only steeped in beauty but also in legend. The peak was named for a local Indian chief whose son died while in the care of a settler named Cambell. Chocorua is said to have killed Cambells family in vengeance for the death of his son and subsequently chased to the peak, where he met his fate being either thrown or having jumped.
You can find information on the trail here, and if you’re interested in more haunted hikes in New Hampshire check this link.
Glastenbury Mountain, Glastenbury, VT
I’m just going to start with this, when I hear “Ghost town” and I find an article that starts with “Don’t go here” I’m immediately intrigued. I’ve heard of some ghost towns in New England, Dogtown on the north shore comes to mind, but the article I found Glastenbury in mentions three. The reason for not going there seems to mostly be about missing hikers, people have seemingly attempted to traverse the thick woods around Glastenbury MT and just, disappeared. Not much is left of the town that can be found, a few foundations at best. The article mentions UFO sightings but doesn’t elaborate, and also points at interdimensional gateways that could lead to lost souls.
Personally, I would have no problem visiting this ghost town, but I would definitely let someone know where I was going as well as take a trusted friend to hike with.
Devils Hopyard State Park, East Haddam CT
This is one that is not too far from Home. Devils Hopyard has a great legend and history in CT. Legend has it that as the Devil traversed the valley his tail got wet and so he stomped his way up the falls leaving cloven prints of various sizes on each step. I did find on the falls that there are round holes in the stone that do resemble oversized hoof prints. You can find my blog about Devils hopyard here.
Kennebunkport, ME The Ghost ship Isodore
If there’s one thing I know about Maine, it has a lot of coastline, add to that a long shipping history and terrible New England weather and you will find yourself talking about ghost ships. Although this is not a Haunted New England trail exactly, it’s still worth the read.
The Isidore left Kennebunkport for New Orleans in November of 1842, crewman Thomas King decided not sail after many nights of terrible nightmares about the ship being lost at sea. In one he had seen seven graves, or seven bodies. He tried to convince the Captain not to make the trip in fear of the dreams but the Captain wasn’t swayed. The Isadore sailed into a storm and crashed onto an island only six miles from port. Only seven bodies were recovered from the wreck, and no one survived. Stories of a ghostly ship being seen near Boon Island and the surrounding waters have persisted since, saying that the ship will disapear into the mist if approached. There’s several companies that charter excursions out to see the Boon Island lighthouse, the tiny, rocky island being a great place to see seals.
Monson Village ghost town, Milford NH
Monson village is now a park offering a glimpse into New Hampshire’s past. It was once the first inland settlement having been established sometime around 1730 and incorporated in 1746. But by 1770 the village was all but abandoned due to harsh conditions for living. You can find information about the park here, as well as this article that describes it as haunted and creepy, seemingly only because it was abandoned in under forty years.
Freetown fall river State forest, freetown MA
If you’ve researched New England haunted trails in for more than thirty seconds chances are you’ve read about Freetown State Forest or the Bridgewater Triangle. The first one residing inside the later the place has been home to every paranormal phenomenon you can think of. The most popular tales of ghosts, bigfoots and aliens, to satanic cults and local legends like the pukwudgie. Spell check doesn’t recognize the last one. There are many websites dedicated to lore of the Bridgewater Triangle, as well as a fiction podcast by Grim and Mild simply called Bridgewater.
Long before I knew what that the area was supposedly haunted, I would drive and mountain bike in the Freetown state forest. Whether the air was actually heavy, or the woods were actually creepy I can’t say for sure. I could simply be projecting new knowledge onto old memories. It will require some time spent back in those woods to decide for myself if the legends hold true.
I got to go back recently and was brought by a friend to some interesting spots near the Copicut reservoir. You can read about that experience here.
Pukwudgie Investigation
Bennington Triangle, Winhall, VT
Much like the Bridgewater Triangle, the Bennington Triangle is home to UFO sightings, bigfoot, disappearances, strange lights and sounds, and Native folklore. Centered on Glastenbury Mtn, this triangle most notably saw five disappearances during the 1940’s and 1950’s. January of 2023 I’ll be at Stratton Mtn for a long weekend ski trip, if I have the opportunity I’ll try to saunter through this area and see what I can see. If this blog is never updated after that, you’ll already know what happened.
Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown CT
Boasting 26,477 acres Pachaug state forest attracts people from all over Connecticut for recreational activities. Camping, hunting, hiking and biking are just a few of the activities you can get into in the park. If you’re lucky, or unlucky, you might become one of many to hear a woman screaming from all around the forest. In the park you can find a colonial era gravesite as well as a legend about a young witch named Maude who still roams the ground, and one of an unfortunate Native American woman killed by colonial settlers more than three hundred years prior. You’ll find plenty of haunted New England trails in this park.
In January of 2023 I took my son out to Pauchaug state forest for a good day hike, the weather was unseasonably warm and made for a great day. We parked at what was essentially an intersection with one road gated shut. From there we did most of the laurel loop trail. I say most because one section was flooded out. We walked up the road until a point that the trail crossed and picked up our hike. There was only a couple hundred feet of elevation in the 3.5 mile hike and it took us less than two hours to complete. The trail passes pretty close to a farm and actually crosses another road near the halfway point. There was also an old farm foundation that we spent some time exploring. Although there were no spirits to be seen or disembodied voices, we did find a colonial era gravesite that was cleared and well kept. Very cool place to hike and would definitely recommend it. You can find that post here.
Crying Rock, RI
I chose not to list the town for the same reason that I debated writing about this site at all, Crying rock is located on sacred Native land and is inaccessible without Tribal authorization. But the legend goes that the tribe would put newborns and infants on the rock when they were sick or unfit, and left to die under onslaught of the elements. Stories go that while in the woods around the large rock outcropping the sounds of children and infants crying can be heard. I learned about the rock on a podcast that I won’t link for previously stated reasons.
Against my better judgement, and even after seeing the signs I tried to find a dedicated trail to this rock. I was asked sternly, but politely to leave with respect to the tribe. Obviously, I did, and I would ask anyone who’s interested enough to search this for themselves, to only pursue this with permission and to respect the land. There are more than enough legends to pursue without disturbing this particular stone.
If you are interested in reading more about the Narragansett tribe and it’s history check out this book.
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