Northern New Hampshire has a rich history of recreation, industry, and conservation. Its Crawford Path is the oldest continuously used hiking trail in the country. Berlin was once known globally for its paper industry research. The grand hotels attracted the wealthy and powerful. The landscape inspired the legislation that created our National Forests.

Today, Northern New Hampshire communities are building on this legacy to expand recreation options, diversify their economy, and create new models for local land ownership. This region’s leaders and entrepreneurs are crafting a New Forest Future that makes it a more vibrant and appealing place to live. Here’s some of what the region offers:

• Six microbreweries (and counting) – some nationally recognized
• A backcountry skiing movement attracting hundreds of volunteers
• The highest density of Automated Wood Heat systems in the U.S.
• A historic ski jump being restored for new competitions
• One of the very best restaurants anywhere in the Northern Forest
• Extensive trail networks ideal for mountain biking, ATVs, snowmobiles, and hiking

But Northern New Hampshire also faces the demographic and economic challenges common across the Northern Forest. The near-elimination of the paper industry from this part of New Hampshire has had perhaps the most significant impact – but it also presents opportunities for reinvention and renewal.

Read below about the Center’s efforts to help create a New Forest Future in this beautiful region.