Three new trails are joining the National Park Service (NPS). The long-established paths now have rare distinctions of National Scenic Trails. They join only a small handful of other trails in the country to have the protection and promotion of the NPS.

The three trails include the Ice Age, New England, and North Country national scenic trails. They include more than 5,500 miles and travel through ten different states.

According to the National Park Service release, “These long-distance corridors are lined with natural beauty and history, connecting people to lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mountains, old growth forests, and historic structures.”

The Ice Age Trail

The Ice Age Trail is located in Wisconsin and covers 1,200 miles. The trail runs from the Minnesota border to the shores of Lake Michigan.

“This is truly momentous for the Ice Age Trail and its thousands of supporters and volunteers,” said Luke Kloberdanz, the CEO of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, in their announcement. “Unit status gives the Trail, and its volunteers, the recognition it duly deserves,” he said.

The trail’s name comes from the fact a glacier formed the path during the last Ice Age.

New England Trail

The New England Trail runs through the Highland Valley of Massachusetts and down into Connecticut. It ends at the Long Island Sound. In total, it runs about 215 miles.

“Big news – the NET is officially a unit of the National Park System,” wrote those who support the trail. “Joining the Appalachian, Potomac Heritage, and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trails, unit status allows for clear, consistent and equitable status for all national scenic trails administered by the National Park Service.”

North Country Trail

The North Country Trail covers 4,800 miles from Vermont into New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota.

The trail made headlines earlier this year when 75-year-old Joan Young completed it for a second time.

The North County Trail is unique. While some parts go through wooded areas, it also goes through dozens of small communities along the way.

At nearly 5,000 miles, the North Country Trail is now the longest National Scenic Trail in the U.S. The distance even beats the well-known Appalachian Trail, which stretches for 2,190 miles.

The National Park Service says they will not immediately change how these trails are managed.

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