Trail Etiquette

All Trail Users:

Be respectful and courteous to all others you meet on the trails. They may be visiting the area for the first time and unsure of what to expect, or what is expected of them. Be friendly, and offer guidance if needed. Help us keep trail use positive for all involved.

1. Obey  all posted signs and trail regulations.
2. Say “Hello!”
3. Leave no trace.
4. Do not destroy or add additional trail markers.
5. Do not disturb wildlife.
6. Stay on trail, avoid trail widening.
7. Absolutely no motor vehicles should be used where prohibited.
8. If you are leaving prints (hoof, tire, or boot), it is too wet.   Please do not continue.
9. In general horseback riders have the right of way, followed by hikers, then by bikers.
10. Share the trails. If we don’t share, we all will lose!

Equestrians:

Remember that other trail users may not be familiar with horses and horses’ reactions to new experiences. Your horse may be another trail user’s introduction to horses; what you do is a reflection of our local horse community. Cheerfully answer questions about your horse. You are an ambassador for the entire equestrian community.

1. Greet and thank landowners for allowing use of their property.
2. Respect landowners’ privacy (talk softly when passing residences).
3. Leave all gates in the position you find them.
4. Let mountain bikes pass when it is safe to do so. As a rule, they go faster than horses.
5. Please stay off trials when they are wet; if you leave a hoof print, it is too wet.
6. Ride on the edge of fields only unless otherwise indicated.
7. Alert other trail users when you approach from the rear and ask permission to pass.
8. Approach and pass other trail users at a walk.
9. Walk by stabled or pastured animals.
10. Ride single file on the road.
11. Stay off cross country ski tracks.
12. No dogs when riding.
13. Please acknowledge motorists who slow down or stop with a wave or   a thank you.

Walkers/Hikers:

1. Stay to the right, pass on the left.
2. Yield to larger groups.
3. Hikers coming uphill have the right of way. If you’re descending the trail, step aside and give space to the people climbing up.
4. Hikers yield to horses. Slowly and calmly step off trail. If you approach from behind, calmly announce yourself. Horses and other pack stock can frighten easily, so avoid sudden movements or loud noises.
5. Step aside to allow mountain bikers to pass.
6. Stay on the trail. Going off trail can damage the ecosystems that surround the trail.

Mountain Bikers

Be an ambassador for all mountain bikers, be respectful.  Remember that bikers are the newest group on the trails, let’s make sure that bikers will always be welcomed by other trail users and property owners.

1. On the trail hikers have the right of way.  Stop to let them pass, or if approaching from behind slow down and make your presence known before passing.
2. Please slow down to the same speed as a horse when you come up from behind and  say “Hello,” ask the rider if it is okay to pass. You don’t realize how quiet you are and horses are easy to startle. When meeting horses face on, please stop and say “Hi.” It helps the horses to not be frightened and become more accustomed to others on the trail.
3. Please help maintain trails, if you tires are making ruts the ground is too wet.  Walk or carry your bike through wet areas to help preserve the trail system.

For more information and tips on trail riding please visit the New England Mountain Bike Association at NEMBA.org.

Dog Walkers

1. Pick up after your dog and dispose of your bags appropriately.
2. Keep dogs leashed on trails that require dogs be leashed.
3. Make sure your off leash dog is under voice control at all times.
4. Be respectful of leashed dogs in an off leash area. The owners may be training the dog and/or the dogs may be fearful of other dogs. Restrain your dog until they’ve gone by.
5. Call your off leash dog back to you when a horseback rider or bike rider approaches, restrain them and step aside off the trail until the riders have passed.
6. Be aware of children or older people walking in an off leash area. Do not allow your dog to jump on others.