Founding Member of the SRK Greenway

The Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge Greenway community fondly remembers Dan H. Allen, one of our founding members and a guiding force behind the creation and stewardship of the 75-mile Greenway loop that connects our region’s beloved mountains and towns.

Dan passed away on October 3, 2025, at the age of 93, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of adventure, leadership, and love for the outdoors. A resident of New London since 1957, Dan helped shape the SRKG from its earliest days—working with other pioneers like Bill Best and Dick Martin to map, clear, and ultimately walk the first full Greenway circuit in 1994. That inaugural “walkabout,” four days of steady drizzle and muddy miles, set the tone for the trail’s enduring spirit of resilience and camaraderie.

Dan’s hiking résumé was legendary. He climbed all 49 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks in winter twice and a half. He also became one of the first to have completed a winter Appalachian Trail thru-hike, which he did in sections over 10-years finishing his journey in March 2001. At 67, he hiked Denali, reaching the high camp.

Despite these achievements, Dan’s heart remained rooted here at home. As longtime SRK Greenway Board Chair, he was a quiet but steady leader who helped guide trail development, land stewardship, and community engagement. He understood that a trail is more than a path—it’s a part of the community that connects people to nature and to each other.

There will be a service and memorial gathering on Saturday, October 25, 11:00 am, at the New London Historical Society.

In memory of Dan Allen, the family encourages contributions to the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition. May we honor him by keeping our trails open, welcoming others to the woods and treading lightly—just as Dan did.