Northern Rail Trail - Merrimack County:
New Hampshire
Trail Map
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Nice trail but rough
By Woodchuck on June 08, 2009
Nice trail for biking but very rough at times. The trail has extensive use by horses and the divots from their hoofs create quite a bit of vibration on a bike. However, with only one major road crossing it is a very enjoyable trail.
Riding the Northern Rail Trail Between Potter Place and Dyer's Crossing in Andover, NH
By aabernhard on May 28, 2009
The two best places to start on the trail are either the restored Potter Place RR Station on the Northwest end or from the Highland Lake Inn www.highlandlakeinn.com near the Southeastern end. Both have parking and bathroom or porta potty facilities. The Inn happens to also be a very good European style place to stay if you are there overnight.

If you start from the Inn, go two miles south through the most beautiful section of the trail to the end at Dyer's Crossing, then turn around and go the full eight miles to Potter Place. There is a convenience store near the Inn and another in Andover, an easy half mile off the trail. Proctor Academy, an independent private high school, is also in Andover. There is a covered bridge and a swimming hole about a mile west of Andover.

From the Potter Place end you can add another 10 miles or so of back paved road riding around Wilmot.

Funds are in hand to extend the trail another two miles toward Franklin in September of '09 and another eight miles toward Danbury in '10.
Start of Trail at Potter Place
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Potter Place (West Andover) to Chance Pond Road, Franklin
Counties: Merrimack
Trail Length: 10 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Bike, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6154024

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other New England rail-trails in RTC's New England Guidebook.